(The) Meg 2: The Trench is based on Steve Alten's novel of the same name and acts as a sequel to his emanating epic, The Meg, and its 2018's big-budget adaptation. Meg 2 is also more than a sharks-attack flick, for once it gets rolling (splashing/biting), it becomes a formidable monster rally, with Jason Statham reprising his role as heroic aquanaut Jonas Taylor, whose Die Hard-ish/Bondian antics are guided by Ben (Time Trumpet) Wheatley's fast-clipped direction and an unpretentious screenplay by Dean Georgaris and Jon and Erich Hoeber.
Though the first part of the movie is defined by corporate espionage and oceanic, Neptune Factor exploration (combined with all the crafty quirks that propel any number of circumstances to go awry), Meg 2 (at least from its human perspective) is really about Taylor doing his damnedest to channel Jaws' Chief Brody (as well as the mighty duo of Quint and Hooper) in a fight against colossal specimens unleashed from a deep, dark trench: apex-megalodons, relentless kronosauruses and a ferocious mega-squid. (Those who don't enjoy such creepy, survivalist hostility would be better off watching some pixie-dusted, wand-whipping effort or better yet, some soft-shell, Disney take on Hans Christian Andersen. Sorry for the bluntness, but that's the way the cookie dissolves in my end of the testosterone-packed pool.)
For the record, Li Bingbing's Suyin Zhang (Meg #1's romantic interest) isn't in this sequel (her character is pronounced dead), leaving her capable, scientific brother, Juiming, played by Wu (Wolf Warrior) Jing to occupy her space, as he keeps a watchful eye over his sister (and Taylor)'s bright daughter, Meiying, played by Shuya Sophia Cai. Cliff (10,000 B.C.) Curtis returns as the conscientious James "Mac" Mackreides, as does Page (Leprechaun: Back 2 tha Hood) Kennedy's gun-tooting good guy, DJ; abetted by Melissanthi Manhut's Rigas, their faithful colleague. Seinna (Resident Evil) Guillory sways in as Ms. Driscoll, an icy, science-department head and Sergio (Rambo: Last Blood) Peris-Mecheta and Skylar (Scream Queens) Samuels are her heartless henchmen. All the characters blend well (including even those not mentioned), and considering that the beasts comprise the prime, supporting cast, that compliment holds substantial weight.
The story speeds its way to a huge, island-resort assault, reminiscent of the recent Piranha reboot and its sequel (with many nods to Jurassic Park and its various chapters, in addition to a little Jaws 2 & 3 for those who may notice), though devoid of the Herschell Gordon Lewis-styled carnage that distinguishes the former set. In Meg 2, the deaths are more so quick and not so gory, much like those of Deep, Blue Sea, but fans of the latter and Topps' Dinosaurs Attack! should appreciate the way it all chomps down.
Meg 2 won't be a contender for a Critics' Choice Award (gasp!), which is good enough reason to see it. It's a high-powered creature feature, pure and simple in most every aspect, and as such, more than fulfills its anti-highbrow purpose. With that said (and against what the snobs may desire), let's hope that the sturdy Statham springs back into gargantua-brawling action for Meg 3!
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