Aug 14, 20232 min read

FILM REVIEW: MEG 2 – THE TRENCH (12A) ESP RATING: 2.5/5

This over-the-top sequel still provides a modicum of mega-shark entertainment – but becomes a little too silly in the final third.

It undoubtedly ticks all the right boxes for Saturday night popcorn-crunching action thrills, but sadly the Meg 2 is pretty much ‘Meg-free’ for the first half. And even silly prehistoric creatures, known as ‘Snappers’ and a giant octopus, almost outshine them.

Jason Statham’s highly-skilled rescue diver Jonas Taylor is back, this time aiding the entrepreneurial brother, Jiuming Zhang (Wu Jing), of (the now-deceased) Suyin from the first film, on an exploration mission – which includes his step-daughter Meiying (the returning Shuya Sophia Cal) – to The Trench at the bottom of the ocean.

But when they come across an illegal mining operation (led by Sergio Peris-Mencheta’s mercenary Montes) their submersibles get caught in an explosion, leading to the team using ‘exosuits’ to get across the sea floor to reach a mysterious station. Unfortunately for everyone involved there are three massive Megalodons circling above – and several terrifying new species for them to tackle in the process.

Above water, on the marine rig Mana One, Taylor’s pals from the original – Cliff Curtis’s Mac and Page Kennedy’s DJ – have to try and deal with sabotage as they attempt a rescue mission, but a thermocline rupture – much like in the first film – unleashes all these creatures towards the surface.

Which means the inhabitants of nearby Chinese resort Fun Island – again, much like in the first film – are about to have a very bad day.

And again, much like in the first film (repeat) Taylor and co will have to come up with preposterously far-fetched ways to take down the Megalodons – and these new creatures – to save the day.

Which is done in a generally entertaining way – with a few comedic ‘death’ moments thrown in – even though as a whole, it’s a ‘shade’ below the original.

So, if you liked The Meg, then Meg 2: The Trench quite literally chomps out more of the same – just in a more ridiculous fashion.

ESP Rating: 2.5/5

Gavin Miller