‘The Meg’ is Fun
It’s not Jaws, but it doesn’t need to be.
When a group of scientists descends to the bottom of the ocean, they encounter a predator they weren’t ready for: the Megalodon (aka the Meg).
I had a ton of fun watching The Meg. This film follows all of the normal beats that you’d expect it to, and it does so convincingly. The equation of a giant predator chasing a group of people is thrilling. It’s a formula that just works, and I feel like this film really capitalizes on it.
Jason Statham plays the film’s hero, Jonas, an elite deep-sea diver with a troubled past who has to swoop in and save the day when things go badly for his former team. It seems like this part was written for Statham because it’s the perfect blend of action hero, no-nonsense guy with a good heart, and a man haunted by his past. He’s able to bring his natural charm, charisma, and wit while also doing crazy stunts like battling a shark. It’s a great combination.
Like every effective monster movie, The Meg is constantly setting up the stakes and building tension. Toward the beginning of the film, we go deep into the ocean with the team of researchers. There’s this moment where we can see in the trench, and it’s gorgeous and terrifying all at once. The Meg does a good job of highlighting the allure, mystery, and horror of the ocean.
