Meg 2: The Trench Review: A Deep Dive into Disappointment

I will get you Meg 2: The Trench is the highly anticipated sequel to the 2018 monster thriller The Meg. Promising to plunge audiences into the depths of the ocean once more, this film reunites Jason Statham as the fearless Jonas Taylor as well as some familiar faces such as Sophia Cai, Page Kennedy, and Cliff Curtis. Despite the potential for thrilling underwater adventures and epic battles with menacing sea creatures, The Trench fails to live up to its predecessor’s excitement and falls short in multiple aspects.

The Bad:

From the opening scene, Meg 2 sets a tone of claustrophobic tension as the team embarks on their mission to explore the uncharted trench. The underwater visuals are visually impressive, with the CGI capturing the mystique of the deep ocean. However, the film struggles to maintain this level of visual splendor throughout its runtime. As the narrative progresses, the novelty of underwater exploration starts to wane, leaving viewers yearning for something more captivating.

The characters in Meg 2 suffer from a lack of development, which is disappointing given the potential of the talented cast. Jason Statham, as the returning hero Jonas Taylor, seems to be on autopilot, delivering the same tough-guy performance as in the previous installment. His character lacks depth, and his interactions with the new team members feel forced and uninspired.

Wu Jing’s character, Jiuming, a skilled oceanographer, initially shows promise as an intellectual counterpart to Jonas Taylor. However, he is ultimately reduced to a mere sidekick, deprived of any significant impact on the story. Sophia Cai’s Meiying Zhang, the youngest member of the team, serves as the obligatory “genius child,” but her role feels like a token addition rather than a meaningful contribution.

Page Kennedy’s DJ attempts to provide comic relief, but his humor often falls flat and feels out of place, disrupting the film’s overall tone. Similarly, Cliff Curtis’s James “Mac” Mackreides lacks the commanding presence required for a character in his position. These underdeveloped characters fail to create a compelling emotional connection with the audience, making it challenging to root for their survival or feel invested in their fates.

The script of Meg 2 is one of its weakest aspects. The plot suffers from predictability, with its beats feeling recycled from other creature features. The malevolent mining operation, while initially intriguing, becomes a clichéd plot device that leads to a standard “good vs. evil” conflict. The film relies too heavily on cheap jump scares, diminishing the tension and suspense that should have been the movie’s forte.

Moreover, the narrative pacing is uneven, alternating between sluggish exposition and rushed action sequences. This imbalance leaves little room for character development or a deeper exploration of the ocean’s mysteries. The script also fails to address several plot holes, leaving viewers with unanswered questions by the film’s conclusion.

The Good:

On a positive note, the action sequences in Meg 2 are intense and engaging. The showdowns with the monstrous sea creatures provide some thrilling moments that attempt to redeem the film. However, these brief highlights are insufficient to compensate for the overall lackluster experience.

The cinematography and visual effects elevate Meg 2 to a certain extent, capturing the vastness and beauty of the underwater world. The creature design is menacing, and the CGI is generally well-executed, giving life to the ancient marine predators. Nevertheless, the reliance on computer-generated imagery at times makes the action feel detached from reality, reducing the impact of the perilous situations the characters face.

The film’s soundtrack, composed by Harry Gregson-Williams, complements the tense atmosphere with haunting melodies and pulsating beats. It effectively amplifies the suspense during crucial moments, enhancing the movie’s eerie ambiance.

Overall:

Meg 2: The Trench struggles to live up to the excitement of its predecessor. Despite its potential for thrilling underwater escapades and a talented cast, the film falls short in character development, narrative originality, and emotional engagement. While visually striking at times, the lack of substance and repetitive plot hinder its ability to make a lasting impact. Fans of the original might find a few redeeming qualities, but ultimately, this movie is a disappointing deep-sea adventure that fails to reach the depths it aspired to explore.