Movie Review: 'Meg 2: The Trench'

Talking to the friend I went to see Meg 2: The Trench with after our screening, we naturally got on the topic of the film’s director, Ben Wheatley. With other directors, if you know them, you pretty much know what you’re in for with one of their movies. You know what to expect from a Spielberg or a Scorsese or a Wiseau.Yet, when it comes to Wheatley, you never know what to expect. From the dark comedy of Sightseers, to the acid trip of A Field in England, to the cerebral societal microcosm of High-Rise, to the straight-up action of Free Fire, to a remake of the classic Rebecca, to name a few. Even within a single film you don’t know what to expect. Kill List begins as a typical killers-for-hire tale but pivots dramatically for its final act.While my friend and I wanted to see Meg 2 because we enjoyed the first (me a little more than him) and we love Jason Statham movies (in his words, “I’d go see him fighting a ball of yarn.”), we really just wanted to see what Ben Wheatley would bring to this sequel.Jonas Taylor (Statham) is still working for Zhang Oceanic, the company that operates the Mana One research facility, which is now being run by the founder’s son, Jiuming Zhang (Wu Jing). Jonas is now a widower, as well, taking care of his stepdaughter Meiying (Shuya Sophia Cai) full time. The institute also has a Megalodon that it has raised in captivity since it was a calf.Mana One has continued its research of the trench it sits above despite their first encounter with the ecosystem under the protective thermocline. During one of the research dives, the captive Megalodon breaks free and follows the two vessels into the trench. The subs are forced to enter a previously uncharted zone, and what they find there is something more dangerous than any of the creatures living down there: Greed.Meg 2 is a textbook blockbuster sequel in all the best ways. Stakes are higher, creatures are bigger, characters come back and references are made to the previous film. My friend thought it might be better than the first, but I say they’re on equal footing, mostly because, having just re-watched the original last weekend, I think they’re both a ton of fun.So, how did Wheatley handle what’s essentially his first foray into blockbuster territory? Fan-freakin’-tastic! He was able to keep things just as popcorn fun while simultaneously adding a darker touch. There are a couple character deaths in this that come completely as shocks, and the way they’re executed (no pun intended) adds to their impacts.Besides Statham and Cai, Cliff Curtis and Page Kennedy return from the first, with Kennedy’s character having a perfect arc due to the events of the last film. The new additions to the cast hold their own very well, especially Whoopie Van Raam, Skyler Samuels and Sergio Peris-Mencheta.I’m not going to say much more about Meg 2 other than just go see it!Post-Credit Lowdown:Nothing, except the rap song during them is performed by Page Kennedy, which is kind of cool.