The Meg

I fairly enjoy this although I'd say Jon Turtletaub films have been better I don't get why this was basically launched into a black hole and chewed out into another dimension, I have fun. Maybe Meg 2 will do better at least critically. The Meg is plenty entertaining at least enough for a decent rating maybe you could say Jason Statham has been in better but at least he's a professional swimmer that I appreciate anything done by the actor for sure! I love Rainn Wilson he's awesome in anything he's been in even when he's a numb skull that makes ridiculous mistakes. I do notice the dialogue is a bit of a mess that's probably part of the hate but I enjoy The Meg for what it is, pretty good entertainment that you can have a nice treat with!

But wow, did the studio ever screw this one up! I've been waiting YEARS for the movie, I'm one of the first to get the newest book in the series and this had SO MUCH POTENTIAL! Between what I think was intended to be a family friendly edited version of the film to the absolute horrible marketing campaign, what were they thinking!?! Why would you preemptively turn away half your potential audience by taking a comical route with the trailers? It's meant to be a THRILLER not Sharknado. Why would you not give us terrifying scenes of being eaten/swallowed/pulled under, it's a SHARK movie, genre equals HORROR. I was so wanting to love this movie and hopeful it would turn into a franchise but with the direction the studio chose to go with it, they sank Meg before she even had a chance breach the waters. SO VERY DISAPPOINTED.

16 reviews, and half are all a fake high-rated single review of this film - makes me shake my head why the producers think their viewers are dumb and wont see thru the fakes. All it takes is one click to see the only single review from the poster. Don't get me started on the moronic review from halil-92019: "Playing computer games makes kids smarter?"

This film had it's moments, but it was nothing spectacular. The best parts were the cinematography, visuals and directing. The story itself has been done so many times, making the shark prehistoric doesn't add anything to the imagination. The writers needed to up this a few levels and not rely on Statham (who was great as always) to bring in the moviegoers into the theater. The 103 min length felt a little long, but the pacing good enough to keep you interested, although it was missing that constant extra thrill and suspense I expected. Instead, I cringed at the cheesy 1 liners and poor attempt at humor - most executed at the wrong time.

It's an honest deserving score of only 6/10 from me.

7.4 stars.

I rate all movies by entertainment value first and foremost. Is this a cheesy film? Of course. Is it as good as Jaws? Nobody is trying to accomplish such an absurdity.

This is a story about a very courageous and heroic guy played by Statham who is called out on a rescue because he is the only man for the job. He also has to prove it to a bunch of scientists just once for them to realize "oh yeah, this guy is the best". And so he has to do some crazy rescue stunts, putting his life in danger over and over.

The marine scientists have discovered a megalodon, which is basically a prehistoric shark that is 5 times the size of a great white (give or take). They have explored beyond the boundaries of where humans have ever been and these dinosaur-like sharks inhabit that depth of the trench. Now they have to contend with the shark(s).

'The Meg' fits the bill for any creature feature film, but the bonus is Jason Statham. In my opinion, he alone raises the bar for this type of film at least a couple of levels beyond most of the generic movies and this is a refreshing take on the genre. A few of the characters are developed just enough to like. There is also a bit of comic relief and some shady characters too. All the ingredients are present and accounted for. This is an enjoyable ride, no concentration or deep thinking is necessary.

Granted, The Meg is dumb. Jason Statham takes on a giant shark from below what scientists thought was the bottom of the Marianas Trench. You know how it's going to end because Jason Statham doesn't ever lose. Even when faced with one or more enormous sharks

Great special effects cover for some sketchy acting - not that anyone watches these sorts of movies for acting - and some of the expected action movie tropes (like my personal favourite: someone getting killed gloating about their victory after they think the threat is over) in what is a fun film if you like giant creature movies and Jason Statham. One of those movies to not over-think.

Definitely not a masterpiece, but definitely enjoyable.