The new shark-based action thriller “The Meg” epitomizes the definition of a “popcorn movie.”
“The Meg” is a big, flashy production that recalls amusing event films of the 1990s like “Twister” and “Jurassic Park.”
“The Meg” follows the exploits of Jonas Taylor (Jason Statham). In the prologue of the movie, Taylor — a naval officer — is part of a botched submarine rescue attempt where an “unknown force” in the Mariana Trench forced him to abandon crew members.
Five years later, we follow a billionaire named Jack Morris (Rainn Wilson) as he visits an underwater research facility (Mana One) he funds. Dr. Minway Zhang (Winston Chao) and his daughter Suyin (Bingbing Li) are overseeing a mission to explore what is believed to be a hidden section of the Mariana Trench — located below a layer of hydrogen sulfide.
The mission is led by Jonas Taylor’s ex-wife Lori (Jessica McNamee). The trip starts off normally, but things soon go awry when the crew comes in contact with a large sea creature.
Before long, the “powers that be” at the research station arm twist Taylor (who is living in Thailand) to go on a rescue mission to save the lost scientists.
What follows is a series of events that unleash a giant, pre-historic shark (a carcharodon megalodon) from the depths of the Mariana Trench.
“The Meg” will never be mistaken for high art, but it is a tremendous amount of fun.
While watching the movie, my buddy Scott and I found ourselves looking at each other saying, “They’re gonna need a bigger boat!”
Part of the reason for the buoyant feel has to do with some solid visual effects sequences and judicious editing.
“The Meg” was directed by Jon Turteltaub. He helmed the “National Treasure” franchise (two movies I really liked). He has a penchant for taking pedestrian material and turning it into something light, enjoyable, and eminently watchable.
Earlier this week I finished Steve Alten’s novel “The Meg” (read my review). Even though the book felt like a ready-made screenplay, the movie adaptation varies significantly from Alten’s novel.
That fact didn’t limit my enjoyment of the big-screen version of “The Meg.”
There are some fun bits in the movie.
I won’t give anything away, but there is a sequence involving “Pippin The Yorkie” (where the pooch is trapped alone in Sanya Bay). The dog’s exploits in the movie have prompted a #savepippin hash on Twitter, and “The Meg” movie’s official Twitter put this graphic out yesterday:
There are also a number of cute moments between Suyin’s daughter Meiying (Sophia Cai) and Jonas Taylor — inevitably a move to soften Statham’s macho exterior.
If you are looking for a good time at the movies, head to your local multiplex, grab a tub of buttery popcorn, check your brain at the door, and see “The Meg” — a ridiculous movie worth diving into on the big screen.
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