As a die-hard action movie enthusiast who’s spent countless hours watching Jason Statham kick some serious butt in films like “Crank,” “The Mechanic,” and “The Expendables,” I can confidently say that “The Meg” is an absolute must-watch for any fan of the man himself. Now, I may not be a marine biologist or a shark expert, but I do know a good action flick when I see one, and this movie delivers on all fronts.
On November 22, 2024, the hilariously entertaining shark movie starring Jason Statham, titled “The Meg,” became available on Prime Video just in time for the holiday season. This ‘so-bad-it’s-good’ cinematic treat has continued to delight viewers since its release in 2018, outperforming many of its box office competitors. In 2018, it even spawned a sequel, “Meg 2: The Trench.” In 2025, there are plans for Statham to reprise his role as Jonas Taylor in “The Meg 3: Black Water,” a film that promises even more outlandish stunts and edge-of-your-seat action sequences.
Boasting a witty, dark sense of humor, “The Meg” is a must-watch for fans of Statham action films. This crowd-pleasing blockbuster is particularly famous for Jason Statham engaging in an absurd underwater brawl with a shark, but it also offers numerous hilarious scenes to complement the pulse-pounding shark-hunting sequences. As “The Meg” now swims in the streaming waters of Prime Video, dissecting its best and worst moments will provide insights into the potential direction of the franchise’s future.
What Is The Meg About?
In simple terms, “The Meg” is a science-fiction action film based on the novel by Steve Alten. Directed by John Turtletaub, it revolves around a team of scientists exploring the deepest part of the Pacific Ocean, known as the Marianas Trench. Jason Statham portrays Jonas Taylor, a tough and gruff “rescue diver” investigating a massive sea creature that’s damaging a submarine. After being forced to leave two crew members behind to save himself, Jonas is accused of their deaths and labeled an unstable renegade. This sets the stage for Jonas’ quest to clear his name and regain respect in a movie reminiscent of “Jaws”.
Five years on, research aboard the ship Mana is spearheaded by billionaire Jack Morris, portrayed by Rainn Wilson. Accompanying him are oceanographer Dr. Zhang, played by Winston Chao, his daughter Suyin, Li Bingbing’s role, supervisor Mac, Cliff Curtis, engineers Jaxx and DJ, portrayed by Ruby Rose and Page Kennedy respectively, and medical professional Doctor Heller, Robert Taylor’s character. On the other hand, a competing underwater team led by Jonas’ former spouse Lori, played by Jessica McNamee, consists of The Wall, Ólafur Darri Ólafsson’s role, and Toshi, Masi Oka.
Zhang’s team hires Jonas in Thailand and delves into baffling underwater assaults. At first, they suspect a colossal squid is responsible, but when Jonas tries to rescue Toshi, they uncover the true menace: a Megalodon, also known as “Meg,” an enormous, 75-foot shark that was believed extinct for centuries. With the Meg capable of endangering humans by breaching the “Thermocline” barrier, Jonas plots to eliminate this fearsome creature. Naturally, given that it’s a blockbuster action film starring Jason Statham, this task involves plenty of high-octane combat scenes.
The Meg’s Epic Highs & Lows
Fans of Jason Statham will find themselves chuckling with delight at the campy spectacle that is The Meg. With its ludicrous plot twists, the film straddles the line between being so laughably terrible and so entertainingly good, often embracing a whimsical comedic tone meant to be enjoyed in a lighthearted manner. The hilarious viral trailer scene where a tiny poodle swimming in the ocean spots the terrifying Meg and scampers away in fear is a prime example of this dark humor. The mix of morbid wit and the macabre creature-feature atmosphere makes watching The Meg an enjoyable experience.
After fatally injuring the shark, Jonas and his comrades pause to catch their breaths and rejoice. However, a larger second Megalodon emerges, causing havoc and wiping out most of the crew, including The Wall and Dr. Zhang. With only a handful of survivors left, the film stages an epic confrontation between Jonas and the colossal prehistoric shark that, though absurdly over-the-top, fulfills every Statham enthusiast’s expectations. The climactic battle commences when Mac inquires whether Jonas intends to slay the shark. Jonas replies, “Evolution. I’m going to make it bleed.
Prior to their face-off, Jonas delivers a preposterously amusing remark that encapsulates the film’s ridiculous enjoyment, stating, “‘It’s not just about those you lose; it’s about those you rescue.’
In the climax of the film, it’s clear that Statham delivers the intense action and combat skills fans adore from movies like “Crank,” “The Mechanic,” “The Beekeeper,” “The Expendables,” “Wrath of Man,” and more. Notably, Jonas Taylor finds himself in a thrilling underwater confrontation as he faces off against a colossal shark with nothing but his bare hands when the submersible is ingested. The movie’s final moments are filled with chaotic action that any Statham enthusiast should experience at least once.
Everything Known About ‘The Meg 3’
In the summer of 2018, the movie titled “The Meg” saw incredible success at the box office, raking in a massive $527 million globally against a production budget of around $130-180 million (according to The Numbers). Despite receiving mixed to negative reviews from critics, this underwater thriller led to a sequel in 2023 called “Meg 2: The Trench.” Jason Statham reprised his role as Jonas Taylor, and he performed even more daring stunts in the sequel. Along with Statham, characters Mac and DJ returned for this installment. Similarly, “Meg 2: The Trench” proved to be a financial success, grossing $394 million worldwide on a budget of $140 million, ensuring another sequel would follow.
Despite Warner Bros. not having approved the production of “Meg 3” as of now, the director of “Meg 2”, Ben Wheatley, has shown enthusiasm about revisiting the franchise. He made this statement to Total Film in July 2023.
You’re holding off on discussing it until Meg 2 is released, but I truly hope we can soon! That world has so much more to discover and it’s incredibly rich. Its global aspects are particularly intriguing.
One way of rephrasing this passage is: The cleverness of the first movie lies in its avoidance of the Rush Hour formula. It’s not about East-meets-West confusion; instead, it showcases individuals collaborating, experiencing an ordinary adventure, and just so happen to be from various parts of the world. I believe this approach is appealing to audiences and carries a positive message as well.
In a span of five years between the premieres of the first two “Meg” films, the third installment may not be ready until 2028. Considering Jason Statham’s criticism of the original film’s lighthearted tone and “Meg 2” underperforming financially compared to “The Meg”, it’s speculated that the franchise might not carry on. Nevertheless, fans of Jason Statham should enjoy the entertaining B-movie creature feature on Prime Video as long as they approach it with a bit of humor rather than expecting high production value.
The Meg is available to stream on Prime Video.
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2024-11-29 01:02