*In a movie marketplace in which theater chains are increasingly dependent on blockbuster tentpoles to draw crowds, how does “The Meg” – the umpteenth shark movie since “Jaws” brought about the age of the modern blockbuster in 1975 – cut through crowded cineplexes and make itself an event movie?
By going bigger – if not necessarily better.
Yes, in order to differentiate itself from being “just another ‘Jaws’ ripoff” – even the widow of “Jaws’ author Peter Benchley said recently that she is tired of seeing sharks “demonized” – decided to eschew having a Great White or any modern sharks.
Instead, “The Meg” plays like an underwater version of “Jurassic Park” and other dinosaur movies. The shark the heroes in the film have to contend with is a Megalodon, a shark that at 59 feet long looks like something out of Greek myth.
Despite reportedly going extinct 2.6 million years ago, there are some biologists and paleobiologists and other scientists who feel that with so much of the ocean still unexplored by man, it is possible the Megalodon still survives.
Which brings us to the movie and it’s 22-year journey to get to the big screen, which included Disney owning the rights for a while, before finally landing at Warner Brothers.
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“Jason Statham vs Giant Shark is worth watching on the biggest screen”- #TheMeg – in theaters TONIGHT. Get tickets NOW: https://t.co/ZuNW8NdMuD pic.twitter.com/wBX3E3xrwe
— The Meg Movie (@MegMovie) August 9, 2018
So did WB and director Jon Turteltaub make an enjoyable film? Did they make a memorable classic?
Yes and no.
The weakest part of “The Meg” is a pretty generic, paint-by-numbers script by Dean Georgaris, Jon Hoeber and Erich Hoeber. in which none of the characters feel fully fleshed out and there are no surprises.
Pacing early on is an issue as well. There is an important event that sets up the rest of the film – involving Jason Statham’s Jonas Taylor character has to sacrifice members of his team in order to save some – and he is the only one who saw the Megalodon. Wracked by guilt and called a coward, Taylor goes into exile until his ex-wife Lori (Jessica McNamee) is running out of air after a “Large object” hits her underwater ship.
This should all be exciting and have impact, but feels extremely rushed, instead. Early on, the characters come off as cliches, as well.
About halfway through things change and you start caring for the characters.
A huge part of this is “The Meg” is diversity done right. A week from when the much more hyped “Crazy Rich Asians” is released in hopes that its Asian representation will lead to more roles and projects for that demo, “The Meg” has three major Asian characters: Dr. Minway Zhang ( Winston Chao) is in charge of the project; his daughter Suyin Zhang (Li Bingbing) also figures prominently in the mission and later the action. There is also a goofy, brilliant Asian character named Toshi (Masi Oka), which never come across as offensive because his other teammates are an equally silly Caucasian and Black man.
“It was incredible, big, loud and fun” #TheMeg – in theaters NOW. Get tickets: https://t.co/ZuNW8MWbD5 pic.twitter.com/yh7UQdtEPw
— The Meg Movie (@MegMovie) August 9, 2018
As the story progresses the camaraderie grows. However, the real standout is Li. More than capable, she has a presence and chemistry with Statham – which “The Meg” unfortunately never lets them act on. Because it’s 2018 or something.
Statham is having fun, although, in the end, he’s playing himself. It is a shame that this cast and concept did not get a stronger script.
But just when you’re ready to write “The Meg” off as a B-movie, we are treated to thrills, spills, tragedy, suspense, a meg that truly feels like a force of nature, some of Statham’s most memorable moments in film and an awesome conclusion.
If “The Meg” had been at that level throughout it’s entire 113 minute running time, we would have an all-time classic. As it is, “The Meg” is definitely worth checking out in the theater – preferably on as big a screen as possible.
Grade: B
