THE MEG is the latest movie in Hollywood's obsession with killer shark movies; this ranks beneath the likes of JAWS and even DEEP BLUE SEA, although it's moderately entertaining as a one-off watch. If you're looking for quality in the genre these days then I'd recommend going for the lower-budgeted likes of THE REEF or BAIT. THE MEG follows the fortunes of the crew of a scientific base in the middle of the ocean when they accidentally reawaken a megalodon from its prehistoric slumber; this massive shark proceeds to dominate and eat all and sundry. This is a co-production between Hollywood and China, so expect Chinese supporting actors and more than a little propaganda. Jason Statham does his action man routine with ease and is given able support from an up-for-it cast, while the action scenes are certainly larger-than-life, although with all the CGI they're hardly realistic. An undercurrent of humour makes some of the more ludicrous scenes easier to swallow. It's hardly great, but it does the job as a piece of switch-off-the-brain viewing.
Review of The Meg
