“The Meg” was filmed by Jon Turteltaub in 2018, and is based upon a novel by Steve Alten. The film even though it is often related to “sci-fi” and “horror, is actually a typical popcorn action movie with Jason Statham.
Anyway, the film tells about a team of scientists financed by an eccentric billionaire who discover that the Mariana Trench is much deeper than it was believed before. This layer covers a whole new ecosystem, and to research it, scientists send a submersible with a team of three people. When they penetrate the layer, they witness a rich variety of unique flora and fauna that has developed under the layer. However, soon after the discovery, the submersible is attacked by a huge squid–which, in its turn, gets attacked by a megalodon, an extinct species of shark with big teeth. The submersible is heavily damaged. During a lifesaving operation, there were some with tragic consequences.
“The Meg” is a distilled action film–and I would even say it could serve as a decent example of how action films should be made. Almost every minute of the film is packed with events, and a few calm episodes only serve as transitions between intense action. There was no such moment when I would feel like the film was boring or slow: “The Meg” is packed with action up to the top.
I also enjoyed the visual aspect of the film. Mysterious underwater landscapes, enormous beasts, the megalodon–there is quite a lot to see in “The Meg.” All the action scenes are filmed masterfully, utilizing dynamic angles and perspective, which helps convey drama and pumps adrenaline in the moments when it was needed. Add nice 3D effects and you get a spectacular film to watch.