The Meg - Mega fun

I always feel that the best films always ask questions of their audiences. 'The Meg' poses a real 'thinker' of a conversation piece in, 'Who would win out of a fight between a prehistoric, giant shark and Jason Statham?' Actually, it's not much of a brainteaser - I think we all know that it would take more than an aquatic, hungry dinosaur to stop 'The Stath.' But it's still fun to watch the fight go down.

Yes, our very own British hardman Jason Statham plays, er, well kind of the same character he always does, but with one important twist - this time he's in the water!  Anyway, he's a diver (sort of) who rescues people.  Then he loses a load of people to Davey Jones' Locker and retired.  Then a load of other people get stuck at the bottom of the ocean and - guess what - he's the only bald man who can get them out of their watery grave.  And then a giant shark starts eating people.

Come on…  you've seen the posters and the marketing for this movie.  What are you expecting?  Something deep and meaningful with great dialogue and moving character arcs that question the very nature of human existence?  No, if you're thinking about watching this then you basically like daft, fun B-movie-esque films which are just there to entertain.  And entertain you this will.

The Stath is the only real character you'll care about, however fans of the American 'Office' will probably recognise Rainn Wilson, as the billionaire who owns the ocean base most of the action centres around.  The other characters are - predictably - there to, quite literally, dangle themselves in the path of rows of huge teeth.

Before I watched 'The Meg' I did see a lot of other reviews mention how it was a bit 'tonally' all over the place.  Now, I do have to agree.  The film is at its best when it's not taking itself seriously and knows that it's just a daft (and yet epic) B-movie of a monster.  However, there are parts where it does try to exceed its reach and inject some heavy drama into the action.  This just feels a bit forced and could have been taken out so that the audience just either laughs OR cries, rather than trying to work the two in together.

It's basically a B-movie with a budget that's been (cleverly?) marketed as an A-list outing.  And it seems to have worked.  It's great fun and hopefully there are schools more aquatic terrors for The Stath to punch squarely in the face.  Leave the logical part of your brain at the door and just enjoy this for what it is.

7/10 if I woke up on Groundhog Day and had to watch this again, I could live with that