Director: Jon Turteltaub
Starring: Jason Statham, Li Bingbing, Rainn Wilson, Ruby Rose, Cliff Curtis
Genre: Action / Sci-Fi / Creature Feature
Runtime: 113 minutes
Release Date: August 10, 2018 (USA)
The Meg dives into the depths of underwater horror and action with a story as outrageous as it is entertaining. Based on Steve Alten’s novel Meg: A Novel of Deep Terror, the film centers around a prehistoric monster — the Megalodon, a 75-foot-long extinct shark that resurfaces from the hidden depths of the ocean.
When an international deep-sea research team becomes trapped after disturbing the Meg in the Mariana Trench, deep-sea rescue diver Jonas Taylor (Jason Statham) is called in for a high-stakes mission. What follows is a wild, over-the-top creature feature that blends science fiction, horror, and popcorn entertainment.
-
Jason Statham vs. Giant Shark: Let’s be honest — the biggest draw is watching action star Jason Statham take on a prehistoric shark. He commits fully, adding a level of charm and believability to a wildly implausible scenario. His performance grounds the film in just enough seriousness to work.
-
Fun, Not Fear: Unlike Jaws or The Shallows, The Meg doesn’t aim for genuine terror. It’s a big-budget B-movie with slick effects, light humor, and fast pacing. Audiences looking for monster-movie fun will find plenty of splashy thrills.
-
Visual Effects & Set Pieces: The underwater visuals and megalodon sequences are polished and imaginative. From the eerie beauty of the deep trench to chaotic beach attacks, the film delivers spectacle on a blockbuster scale.
-
Global Appeal: With a cast that includes Chinese superstar Li Bingbing and settings in Asia, the film was clearly made with an international audience in mind. This global scope helped The Meg become a financial success worldwide.
-
Shallow Characters (Pun Intended): Most characters are thinly written and rely on clichés — the techie, the comic relief billionaire, the brave little girl, etc. There’s little emotional depth or development.
-
Predictable Plot: The story follows a formulaic path. If you've seen one shark movie, you’ll likely know when characters will die, who will survive, and when the shark will strike.
-
Tonal Inconsistency: The film sometimes can't decide whether it wants to be campy fun or serious thriller. The lack of a consistent tone may disappoint viewers expecting more horror or satire.
-
Rotten Tomatoes: 46% critics / 43% audience
-
Metacritic: 46/100
-
Box Office: Over $530 million worldwide, making it a surprise summer hit
-
Audience Reaction: While critics were mixed, many audiences embraced The Meg for what it was — a big, loud, ridiculous thrill ride.
The Meg isn’t deep or groundbreaking, but it knows exactly what it’s trying to be — a fun, ridiculous creature feature for fans of sharks, explosions, and Jason Statham being Jason Statham. It’s not Jaws, but it doesn’t try to be. It’s best enjoyed with popcorn, a sense of humor, and your brain turned down just a notch.
