Meg 2: The Trench ★★½

AS FAR as shark films go, 2018’s The Meg was a disappointment.

Plenty of people obviously enjoyed it, but I felt it lacked the expected tension and thrills you’d expect from a genre film with a decent budget.

The same goes for the sequel, Meg 2: The Trench, even though it’s directed by Ben Wheatley who gave us Kill List and Sightseers early in his career.

The advertising promises Jason Statham versus giant prehistoric sharks but that’s only delivered in the final 15 minutes or so.

Following the required scene and character setting, the film spends an inordinate amount of time underwater with characters moving from one location to another and uncovering a plot that will ruin a scientific research project and unleash more megalodons.

The problem is it’s hard to work out exactly what is going on or care when there is barely a threatening shark in sight.

When we do finally get to the promised action it’s fine but without any outstanding elements.

In fact I’ve seen cheap shark movies that achieve the same impact.

The other key problem is the lack of even minimal blood and gore, making the film suitable for more ages but reducing the threat and impact of the shark attack sequences.

I’m definitely in the minority on this one as it’s made a ton of money and there’s no doubt we’ll see a third instalment.