Does this Sharknado on steroids sink or swim? There is exceptional cinematography above and below the surface. And plenty of surprise visits from the animatronic prehistoric Megaolodon. What a beast!
It is believed there actually was such a shark 23 to 2.6 million years ago, in the Cenozoic Era. And around the time of release of this film, a tooth believed to be from such an animal was found in Australia. But they’re definitely extinct. No fear of meeting up with one now. This is just a movie for Sci-fi thrill seekers, Sharknadoand Jaws fans.
Director Jon Turteltaub (National Treasure: Book of Secrets) reels you in with Bloody action and adventure for the first two thirds of this movie, but, after that, it gets pretty silly and sappy, including a romance, but not with the toothy Mega fish.
The script was written by Dean Georgaris and Jon and Erich Hoeber based on the novel by Steve Alten, which was picked up by Disney in the 1990’s. After it floundered, Warner Bros. took over. It cost $150 million to make this film. most of it was shot in New Zealand. A big part of the budget went for special effects, especially to make the Meg. It’s scary enough. A real Megalodon was thought to be 60 to 75 feet long with a mouth that could chomp a whale in half!
It begins with a rescue mission of a sunken submarine in the Philippines led by Jonas, (Jason Statham). When it goes south, he’s forced to leave his buddies behind who die. That makes him quit, cold turkey.
Years later, he is brought out of boozy retirement with an offer he can’t refuse. His ex-wife, Lori, (Jessica McNamee – Battle of the Sexes) is working on a research project in Thailand. She is to break through a cloudy area on the bottom of the ocean that may allow exploration deeper than anyone has gone before. Jonas has the experience needed to help.
The project is led by scientists, Zhang (Winston Chao) and Suyin (BingBing Li). They are father and daughter. The project is banked by a high rolling venture capitalist named Harris looking for notoriety and a bang for his buck. Rainn Wilson (The Office, Super) plays Mr. Money Bags very snippy and quippy. Wilson is funny at times, obnoxious at others, but he does add some humor to lighten things up when things get too tense or scary.
Suyin has an adorable daughter, Meiying (Shuya Sophia Cai) who also keeps it light, except when she’s in danger. She aptly states that “8-year-olds know everything.” She provides added tension when her curiosity puts her in the wrong place at the right time.
There are some current references that spark this shark script. One about Shark Week is well placed. So is Jason Stratham saying “just keep swimming, just keep swimming…” a la Finding Nemo, while trying to out swim the monstrous shark.
We found the visuals of the ocean lab and it’s interior hallways kind of like a Star Trek for on the ocean, with big windows into the underwater world instead of into space. Have to give credit for set design by Grant Major ( X-Men- Apocalyse, Lord of the Rings, King Kong).
It gets really crazy when the Megalodon goes for the beautiful Suyin in the shark cage and also in the submersible. You may recognize a version of the familiar Jaws theme for effect. Jonas becomes her savior and, of course, there’s a gratuitous scene where she enters his cabin when he’s just come out of the shower able to show off his 12-pack.
Their relationship grows with a nudge from Suyin’s cute daughter. This is where it got more like a soap opera. But the massive scenes of trying to keep the Megalodon from attacking a cast of thousands on the Sunja Bay Beach and a bridal party on a yacht, reel you in once again.
It was shot on China’s island province of Hainan. The rest of the movie was shot in New Zealand, against a huge green screen in a soccer-field-size water tank. The overhead shot of a Paddle boarder with the shadow of the beast swimming beneath bring back the feel of Jaws. Then the mayhem in the water of everyone trying to get back to the beach as the shark attacks has scary, but also some ridiculously funny moments.
And the bride’s little doggie who goes overboard creates some pathos and fun. It’s size compared to the Meg is ridiculous, but you pull for the dog anyway.
This is not a great movie, but if you liked Jaws and Shark Week, you’ll probably want to dive right in.
Warner Bros. 1 hours 53 minutes PG – 13
