Skip to main content

New Release Birb: The Meg

The Meg
Starring: Jason Statham and a Megalodon
Directed by John Turteltaub
US Release Date: 10 August 2018
My First Viewing: 9 August 2018

 There are three types of bad movies. Either it's so bad it's good, just plain awful, or has good intentions but fell short of expectations. The new Jason Statham action film The Meg falls in category number three. 

 Statham stars as Jonas, a deep sea diver who, after a traumatic incident that left two of his companions dead, has holed himself up in Thailand. When a new crew of divers led by Jonas' ex-wife Lori (Jessica McNamee) is stranded after an unknown entity attacks their submarine, Jonas is called back into duty by the Zhang Corporation led by ex-partner Mac (Cliff Curtis) and Zhang (Winston Chao). What attacked the sub? It's a Megalodon. The once-thought extinct 70-foot sea predator is on the prowl, and it's up to Jonas and the rest of the Zhang team to stop it.

 What works in the film is Statham as Jonas playing the role you usually see Statham play in any action movie he stars in. You pay to see Statham kick some butt, whether it be bad guys or in this case, a 70-foot shark. The young actress playing Zhang's granddaughter (Shuya Sophia Cai) is the highlight of most if not all of the best comedic moments. However, the film lacks a sense of direction where shaving off twenty minutes from its bloated 113-minute runtime could have made it a tighter film. The character of Lori isn't even necessary, only serving as a bridge for Jonas to fall for Zhang's daughter Suyin (Bingbing Li), as well as a motivator for Jonas to agree to this mission. 

 It's obvious that this is not a film catered toward an American audience. Carrying a reported $150M budget, it is all but banking that it will make heaps of cash in the Chinese market. If you're looking for a fun time and like watching Statham in action, check out this movie. Just go in with lowered expectations.

 The Meg is rated PG13 for shark violence and frightening moments, also involving sharks. What are your thoughts? Follow me on facebook and instagram and let me know what you thought. 

 -birb

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Movie Birb Presents: My 18 Favorite Films of 2018- Part One

Movie Birb Presents:  My 18 Favorite Films of 2018 Part One- Honorable Mentions 2018 has been an amazing year for film, and for myself personally. By years end I will have seen over 160 motion pictures released in the 2018 calendar year, by far the most I have seen in one year. Being able to see so many films, write this blog, and communicate with everyone on social media has given me perspectives on films that I may not have seen previously, the way I watch films, and how to voice my opinion. This list is my personal opinion of what are my   favorite  films of 2018 are, and not what I think are the   best.  The list of honorable mentions is all of the films that I rated four-stars or higher that did not make my top 18. Without further ado, here are my honorable mentions for my favorite films of 2018. Four-Star Honorable Mentions Shoplifters-  Hirokazu Koreeda, Director Aquaman-  James Wan, Director Mary Poppins Returns-  Rob Marsha...
Post a Comment
Read more

Best Picture Birb- Get Out

Get Out Starring: Daniel Kaluuya and Allison Williams Written and Directed by Jordan Peele US Release Date: February 24, 2017 Most Recent Viewing: March 3, 2018 Image Credit: movieposter.com Nominated for four Academy Awards (including Best Actor and Best Picture), Get Out is the directorial debut of Key & Peele star Jordan Peele, who also produced and wrote the screenplay.  Part horror-thriller, part social commentary on race in our society, Get Out  tells the story of the relationship between Chris (Daniel Kaluuya) and Rose (Allison Williams), and their dynamic when Rose brings Chris to meet her family for the first time. Bradley Whitford, Catherine Keener, and Caleb Landry Jones play Rose's parents and siblings.  This is so much more than your standard horror fare, and I am so happy that the Academy honored this film with as many nominations as it did. Blumhouse Productions, who have their hands in many of the big horror franchises on the last decade p...
Post a Comment
Read more

Best Picture Birb- Darkest Hour

Darkest Hour Starring: Gary Oldman, Lily James, and Kristin Scott Thomas Directed By Joe Wright US Release Date: November 22nd, 2017 Most Recent Viewing: March 3rd, 2018 Image Credit: movieposter.com Nominated for six Academy Awards, including Best Actor (Gary Oldman) and Best Picture, Joe Wright's Darkest Hour follows the days after Winston Churchill became Prime Minister amidst the pressure of Hitler's advance France and Great Britain during World War II. This is a good movie that is elevated to a great one on the back of Oldman's performance of Churchill. He is unrecognizable in the role, which takes talent. When actors play historical figures, it appears as the actor playing the figure. That is not the case here. From the first time you see him on screen, you see Churchill, not Oldman.  The cinematography, score, and costume design also add to the appeal of the film. Joe Wright has a knack for long shots and interesting camera work, and you feel a real ten...
Post a Comment
Read more