When Jason Statham first went head-to-head with the Megalodon in 2018, it felt to me like it was okay if it’s the last time we see Jonas Taylor because there was really nowhere else this can go.

It wasn’t a bad movie. But it wasn’t that great either.

Its sequel, however, is a different matter. Ben Wheatley’s Meg 2: The Trench seems to have sunk its teeth right where it needs to.

Jonas Taylor is summoned back to help a team of marine explorers and scientists to investigate an unusual activity down in the trench–an untouched territory for men. They soon find themselves trapped hundreds of feet below sea level

The science-fiction action-adventure movie boasts of a high entertainment value and a more riveting storyline. Plus an ensemble cast with the perfect chemistry.

In the first Meg movie, Statham demonstrated outlandish stunts and literally carried the film on his shoulders. This time around, he found some capable allies in Wu Jing, Page Kennedy and Cliff Curtis (who reprise their roles as DJ and Mac, respectively) as well as Melissanthi Mahut.

What the first movie lacked in charm and comedy was well-compensated in The Trench. Each one in the cast managed to own the scenes they were in. There were a lot of scenes that made the audience burst into laughter in the middle of being terrified of the mayhem unfolding on the screen.

The chemistry here is so palpable the cast sometimes takes the focus away from the terror and tickles the audience with their antics. The comedy is as natural as the action element here, which is why I think Statham should leave the Fast franchise and become his own Dominic Toretto. This group looks like they can sustain a successful franchise.

I mean, the beach attack scene alone is the perfect blend of campy comedy, jaw-dropping action and seat-jerking jump scares. That sequence, I think, is what made the movie more endearing to the audience.

The action scenes here were just as outlandish but they were definitely delightful to watch. And since we have a bigger (and possibly more?) megalodon, you can count on more outrageous stunts from Jonas Taylor.

Meg 2 is so much fun to watch it wouldn’t be surprising if another installment swims over our way.

Meg 2: The Trench is now showing in Philippine cinemas.

Watch the trailer here:

^{Photo and video credits: Warner Bros. Pictures}