The Meg v Jaws
We decided it was time for a shark-a-palooza and, having missed out on The Meg before it came out on DVD, thought that was a great place to start.
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We were momentarily distracted by something Called Five-Headed Shark Attack, but really, a shark only needs one head to be scary.
Then it seemed the logical thing to take a look back at the movie that started it all - Jaws.
You would think it would be no contest - 2018 versus 1979, high-tech effects versus rubber, epic stylists versus flairs. But you would be wrong.
The Meg was vastly entertaining. Trite, predictable and not particularly original, but entertaining. Classed as a "science-fiction action" film and directed by Jon Turteltaub, it stars Jason Statham as Jonas Taylor, alongside Jessica McNamee and Ruby Rose.
The Meg parallels the original Jaws closely, only on a sci-fi level.
If you are looking to suspend belief (and logic) for a little while, this is the film to choose. Jonas has already had a close encounter with the prehistoric beast known as the megalodon ("the meg"). The problem is, no one believes him.
Sound familiar? You would be right. The Meg parallels the original Jaws closely, only on a sci-fi level. Jonas is part Roy Schieder and part old sea-dog captain, basically going out for a fist fight with a giant shark.
The whole thing would, of course, fall apart if the Meg itself was disappointing. It's not. The movie offers an old-fashioned roller-coaster ride with plenty of moments to grip your partner or the arm of the couch. Memorable moments are the jaws of the beast up against the quiet dome where the child plays, and the enormous shark viewed from the air, slicing through the brightly coloured crowd of inflatably-supported beach-goers. Beautiful stuff.
But it isn't Jaws. Viewing the classic after all these years was not disappointing. Those of you old enough to remember its first outing will remember that people truly did not want to go back in the water after seeing this movie. Children of all ages still recognise the shark's opening beats (na-na, na-na etc) while never even having heard of the movie. It has become synonymous with sharks and danger.
The original Jaws has the true spice of horror. There are bits that may never leave you - the unattached leg, the face coming out from the hull of the boat, the final battle. It's epic.
The Meg v Jaws is not a battle of the same proportions. The Meg is worth watching but barely leaves a bite mark on the original.
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