Meg 2: The Trench 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Review

"Meg 2: The Trench" in its 4K UHD Blu-ray format exemplifies the peak of visual fidelity. The 2160p HEVC encode, paired with HDR10 and Dolby Vision high dynamic range grading, ensures a robust and mesmerizing viewing experience. This sci-fi action-adventure film, shot digitally with Sony CineAlta Venice cameras and finalized at a 2K digital intermediate, offers a highly textured transfer that uncovers minute details in backgrounds, fabrics, and facial features. Primary colors showcase bold vibrance, while the rich combination of sepia and gradational gray tones in the underwater trench sequences provides an eye-catching contrast. The pristine visuals do justice to both above-water scenarios, marked by lush tropical locales that radiate vivid hues, and the more subdued, bioluminescent encounters underwater.

The film’s visual presentation excels through its meticulous handling of depth, contrast, and color variance. The Dolby Vision grading brings out deep blacks and crisp whites, offering a spectacular dynamic range. Dark scenes exhibit strong shadow detail devoid of noise; underwater sequences in particular benefit from refined encoding that prevents banding or compression artifacts. However, some instances of CGI fail to blend seamlessly with practical elements, revealing their synthetic nature more evidently in 4K. Despite these minor drawbacks, the integration of advanced HDR technology compensates by delivering sharp close-ups and expansive establishing shots with equal precision.

From close-up cinematography capturing every facial nuance to wide panoramic views that present the ocean in all its majestic splendor, the 4K UHD renders "Meg 2: The Trench" as a visually compelling masterpiece. Brightness is masterfully tuned, producing intense sunlight reflections on water surfaces and enhancing nighttime scenes under the moonlight. Even though the film's framing occasionally suggests it was intended for 3D viewing, the 4K transfer remains impressive. The overall result is a clean, sharp, and virtually noise-free presentation that strengthens the immersive quality of this action-packed blockbuster.

The audio presentation of the 4K UHD Blu-ray for "Meg 2: The Trench" impressively utilizes its Dolby Atmos format. The track provides an engaging and immersive experience that perfectly complements the film’s underwater action sequences and prehistoric thrills. The Atmos mix comes to life during intense sequences like underwater landslides and explosive charges, enhancing the movie's visual spectacle. The atmospheric design crafts a compelling 360-degree soundstage, where height channels play a significant role in delivering the scale and depth expected from a big-budget production.

Explosions, both above and below the sea surface, are beautifully rendered, carrying distinct and impressive weight. The sequence involving an undersea avalanche exemplifies top-tier home audio mixing, making full use of all available speakers for a truly enveloping soundscape. Throughout the film, the low-frequency effects are robust, though occasionally bordering on overpowering, adding depth to scenes with moving sharks, sub engines, and eruptive action. Despite the strength of the bass, it remains controlled enough to preserve clarity in dialogue and sound effects.

In addition, the Dolby Atmos track brings Harry Gregson-Williams' score to life, skillfully combining it with background effects without overshadowing the dialogue. This mix ensures that vocalizations and environmental sounds maintain clear priority amidst the action. Whether it’s the whirling of rotors or rising air bubbles during submarine chases, the audio remains expansive and detailed. Overall, the sound design is top-notch, providing an unmissable auditory experience that truly elevates the visceral thrills of "Meg 2: The Trench."

The 4K UHD Blu-ray release of "Meg 2: The Trench" offers a modest selection of extras, with two succinct behind-the-scenes featurettes providing just under 23 minutes of additional content. "The Making of Meg 2: The Trench" details the production process with input from the director, producers, and various cast members, discussing the challenges of working with unseen CGI elements. "Up From the Depths: Even More Beasts" focuses on the design and creation of the film's new creatures, featuring concept art and on-set footage. While the extras provide insightful glimpses into the film's creation, their brevity may leave fans wanting more.

Extras included in this disc:

• The Making of Meg 2: The Trench: A comprehensive look at the film's production with interviews and behind-the-scenes footage.
• Up From the Depths: Even More Beasts: Exploration of the design and introduction of new creatures in the sequel.

"Meg 2: The Trench" continues the journey of Jonas Taylor (Jason Statham) and his team as they undertake an exploratory dive into the Mariana Trench, only to confront both colossal prehistoric sharks and a malevolent mining operation. Reminiscent of a rollercoaster ride, the nonsensical yet entertaining plot introduces heavier doses of sci-fi elements with the team utilizing advanced exo-suits to withstand the depths. The critical consensus highlights that despite the paper-thin characterization and overstuffed plot, the film embraces its absurdity, delivering a fun albeit predictable monster movie experience.

Director Ben Wheatley brings more oversized creatures to the screen, with action sequences involving megalodons, dinosaurs, and even a giant squid terrorizing unsuspecting tourists in a tropical paradise. While the narrative is clearly geared towards spectacle over substance, with clunky middle acts and barely credible villain motives, "Meg 2" manages to keep viewers engaged through sheer campy charm and adrenaline-pumping set pieces. Statham's performance as the indefatigable protagonist battling monstrous threats while jet-skiing with harpoons is as ridiculous as it sounds—yet oddly fitting for this sequel.

Ultimately, "Meg 2: The Trench" does not aim for high art or deep introspection; instead, it revels in its cheesy self-awareness and over-the-top antics. For those in search of mindless action and monstrous mayhem, this sequel lives up to its promise. Its vibrant special effects and fast-paced direction make it a worthwhile watch for fans of the genre, although it falls short of originality, borrowing heavily from its predecessors and other familiar creature features.

"Meg 2: The Trench" on 4K UHD Blu-ray presents a mixed bag of entertainment value and technical prowess. The film, directed by Ben Wheatley, attempts to breathe new life into the franchise but often succumbs to predictable genre tropes and clichés. Despite its flaws, the movie offers lightweight escapism for fans of the original, with enough schlock-worthy fun and absurdity to warrant a viewing.

Technically, the 4K UHD release from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment is impressive. The Dolby Vision-enhanced video quality provides excellent visuals with outstanding clarity and depth, while the Dolby Atmos audio track delivers a robust and immersive sound experience. Unfortunately, the supplemental package is underwhelming, offering only a few surface-level bonus features that fail to add significant value to the release.

In conclusion, "Meg 2: The Trench" is a flavorless sequel that fails to meet already low expectations. It arrives on Ultra HD in this Ultra HD Blu-ray/Digital release from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment featuring excellent technical merits mated with a lackluster supplement package. I haven’t had a chance to check out the streaming version on MAX but, my advice would be to start there before considering a purchase.