The Meg Review: 4 Ups & 5 Downs

2. The Shamelessly Goofy, Campy Tone

Nobody will complain that The Meg takes itself too seriously, because while a lot of the hilariously cliched dialogue is fired through with a surprising poker face, once that awkward first act is over with, the film largely embraces its utter, undeniable silliness.

The characters are largely cardboard, it ticks off disaster movie cliches with an almost admirable enthusiasm, and during the barmy third act it doubles down on the cartoonish action you'd hope for.

What more could you want, really? This is a movie that devotes time to a tiny puppy, Pippin, facing off against the megalodon, and there's perhaps no greater proof that this is a film with no pretensions to being anything more than a trashy, proudly dumb shark movie.