Hopes were moderately high that this would be better than the original with talented film director Ben Wheatley behind the camera. In the end, it was only more of the same with a moderately exciting climax and Jason Statham continuing to do his best no matter what he is in.

To start off with the positives, Jason Statham has had quite the resurgence in star power. Not that he was ever bad, but obtaining these types of lead roles, no matter the quality is good for any actor. People clearly showed up for the first and Statham is definitely a contributing factor. As he gets older, he never seems to slow down as the action that he does here is on par with his older hits that made him into a household name.

The climax also plenty to offer. It is continuously exciting and engaging. It offers a bit more of the same of the first. This time around, there is so much going on that felt like the film needed to go out on a more positive note. The camera work is also quite fun and unique.

Where the film catapults into a metaphorical trench is within nearly every other component. The film starts off on a segment set in the past that really does nothing to push the film forward other than to set the tone for the climax. It is a bit of a let down when it suddenly cuts to the title of the film and transitions into Statham’s character. What they do with his character here only shows that Statham is beyond this. He shines in gritty and action-packed movies such as Wrath of Man, Furious 7, and The Transporter. The film continues to make it in a problem by asking the question: How can an actor of this caliber be in a shark movie like this? The answer seems to be: establishing a side story that involves him taking down bad people who do bad things in the water.

This leads into one of the stupidest pieces of the film where they manage to fit three different villains with one of them having a special vendetta against Statham. It’s a mindless subplot that only holds itself back from getting into the shark action. It also manages to take up most of the film’s first half.

The effects are noticeably bad throughout, but it is within the first half is where it is at its worst when the plot involves characters having to walk on the surface of the trench to get out. It was quite difficult to point out who was who at this time and what was going on. The plot becomes way too ridiculous for its own good and doesn’t manage to make itself worthy to care what happens beyond that.

In the end, the people in front and behind the camera seem to enjoy making them enough to come back. Hell, if you can get Cliff Curtis to come back, it is probably not that bad. It is far from the worst movie ever made. There just happens to be more potential to make this into a more meaningful franchise that cares about its characters to justify its ridiculous action.

Overall, if you are fans of the first, then this might continue to service to you. All others may want to avoid.

VERDICT: 1.5/5 (Pretty Bad)