"The Meg" Makes Its Film Debut -- And Why I Won't Be Watching It

"The Meg" debuted this weekend. It's the story of a group of scientists who fight to overcome a prehistoric megalodon shark that has burst into society and begun eating all sorts of people.

I read "MEG: A Novel of Deep Terror" back in the late 90s, which spawned this movie. In the book, a pregnant megalodon got pulled to the surface waters from deep within the Mariana Trench and began eating all sorts of people and marine life. Mama Meg is eventually killed, but Baby Meg is captured so that earth's scientists can study it and learn all about prehistoric sharks.

I didn't realize it, but Baby Meg must have gotten loose because a whole series of sequel novels have been published since then, including "The Trench,""MEG: Primal Waters,""MEG: Hell's Aquarium,""MEG: Origins,""MEG: Night Stalkers,""MEG: Generations," and "MEG: Purgatory."

I'm sure that "The Meg" is a wonderful shark movie. But I'm choosing to avoid it. Largely because of this silliness from the trailer:


In case you can't tell, a couple has gotten married and they are out in the ocean on a yacht. They then go swimming as a group. Their tiny dog is left unattended and jumps into the ocean. Everyone is oblivious to this. Or they think it's cute. The little dog swims deep into the ocean and Meg appears.

I have no clue if the dog lives or dies. I have no clue if the wedding party lives or dies. I just think that it's largely reckless and irresponsible for this dog to be out in the ocean for any reasons.

Let's pretend that Meg doesn't actually exist. There are regular sharks in the ocean. There are other sea predators in the ocean. There are currents in the ocean. And there is the strong likelihood that the dog will sink into the water from exhaustion if it actually swam that far from the ship.

I just hate films that display horrific treatment to dogs. I really do. And I totally realize that it's fiction. But it's fiction that can easily be reenacted in real life -- and with little consequence. I refuse to watch "Urban Legend" for the same reason.

It sounds like lots of other people are watching "The Meg" and I hope they do well. I mean, lots of people invested a lot of time, money, and talent into making this movie. I just won't be one of those watching it.