We looked forward to seeing M3GAN strut her stuff again, but think this film was left with sequelitis. Just because there’s one deranged doll doesn’t necessarily mean the creators can capture lightning in a bottle again with a new enhanced killer.
M3GAN 2.0 has an alter ego named Amelia (voiced by Ivanna Sakhno) and she’s lethal. She was created with the technology stolen from Gemma (Allison Williams) who created the original robotic doll that danced her way into box office gold, entertaining with a song and dance rampage. First of all, we find out the savvy M3GAN was able to survive her demise. We also find out how someone else was able recreate another life-like destructive robotic and why.
Writer/Director Gerard Johnstone created the story for the first film and this one with Akela Cooper who developed the characters with famous Insidious filmmaker James Wan. The cast, reassembled from the first film includes, Williams, Amie Donald as M3GAN voiced by Jenna Davis, Violet McGraw as Cady (Gemma’s niece) from the first film who does a great job. Plus Gemma’s research team is back with Brian Jordan Alvarez as Cole, and Jen Van Epps as Tess. Now Gemma, based on what she went through with M3GAN, is trying to warn of the perils of AI with her book “Modern Moderation.” She doesn’t want M3GAN to come back, but Cady talks her Gemma into it when Amelia puts the fate of humanity at risk.
Gemma is encouraged by the good-looking, smart, AI cybersecurity expert and anti-AI activist, Christian Bradley, (Aristotle Athari – SNL, Silicon Valley, Hacks.) He seems interested in protecting her research and she seems interested in him.
There’s also Army Colonel Tim Sattler (Timm Sharp), willing to do anything to appropriate Amelia for the military establishment. He’s working with corrupt tech billionaire Alton Appleton (Jemaine Clement) to enhance Amelia’s capabilities for no good.
When we finally meet all the players, the plot is set for a few laughs, but not as many as the original film. Allison Williams didn’t seem as engaged in this film. But there’s an attempt at an emotional moment through song that renders some good laughs. We were surprised at how this became kind of a superhero action film, with way too many guns and physical fighting. And we don’t think it was shot well. It was obvious when Gemma is in battle, her hair covers her face, making it easy for stunt people to take over. It looks phony.
Most disappointing is that this disjointed horror film doesn’t produce any fun, visual gasp-worthy jump scares. Megan’s stare is more chilling. If this film with its twists on underdeveloped characters is all about AI, we may be in for a schlocky future.
Universal Pictures 2 hours PG-13
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