M3gan 2.0 Has No Idea What It’s Doing

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Initially, one might assume that a follow-up to the 2023 film M3gan, featuring a teenage killer android girl, would be a simple success, capitalizing on the unique blend of horror and humor that made it a surprising box office hit in January. However, such self-aware humor seldom repeats itself twice. The original M3gan played its outlandish premise with a mostly straight face, but as we watched the film’s solitary and hesitant maternal figure, ambitious and overworked roboticist Gemma (Allison Williams), create a cyborg companion for her traumatized and orphaned niece, Cady (Violet McGraw), it became clear that the movie was playing a clever joke. Nearly everyone in the film appeared serious, as did its overall tone. Yet, beneath the surface, the film was a wild, hilarious spectacle, and the dancing robot stood out like a knife in a pussy-bow minidress amidst it all.

In the sequel titled M3gan 2.0, director Gerard Johnstone elects for thrilling action over chilling horror, giving the movie a fun, espionage-like vibe. The character of M3gan (portrayed by Amie Donald and voiced by Jenna Davis), who was vanquished in the prior film, is now confronted with a newer, stronger cyborg threat – Amelia (short for Autonomous Military Engagement Logistics and Infiltration Android, played by Ukrainian actress Ivanna Sakhno). We’re introduced to Amelia in the opening scene on the Turkish-Iranian border, where she ruthlessly dispatches a group of henchmen to rescue a kidnapped chemical scientist. However, Amelia proves to be a traitor and turns against her American military commanders. As events unfold, it’s up to Gemma, Cady, and their companions to resurrect M3gan in an effort to stop the seemingly invincible Amelia, who is determined to achieve ultimate power and dominate humanity.

In simpler terms, “M3gan 2.0” appears to veer away from the humorous and conceptual elements that made its predecessor appealing, leaning more towards occasional jokes and a few goofy moments. For instance, when M3gan is revived, she’s given a small, plastic robot body resembling Teletubbies to prevent violence. Later, she sings Kate Bush’s “This Woman’s Work” as a tribute to Gemma’s parenting. However, the movie mostly feels like a typical action film with some dialogue about the dangers of artificial intelligence that might make you question if the creators expect viewers to focus on the plot details.

Sadly, in a more disappointing turn of events, the sequel of M3gan, titled M3gan 2.0, seems to have strayed from its roots, which were the key to the original’s success. The first film maintained a delicate balance due to Williams’ exceptional portrayal, her dry humor perfectly encapsulating Gemma’s clumsy attempts at self-reinvention. At the same time, McGraw, who was only 11 during filming, skillfully handled the traumatized innocence of her character. The stark contrast between their genuine emotions and M3gan’s witty, homicidal quips added authenticity to the film’s satirical twists.

Instead of presenting unique and intriguing characters in this installment, the characters mainly focus on running, hiding, and strategizing to defeat Amelia. They seem more like action figures rather than compelling personalities. It’s possible that Johnstone is creating a formula for future films, but in doing so, he’s lost the quirks that made his initial work stand out. The end product feels mediocre – neither funny nor action-packed enough to be classified as comedy or action, not smart enough to serve as a warning, and definitely lacking the peculiarity needed to preserve the essence of “M3gan”.

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2025-06-27 17:53