A One Mann’s Movies review of “M3GAN” (2023).
The cinema has had no end of doll-like things like M3GAN to creep us out over the years. In my youth, it was a young Anthony Hopkin’s ventriloquist dummy in “Magic”. But we’ve also had “Chucky”, the antique doll “Annabelle” and that wretched clown under the bed in “Poltergeist“! Add a bit more computer gadgetry and you get Yul Brunner’s killer android cowboy in “Westworld”/”Futureworld”, Arnie’s “Terminator” and Alicia Vikander’s memorable Ava from “Ex Machina“.
So “M3GAN” is nothing new. But that doesn’t deflect from the fact that as a movie this has been done very well and is a lot of fun.
Bob the Movie Man Rating(s):
Plot Summary:
Gemma (Allison Williams) is the top designer at toy company Funki who are the market-leaders in making Furbie-style animal toys for kids. Her work there goes unappreciated by her boss, fanatical CEO David (Ronny Chieng). Until, that is, she shows him M3GAN, her latest invention: a walking talking android child. Young Cady (played nicely by Violet McGraw) is emotionally linked to the prototype M3GAN. This is because, for reasons explained in a pre-title scene, Cady is living with Gemma, her aunt. M3GAN is being rushed to market by David, against Gemma’s wishes. And equipped with advanced AI, powerful physical capabilities and a ‘prime directive’ to protect Cady at all costs, you can immediately see where the red flags might be ahead!
Certification:
UK: 15; US: PG-13. (From the BBFC: “Strong threat, violence, bloody images”.)
Talent:
Starring: Allison Williams, Violet McGraw, Ronny Chieng, Amie Donald, Jen Van Epps, Brian Jordan Alverez, Lori Dungey.
Directed by: Gerard Johnstone.
Written by: Akela Cooper (from a story by James Wan).
Twitter Handles: #M3gan, #MeetM3gan.
Pairing up. M3gan (Amie Donald), Cady (Violet McGraw) and Gemma (Allison Williams). (Source: Blumhouse Productions).
“M3GAN” Review:
Positives:
- Sometimes a ‘little’ film comes along that just plain entertains. And at the moment – amongst all of the heavy Oscar-worthy fare on show – “M3GAN” is that film. It’s not trying to be anything new or different, but it is nicely tapping into a general social unease about robots and Artificial Intelligence and where it is all going to take us in the next 100 years.
- M3GAN herself is nicely conceived. (She’s performed by young actress Amie Donald). The design allows you to suspend your belief since she is similar to some of the real-life Japanese androids being developed.
- There’s a nice balance of humour and thrills in the movie. It met the six-laughs test for a comedy, and some of the satirical jokes (I liked the ‘toilet training’ promo!) were very funny. There are also some nice movie references slid in there: the ‘”ET” buried among the toys’ thing and surely the ‘corridor’ scene is a tribute to the “Shining” twins?
- All the cast do a serviceable job. By the way, Violet McGraw, who plays Cady, is the sister of Madelaine McGraw who was so excellent in “The Black Phone“. A very talented acting family indeed.
- And a hats off to the marketing team, for doing some very funny stuff on Twitter around the AI component of M3GAN. For reasons that escape me, she appears to have been adopted as a gay icon. Go figure!
Negatives:
- A scene with a glass of water really wasn’t very credible! I know from the current news that it does VERY much rain in California sometimes!
- The finale felt a bit formulaic for me. I would have much happier with a less ‘Hollywood’ ending, more akin to Ava’s outcome at the ending of “Ex Machina“. This would also have helped with the plotting of the inevitable (given the movie’s success) sequel (which must surely be called M4GAN!?)
Summary Thoughts on “M3GAN”
The cinema attendance has been really good for this one. It’s the best selling film so far in 2023, having taken over $100 million at the box office to date. I think this could have been even higher with more targetted marketing, since I suspect the “horror” tag might have put some people off going to see this. But actually, there really isn’t much “horror” (of the terrifying / ‘yucky’ variety) in this. Yes, there’s tension; and violence; and some bloody scenes (earning it a “15”). But some nice satirical humour tempers the horror making it a fun ride. Conversely, some Blumhouse fans, wanting to see a ‘proper horror film’, might find it too tame and be disappointed. They could have gone a lot further and nastier with what M3GAN gets up to!
But, like last year’s “Fall“, this is a ‘little’ film I had a blast going to see at the cinema, and it really deserves its success. I would typically give this one 3.5/5, but based on the enjoyment factor alone I upped this to a 4*s. Fun stuff.
Trailer for “M3GAN”:
The trailer is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mvfxFltDdao . This “Official Trailer 2” is much less spoilerish than the first Official Trailer and really nicely put together (the music – “Dolls” by Bella Poarch – is ace!)
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