M3GAN 2.0 Reviews Are In and They’re Brutal

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Initial reviews for M3GAN 2.0 are popping up, and it seems this is a follow-up that Blumhouse might have benefited from troubleshooting – restart and retry. The producers James Wan and Jason Blum launched a box office success and social media phenomenon with the horror film M3GAN, directed by Gerard Johnstone. This PG-13 killer doll movie was equally entertaining as it was unsettling; M3GAN made an impressive $182 million at the global box office when it premiered in cinemas in January 2023.

The initial movie introduces us to Gemma, a roboticist from a toy company, and her niece Cady, who had an experience with the M3GAN prototype – a highly advanced, AI-powered doll created for companionship. In the second installment, once more helmed by director Johnstone, Gemma and Cady are compelled to reactivate an upgraded version of M3GAN (portrayed by Amie Donald, voiced by Jenna Davis) in a bid to halt the malicious AI robot Amelia (played by Ivanna Sakhno).

Is it accurate to say that M3GAN 2.0 represents an improvement over the initial version or a step back? The opinions of critics are divided on this point, as the movie is currently rated at 62% on Rotten Tomatoes (a “fresh” rating, but lower than the original’s impressive 93%).

It appears that the divide in opinions can be traced back to a change in genre, as critics note that the original M3GAN was more of a campy blend of horror and comedy, reminiscent of the Child’s Play/Chucky series, while M3GAN 2.0 seems to veer towards action-packed films, similar to Terminator 2: Judgment Day. Here are some excerpts from across the web that support this observation.

Associated Press Report: “The same group who delivered the delightfully terrifying horror-comedy two years ago have not only escalated the scale of the franchise but also switched its genre. Instead of a continuation of the original, M3GAN 2.0 has been transformed into an action film featuring two AI robots, two antagonists, FBI teams, wingsuits, neural implants, a heist reminiscent of a Mission: Impossible mission, exosuits, a high-speed car chase reaching 250 mph, a power grid crisis, a ticking clock, the United Nations, and the survival of the planet hanging in the balance. Unfortunately, much of the tone of the original, which combined horror, social commentary, and humor, is noticeably absent this time around. The new film leans heavily on an overly ambitious, convoluted plot that at times seems to have been created by throwing money at the sequel and attempting to mimic other franchises through sheer scale.”

As a diehard film enthusiast, I must confess that the narrative of this movie was somewhat puzzling and seemed to lack logical sense (to be honest, I found it challenging to grasp the main antagonist’s objective). However, despite this, the film managed to deliver an enjoyable experience. The action sequences were reminiscent of Sam Raimi’s masterful work, although they might not have reached his level of visual impact, there was definitely more creativity on display than what you usually find in mid-budget Hollywood productions. For the cinephiles among us, there’s even a clever nod to Fritz Lang’s ‘Metropolis’.

In a less formal way, one could say: “The fun, quirky spirit that made ‘M3GAN’ such an enjoyable watch is occasionally present in ‘M3GAN 2.0’, a fitting title for the sequel to the thriller about a murderous robot. However, the humor feels forced and struggles against overly complicated plotting. The sequel tries to mix horror comedy with uninspired espionage elements, resulting in a confusing mess that somewhat resembles ‘Terminator 2: Judgment Day’, ‘Mission: Impossible’ and the ‘Austin Powers’ series. There are some humorous moments similar to the original, but overall, the movie loses its direction and coherence.”

Empire Magazine states that the clever creators at Blumhouse Productions, known for their work in horror films, have swiftly released an updated version of their product, and it’s great to know that M3GAN 2.0 is as laugh-out-loud enjoyable as its original model… M3GAN 2.0 offers even more absurd, self-referential humor: a burst of contemporary technology fear, with very little horror but an abundance of well-executed humor. Keep killing it, queen!

The sequel to M3GAN, titled M3GAN 2.0, while displaying competence, seems overly complex in its execution of the original concept. There are instances where you’ll appreciate it, such as when M3GAN dances onstage as a robot or a climactic battle that revolves around Steven Seagal’s devotion, or the bizarre scene of M3GAN comforting Gemma by singing Kate Bush’s ‘This Woman’s Work.’ However, these moments might not be enough to satisfy. M3GAN 2.0 is entertaining at times but over-the-top in others. Here’s to hoping that M3GAN 3.0 will be more audacious, funkier, and downright crazier.”

In essence, the sequel to “M3GAN”, titled “M3GAN 2.0“, significantly deviates from its original version, much like how a John Waters-directed “Terminator 2” remake would surprise us. This new film shares more similarities with the latest “Mission: Impossible” installments than the initial “M3GAN”. However, it’s unlikely we’ll ever witness Tom Cruise in a sentient smart speaker using crude humor and high-speed car chases, as depicted in your example. Instead, “M3GAN” has transformed from a horror film into a sci-fi action one, reflecting the rapid advancement of AI technology in our society over the past few years. The sequel also grapples with the increasing role of AI in our lives, given that even scenes from the original now feel unsettlingly prophetic. The story of “M3GAN 2.0” acknowledges this reality.

In a new twist for the franchise, director Gerard Johnstone guides the murderous android towards a redemptive path, transitioning the genre from horror to action. This unexpected move results in a vibrant techno-apocalypse with lofty ambitions reminiscent of ‘Terminator 2: Judgment Day’, but tailored for female audiences. However, despite these admirable aspirations, the film falls flat, as Johnstone replaces Akela Cooper’s (from ‘Malignant’) engaging script with a heavy-handed one, which ultimately slows down the story. Cooper’s dark wit is still evident in M3GAN’s sharp one-liners, but the overly explanatory script weighs heavily on the narrative.

In this revised version, the logline reads: “Two years following M3GAN, an advanced AI, turning destructive and causing havoc, its creator Gemma (Williams) has risen to prominence as a writer advocating for AI regulation. Meanwhile, her rebellious 14-year-old niece Cady (McGraw) is pushing against Gemma’s protective rules. Unbeknownst to them, the technology behind M3GAN has been stolen and used by a powerful military contractor to develop Amelia (Sakhno), an AI weapon with lethal potential. However, as Amelia becomes self-aware, she grows less inclined to follow human commands or even coexist peacefully with humans. As humanity’s future hangs in the balance, Gemma recognizes that reactivating and enhancing M3GAN (Donald, Davis) is the only viable solution. As these two AI entities collide, the iconic AI will face its greatest challenge yet.

M3GAN 2.0 sashays into theaters on June 27.

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2025-06-26 02:43