'M3GAN 2.0' Review: New Parts, Diminishing Returns
The sassy, murderous robot has returned to the big screen in M3Gan 2.0, a sequel that takes the franchise in a brand new direction, but fails to capitalize on the potential that new territory brings with it.
Set two years after M3GAN’s savage rampage, her creator Gemma and her niece Cady are trying to create a normal life for themselves and bridge the gap between them as they continue to navigate their unsteady new mother and daughter relationship. However, they are both roped into a new precarious situation when a new robot named Ameilia, a military-grade weapon with M3GAN’s original code, goes Rogue and Gemma must resurrect her original creation in order to stop this new machine from destroying the world.
While the first film navigated the middle ground between horror and comedy, this sequel channels its inner Terminator 2, taking the franchise into more action-heavy territory, turning its central robot into far more of an anti-hero this time around. Writer/director Gerard Johnstone is thankfully up to the task, delivering action sequences that are fun and dynamic, utilizing some nifty, playful camerawork that allows the sequel to lean into its zaniness, though not as much as it should. This is a sequel that firmly wears its genre influences on its sleeve and never takes itself too seriously. However, the horror comedy tone established in the first film is sorely missed here, the sequel choosing to focus far more on the comedy and action.
M3GAN also remains an endlessly entertaining character, her sassy and blunt sense of humor continuing to be a highlight as she slowly evolves and contemplates her morality and capacity to be more human than machine. Her transition from villainous protector to selfless anti-hero is surprisingly well done, never feeling forced or rushed in any capacity. Fans can rest assured knowing that even though she may be becoming more of a hero, that hasn’t watered down or neutered her most beloved tendencies or behavior. If anything, she has become more a compelling character to watch.
The performances here are a bit of a mixed bag though. While Allison Williams is a talented actress, Gemma remains a bland, uninteresting character despite her best efforts. While there was potential exploring the uneasy relationship between Gemma and Cady, there isn’t enough meat on the bone in that area to make that exploration worthwhile. What should’ve been the beating heart of the film becomes a case of what could’ve been unfortunately. However, Gemma’s scenes with M3GAN and the evolution of their relationship as the film progresses slowly becomes a highlight, the two eventually working together in order to not only protect Cady, but stop Amelia from wreaking havoc as well. The supporting performances are serviceable, but Jemaine Clement sticks out like a sore thumb here, adding another over-the-top, thankless antagonist to his arsenal as he registers not only as a laughable caricature, but a character that feels as if he’s from an entirely different film altogether.
The film also gets off to a sluggish, lifeless start, piling on the exposition and wasting far too much screen time setting up the foundation of the story and re-introducing M3GAN into the fold. By the time the lovable robot enters the story, the film has nearly flatlined. Making matters worse is Amelia, a villainous robot that doesn’t have any of the appeal she should. Essentially, she becomes the T-1000 of the film, but never carries with her the same kind of screen presence or menace that is required to make her a memorable foe. Not to mention, her entire objective and goals feel like a giant case of been there, done that. Both of these films have clearly tried to deliver the message that AI, if not used properly and placed into the wrong hands, can lead to disastrous results. While this message is certainly relevant in this day and age, its delivered in both of these films with the subtlety of a sledgehammer.
M3GAN 2.0 may take the character and series in a drastically different direction, but fans will still find plenty to enjoy in this action-heavy sequel. However, this is a franchise that yearns to have its PG=13 leash taken off so it can truly let loose and deliver the blood-drenched, zany mayhem it so desperately wants to. While the sequel proves that bigger isn’t always better, the potential for this unique character and franchise is still in hefty supply should it continue.