“M3GAN”
Movie Review
M3GAN is an American science fiction horror film directed
by Gerard Johnstone from a screenplay by Akela Cooper and a story by Cooper and
James Wan. The plot of M3GAN follows Gemma, played by Alison Williams, a
roboticist at a toy company developing an artificially intelligent toy named
M3GAN. When M3GAN teams up with Gemma's orphaned niece Cady, played by Violet
McGraw, she develops a sense of self and becomes hostile to anyone who comes
between her and Cady. M3GAN's appearance is a combination of physical
performance, practical makeup, and digital visual effects by Amy Donald, while
Jenna Davis voices the character.
Director Gerard Johnstone cleverly approached the M3GAN
rating and female-dominated cast as something other than a
gender-switched Child’s Play.
At the center of M3GAN is the concept of bonding. Between
Cady and Gemma, who struggle to function as parents, and Cady and M3GAN, who
plan to bond with her to become friends and protectors. Both scenarios have
major drawbacks, of course, and the problem starts especially on the defender
side.
At least some of those problems are a result of the plot
devices these movies have to go through. Bad programming that leaves a powerful
robot without some essential limits and invalidates for example.
It's no surprise when the doll reveals its dark side and
becomes the "Annabelle crossed the Terminator" that Wan alludes to.
That's why we're looking at M3GAN in the first place, right? Of course, that,
and once we get there M3GAN actually offers a little entertainment value.
You're cheering on the junior psycho at the school event
or the suspicious-looking neighbor. Unfortunately, her demise did not involve basketball.
There are some well-crafted and suspenseful scenes as suspicions rise about
Gemma's creation and undeserving characters in the film become her targets.
Adding to that is the authentic look of M3GAN. She looks
mostly human. But her coldness, the pupils of her damned eyes, and the perfect
structure of her face give her away. She is not the non-human robot seen in
many movies, nor is she an exact replica of the Terminator. It's disturbing
enough.
It's nothing game-changing, plot-wise it's predictable.
But it is done well and with considerable skill. Also, the film's target
audience isn't the hardcore horror crowd familiar with these tropes, so it
might give them a few surprises.
0 Comments