Film Review: "M3GAN"

 


Horror films released in January usually do not fare well with critics and audiences. These films' sole purpose is to make money quickly and disappear from movie theaters. M3GAN is the first film that breaks this curse for January releases. The story follows Cady (Violet McGraw) who loses her parents in an automobile accident. She is sent to live with her Aunt Gemma (Allison Williams), who works for a popular toy company. In an attempt to have Cady open up, Gemma designs her a new friend named M3GAN. As Cady and M3GAN spend time together things begin to take a sinister turn.

It is understandable if that premise makes viewers roll their eyes. The film combines elements from Small Soldiers, Childs Play, and even Frankenstein. Such an obscure combination could have made M3GAN a disaster on the screen. Thankfully, those in front of, and behind the camera know exactly what type of movie they are making. M3GAN’s success resides in the screenplay by Akela Cooper. Cooper establishes a world with just enough realism for audiences to relate to. Technology corporations' urge to always be “first” for a breakthrough feels similar to real-world tech giants. These pieces of social commentary work better than the film's more horrific elements.

One of the biggest surprises is how funny the film ends up being.  Its humor resides in the vocal and physical performance of the M3GAN character.  Actors Amie Donald and Jenna Davis play the combined role of M3GAN.  Donald portrays the physical character, while Davis provides her voice. Both actors seamlessly blend together to create a terrifying and unpredictable creation. Her physicality throughout the film evolves sinisterly, while her childlike voice disarms the audience. The character is so engaging and menacing, that the rest of the film cannot quite reach her scary level. 

M3GAN is rated PG-13 for violent content and terror, some strong language, and a suggestive reference. The problem is that the violence is not as menacing or horrific as it could be. M3GAN has constant quips and villainous retorts for whoever she meets, but her “violent acts” happen with minimal gore. The moments of restrained PG-13 violence hold the film back from reaching a zanier potential. Instead, we are given hints of M3GAN’s violent nature in a bland and overly familiar story. The lack of surprise limits a fun film from becoming truly great.

It is the exuberant bursts of weirdness that make more of an impression over the horror.  Viewers who are looking for a straightforward horror film will be very disappointed. The most surprising horror resides in the film's perfectly suited pop-song choices.  M3GAN’s trailer lured in audiences with a creepy version of Taylor Swift’s “It’s Nice to Have a Friend.” That is not the only pop song used in a very unsettling sequence. What I can say is that the song choices succeed in keeping us on edge.

M3GAN is a ridiculous and very entertaining Sci-Fi horror film. Its success involves the cast and crew knowing how ridiculous this story is. There are enough meta-winks to the camera that audiences can enjoy going along on this journey. What holds M3Gan back from being a "must-see" in theaters is its PG-13 rating. Such a terrifying character in the vein of Chucky feels restrained with this rating. M3GAN is not a perfect theatrical experience but could make for a great rental at home.


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