(https://i.imgur.com/KEbjxRe.png)
Studio: Universal Studios
Release Date: 3/21/2023
Rating: PG-13/Not Rated
Film Grade: B
The Story: In the world of toy companies, there’s heated competition to ramp up the innovation of AI and robotics to provide the next must-have kids’ companion. This leads to the creation of M3GAN (Model 3 Generative Android), a remarkably life-like doll that pairs with its primary user. That pairing, along with a constant connection to the cloud, allows M3GAN to learn and adapt on her own. Hmm, maybe that’s not such a good idea. . .
My Take: One might be tempted to dismiss this as a simple remake or rip-off of the Chucky movies, but the story is rich enough to stand completely on its own. Aided by a smart script with better-than-average dialog, this is a fun movie with some dark humor and a few wry toy commercials thrown in to balance out the inevitable moments of tension.
Allison Williams plays the part of Jenna, M3GAN’s primary developer, and she does a fine job of alternating between robotics scientist and caregiver. She’s paired with Violet McGraw who turns in a solid performance as the child that bonds with M3GAN. The rest of the cast fit well with the story, each adding a quirk to their character’s personality. It’s also worth mentioning the robotics team and the work of Amie Donald, who provides much of M3GAN’s body movements. They did a remarkable job of creating a robot that comes to life in front of the audience.
The movie throws out a number of different themes for the viewers to chew on, including the role of technology in modern life, the ethics of data collection, AI and machine learning, and what are the ramifications of all this tech on today’s children. Considering the advances in AI and robotics, there are parts of this movie that are not that far-fetched, and the movie plays off those fears and concerns.
The only real negative to this film is the ending, which feels rote compared to the rest of the movie. It’s not bad, just a little disappointing compared to the setup and development of the earlier parts of the story.
Video: This is a beautifully shot movie, with dark scenes that remain clear yet moody, interior shots that feel authentic, with appropriate splashes of color befitting a modern toy company. At times the color palette effectively evokes feelings of some of the popular horror movies of the 1980s, with perfect nighttime shades of blue.
Audio: The 7.1 DTS mix features crisp, clear dialog, and scenes are generally presented with a good sense of space. There isn’t much that really stands out, but there are a couple of effective jump scares that are punched up by the soundtrack. There is an Atmos version, but once again it’s only available on the digital version, so I can’t advise how it might compare.
Special Features:
A New Vision of Horror
Bringing Life to M3GAN
Getting Hacked
Final Verdict: My wife is not a fan of horror movies, but this is more of a thriller, and we both enjoyed this one a lot; it will be making its way into our collection.
While there are plenty of other movies featuring bad dolls, M3GAN is one of the best. Unlike the unremarkable and uninspired 2019 Child’s Play remake, this movie features a fresh take on the genre with a witty script featuring moments of wicked humor that elevate it above the standard fare.
This is a highly recommended watch for anyone that that has ever enjoyed watching a Chucky-type flick. And the extras are worth a look if you want a peek behind the scenes.
Fun Quote: “Sorry, shouldn’t laugh.”
My Review System:
JVC DLA-RS420 Reference Series D-Ila Projector with 4K eShift4
Elite Screens Sable Frame B2 117” Width with Infinitely Variable Height
Monolith by Monoprice HTP-1 16 Channel Processor with Dirac Live
Monolith by Monoprice 7x200 Watts Amp
Monolith by Monoprice 3x200 Watts + 6x100 Watts Amp
JBL Studio 590 for Left, Center, Right, Wides, and Rears
JBL Studio 580 for Side Surrounds
JBL Studio SCS 8 for Tops
JTR Captivator 1400 Subwoofer X 4
Panasonic DP-UB420 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Player
NVIDIA Shield Android TV - 4K
HTPC Running madVR (work in progress)
Remote: URC MX-780
Mini DSP 2X4 HD controlling all subwoofers
APC S15 Power Conditioner with Battery Backup