Story and tone

M3GAN is back, and she’s even more aggressive, dramatic, and funny. The sequel to the popular tech horror film changes its style and tries to become a big movie. 

The plot of M3GAN 2.0 has moved from an intimate story to the global arena. Several years have passed, Gemma has become an activist for the regulation of artificial intelligence, and her niece Cady has never been able to get over the events of the first film. 

Then a new military creation appears on the horizon: the AMELIA robot, based on Megan, but even more dangerous.

The film has become cooler, the budgets are bigger, and Megan is more like a superhero than a threat.

If the first part tried to be a real horror movie with elements of satire and commentary on artificial intelligence, the second decided to do a somersault — and instead of horror, we got a loud, bright, exaggerated action movie with hints of comedy. And, surprisingly, it works quite well — if you know what you’re getting into.

Themes

It’s funny, but there really isn’t any horror here. Even when the film tries to scare someone, it’s more like a parody.

Megan doesn’t hunt — she rescues. She doesn’t scare — she utters phrases that could easily become trending topics on social media.

Ideas about artificial intelligence are present, but without much emphasis. They’re just there because they have to be.

Visual imagination

Technically, the film is made to a high standard. The action scenes are well staged, the fights are filmed dynamically, the cinematography is pleasing to the eye, and the music effectively underscores the mood of the scenes.

But that’s all just packaging. If you dig deeper, there’s nothing there. The atmosphere of the first film is gone, and the attempt to “grow” into something more serious is not always successful.

Voice performances

The cast does an excellent job. Alison Williams is as reliable and strong as ever. Violet McGraw has matured, and although her role is not very clearly defined, she does an excellent job. 

But the real surprise is Ivanna Sakhno as Amelia. Her character is cold, reserved, even frightening in some scenes, and the actress brings charisma to this robotic creature. 

And, of course, Megan’s voice acting is, as always, top-notch. Her sarcasm alone is reason enough to watch the film.

Pros

• scale and genre freedom, action-packed script; 
• excellent performances by Alison Williams, Violet McGraw, and especially Ivanna Sakhno;
• Megan is charismatic and funny again, albeit in a different role;
•  technically, it’s a spectacular show with special effects, music, and cinematography.

Cons

• lack of a real horror factor; tone too light; 
• plot overloaded, some lines simplified or rushed; 
• superficial moral: AI vs. Humans, without deep reflection

Final verdict

M3GAN 2.0 is not so much a sequel as a reboot. The film has become more spectacular, but has lost the special atmosphere of the first part. Instead of a thriller, we got an action movie with a hint of humor. 

And if you take it for what it is, you can even enjoy it. Especially when Ivanna Sakhno appears on screen. But be prepared — this is no longer a horror film, it’s a show. A dull, bright, and sometimes funny show.