The following contains spoilers for M3GAN 2.0, now playing in theatersM3GAN 2.0is a fun movie, but it’s obvious whichM3GANfilm is better. The firstM3GANwas a smash hit in 2023, earning back well above its budget and quickly entering the pop culture zeitgeist thanks to some canny advertising by Universal and the unique appeal of the film’s titular killer robot. A sequel was an inevitability (with theM3GANspin-offSoulm8tesalso in the works), withM3GAN 2.0reuniting much of the original cast and creatives for a more high-stakes, action-oriented adventure.
This tonal shift away from horror has been noted by many critics, with even the largely positivereviews forM3GAN 2.0noting that the tonal shift doesn’t quite work. Other critics have been far harsher, with the movie currently classified as “Rotten” on Rotten Tomatoes. Having seen the film, I don’t think it’s necessarily as bad as some critics are claiming. However, I do think it’s very clear which of theM3GANfilms is better.
M3GAN 2.0 Is Fun (But Not Nearly As Good As M3GAN)
M3GAN 2.0 Is A Fine Action Movie But Can’t Match A Great Horror/Comedy
I enjoyedM3GAN 2.0, but the expanded scope, genre shift, and broader story are some of the big reasons whyI think it doesn’t hold up when compared toM3GAN.M3GAN 2.0is very much an escalation of the original premise, bringing M3GAN back into the action against a more dangerous robot.
There are plenty of fun moments and cool beats inM3GAN 2.0, especially once the titular doll has gained a new body and participates in the action. However,this comes at the cost of a much broader story. The firstM3GANhad a tight focus on Gemma, Cady, and M3GAN, with wildcard supporting characters to flesh out the story.
By contrast,the sequel has too many supporting characters, many of whom are unceremoniously removed from the plot with little fanfare, like Tim Sattler. The Army Colonel is introduced as a genuine antagonist, and then removed from the plot with little impact on the story or characters.
The global threat posed by Amelia and the conspiracy carried out by Christian are both very broad, withtheir motivations quickly explained rather than fully unpacked. This meansM3GAN 2.0’s new characters lack the depth afforded to the cast in the first film. This lack of specific character focus means there are fewer true character beats in the movie, even for the established heroes.
The ones that are still in the film (like Cady and M3GAN’s conversation about morality or M3GAN’s efforts to give Gemma advice) are some of the best moments in the movie.Those are the scenes when the sequel feels most like the original, which highlights a problem withM3GAN 2.0.
M3GAN Stood Out For A Reason
Image via Universal Pictures
M3GANwas a shockingly funny movie, especially because it didn’t initially present itself as such. The horror beats still work, but what made the film so engaging was the uniquely grim but peppy portrayal of M3GAN.It upended expectations, bringing some cutting social commentary to a relatively straightforward but effective plot.
The effect was a movie that could easily go from gory to hilarious and back again.M3GAN 2.0doesn’t have nearly as good a handle on the genre fusion, as the story has more or less fully become an action/sci-fi film.Many have comparedM3GAN 2.0toTerminator 2: Judgement Day, which is an apt description.
Both movies were sequels to sci-fi/horror movies about a murderous robot. However, the pure action genre shift was an easier sell for theTerminatorfranchise because it wasn’t as much of a leap.M3GANwas entirely rooted in being subversively hilarious, making the action movie shift a much harder turn.
As a result, the greater lack of black comedy in lieu of action-movie wisecracks and character gags impacts the movie’s tone. It’s not as shocking, funny, or emotional as the first film.It loses that surprising aspect that madeM3GANso memorable, and it impacts the overall effectiveness of the sequel.
It’s clear I’m not the only one who thinks so.The Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer has been harsh on the film, with the film sitting at 59% at the time of writing.Many critics have been negatively comparing it to the original, calling it a messier and weaker film. By transforming into something new,M3GAN 2.0lost what makesM3GANso special.
Going Big Cost M3GAN What Made It Special
Going The Terminator 2 Route Might Not Have Been The Best Idea For M3GAN 2.0
The thing is,M3GAN 2.0isn’t bad. It’s got some good action, great gags, and clever commentary on the “robot uprising " tropes. There are interesting elements in the film that just don’t come together right. Maybe a tighter focus could have fixed these problems, potentially reducing the scale of the sequel and affording the film more time for the characters.
Maybe it’s the tonal shift, which largely abandons the dark comedy/horror fusion in lieu of action elements, flattens out the more unique elements of the original. It might even just be thatM3GAN works better in a tighter environmentand with a more focused story, compared to the global stakes ofM3GAN 2.0.
M3GANwas ultimately a movie about a family working through grief, coupled with some sly satire about the nature of capitalism and technology.M3GAN 2.0has a lot more thematically going on under the hood, with explorations of AI morality, the importance of autonomy, questions of parenting issues, and the application of machinery in modern society.
I enjoyedM3GAN 2.0, but nowhere near as much as I likedM3GAN.
M3GAN 2.0is doing a lot, but it’s not doing anything with the amount of character focus and unique voice that made the original movie stand out. It’s got high ambitions, and it ultimately proves to be an entertaining time. However,it’s simply not as tight of a film asM3GAN, making it less effective, efficient, and memorable.
I enjoyedM3GAN 2.0, but nowhere near as much as I likedM3GAN. That film’s subversive elements and darker aspects were the surface-level appeals for a tight script with strong performances. The script and acting inM3GAN 2.0aren’t bad, but it’s far broader and less engaging than the first film.
The characters are more one-note, their conflicts more complex but less engaging.The action is good, but not unique enough to really stand outfrom the rest of the genre in the wayM3GANimmediately distinguished itself from other horror properties. I wish I likedM3GAN 2.0more, but it just can’t replicate what made the first film so good.
