No. 2 (2023) M3GAN. 11th Jan.

 

Film No. 2  (2023)  January 11th.  6:45 PM  READING CINEMAS,  Cine Premium,   Belmont.

"Oh, I'm afraid that won't work anymore. I have a new primary user, ME!" (Megan gives one of many unnerving instructions to her once primary carer, Gemma).

Part social drama, part slasher but mainly horror/comedy, M3GAN provides audiences with an entertainment opportunity of the unique kind. Made for $12m, supposedly, the film is already a runaway success ($50m within week 2 of opening, worldwide). People putting their "bums on seats", in cinemas', in this streaming age says much about the film and more about their gradual return to the ultimate film experience (big screen entertainment). 

I had fun with M3GAN. I've read comparisons of the film with CHILD'S PLAY and THE TERMINATOR. Failing a couple of robot, electronic themes, M3GAN is very much its own "beast". The fact there are a couple of surprise elements, generally related to who dies and how darkly humorous those scenes are, give it a quality I haven't seen on screen before. A couple of the funniest lines are delivered by actors who appear for shorter moments than some extras. Gerard Johnstone has taken a risk with his material. The risks have paid off.

So when Gemma (Allison Williams,  GET OUT), a robotics toy developer for a major company, becomes the primary carer for her  niece Cady (Violet McGraw)  after the recent death of her sister (distinct lack of sadness here after a road trauma)  her latest brainchild M3gan has to be folded into the new domestic/professional life she juggles. Does Gemma cut corners with the development while rushing the meet a company deadline to seal a deal? Cute Cady helps exemplify the advantages of having a M3gan around the house.   

The script is ripe and refreshing but the real stars here, from a physical and voice POV,  are Amie Donald and Jenna Davis (in that order) . They give M3gan the aesthetic pull that has, and continues to, woo audiences. You could swear, in this electronically advanced world of ours, that Megan is indeed a controlled android of sorts. She isn't, Donald and Davis are outstanding. 

Join the queue, I say. M3gan is entertainment that may only disappoint  the slasher/horror lovers who don't get enough blood and open wounds. The script, the surprises and the puppet illusion may even have you back for a second look.  10GUMS.