In 1982, Ridley Scott adapted Philip K. Dick’s “Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?”. Scott gave his film the title “Blade Runner” and created a timeless masterpiece of sci-fi cinema. In the film, Ford, aka Rick Deckard, must contend with runaway robots that are almost indistinguishable from real humans. What questions do we have to ask ourselves, do we give our children such a lifelike robot that will become their constant companion and controlled by artificial intelligence, learn something new every day? Well, maybe we can find answers in James Wan and Jason Blum’s new science fiction horror comedy: M3GAN.
WHAT IS M3GAN ABOUT?
Gemma is a roboticist at Funki, a Seattle-based tech company specializing in toys. She is an absolute workaholic. Even at home, Gemma continues to work on her development.
It has to be because the deadline for a new product launch has now been reached. But how could it be otherwise; the product is far from finished.
As if that wasn’t stressful enough, Gemma’s life is turned upside down when she suddenly has to take care of her little niece, Cady. To focus on work while also comforting and keeping Cady busy, Gemma pulls out the Model 3 Generative ANdroid prototype, or M3GAN for short, from the box. Here it was dormant after a failed pitch.
M3GAN is a lifelike doll. With her silicone skin and state-of-the-art robotic skeleton, she doesn’t just look like a girl. M3GAN can also move and even dance just like a girl.
Gemma built for her an AI unit that enables M3GAN to independently acquire new knowledge every day. M3GAN also has an ability that could be called empathy. Because the Android recognizes every mood of her primary user Cady. Depending on Cady’s mood, M3GAN can fool around with her or comfort her. M3GAN can also be strict when it comes to Cady’s upbringing.
What Gemma didn’t realize is that due to her AI, M3GAN is able to change her own programming and act more and more autonomously. Since M3GAN’s primary goal is to keep Cady from any pain, her intelligence becomes a menacing risk. Because the robot keeps noticing that other people, including Gemma, hurt Cady’s feelings.
THE M3GAN MAIN CAST
GEMMA – ALLISON WILLIAMS
Allison Williams was born on April 13, 1988, in Connecticut, USA. After successfully completing her studies at Yale, she launched her career.
Allison was able to celebrate her first success with the series “Girls”. Allison’s international breakthrough came with Get Out. The psychological thriller was also produced by Blumhouse and won an Academy Award for Best Screenplay. In M3GAN she convinces as an introverted technology nerd who is quite overwhelmed with the real world.
CADY – VIOLET MCGRAW
Violet McGraw is the youngest of four children. Funny, her siblings are also actors. And what kind of! Jack McGraw starred in The Good Dinosaur and Aidan in American Sniper. However, Violet’s older sister, Madeleine, steals the show. She starred in the 2022 horror hit The Black Phone alongside Mason Thames. Both simply blew us away with their joy of playing.
Violet now does the same as her sister. Because, as Cady, Violet is simply excellent in M3GAN. She lives out her emotions and convinces with authenticity and with a lot of heart.
Even though Violet McGraw is still very young, she can already point to exciting filmography. For example, she played in Steven Spielberg’s film: Ready Player One in 2018. In 2021, we saw her in Marvel’s Black Widow. With her talent, we are sure that both Violet and Madeleine McGraw have great careers ahead of them.
M3GAN – AMIE DONALD (JENNA DAVIS)
Cute Amie Donald is actually the opposite of M3GAN. She is sweet and lovely. Amie was born in the Land Down Under, Australia.
At the age of 9, the adorable Amie was selected to be part of the New Zealand team at the Dance World Cup in Braga, Portugal (2019). She was the first artist from New Zealand to win a medal after she received a silver medal for jazz and a bronze medal for contemporary dance.
Anyway, it’s a pleasure to hear the cute New Zealander share her thoughts on her role as M3GAN.
If you want you can also follow her on Amie’s Instagram Account.
REVIEW
Jason Blum also seems to be a workaholic. Because his label Blumhouse brings out one horror shocker after the other. Get Out won an Oscar in 2017. In 2021, The Black Phone was finally a real horror film worthy of the name.
With M3GAN we are now entering an area that looks very futuristic at first glance. At a second glance, we see that it only takes a few more steps to develop an Android like M3GAN in reality.
SCI-FI? OR REALITY?
Leaving aside her doll face and high-tech skeleton, we’re not that far off from a “toy” like M3GAN today. There are already powerful robots with a human-like endoskeletons. Our smart home is constantly learning with each of our commands. It partly controls our devices completely autonomously. Google & Co. already know what we are looking for before we have even typed the corresponding words. They all make our everyday life easier. Yes, indeed. But what do we pay for it finally?
THE QUESTION?
So what is it like when an AI-controlled doll enters our lives and independently and rapidly acquires a wide variety of skills that ultimately make us superior?
HORROR OR COMEDY?
With M3GAN, Jason Blum and James Wan show a possible scenario. In this, the producers and director Gerard Johnstone mix comedy with action, horror, and thriller elements. However, anyone who expects a classic horror film from M3GAN will be disappointed. Because the subtle horror of the film relates to our everyday life.
In her young life, M3GAN instantly encounters the human abyss. There is an introverted workaholic who only knows work and is completely alien to children’s needs. In addition, there is a CEO who, of course, only has profit in mind.
Furthermore, there is an industrial spy who unscrupulously sells the achievements of others to third parties. Finally, there are disrespectful neighbors and children who torment others.
THE ANSWER?
So, who is worse? M3GAN or us humans? You have to answer the question yourself. But the approach that the film raises here is certainly exciting. The robot protects Cady at all costs. M3GAN comforts the playmate.
She educates Cady and teaches her. It is fascinating to watch the sad child recover and find again joy in life. What is exciting is that Cady does not see a robot in M3GAN, but a real friend, while the people around her are strangers to her.
IS M3GAN WORTH SEEING?
Hence, M3GAN is more than pure action and comedy. It’s a film that’s fun to watch when you’re in the cinema or in front of your home screen. And it’s a film that makes you think, whether you leave the hall or switch off the device.
M3GAN is certainly not a cinematic masterpiece, but it is a film well worth seeing, starring a heartwarming young star, Violeta a.k.a. Cady, and good actors on her side.
In addition, the score is funny on the one hand (when M3GAN plays the piano) and on the other hand very driving and in any case coherent. Besides, of course, the special effects are cool too.
So now we recommend going to the cinema and watching M3GAN. We give 7 points.
Text: Marco Kokkot
Premiere Images: ©2022 ABImages
Film Images: © Universal Pictures. All Rights Reserved.
