The Stream: Very slow getting to the action and kind of predictable.

The Big Screen: M3GAN is creepy and has some funny one liners.

The Final Bill: Not really scary and not very funny, but good enough for a creepy time at the movies.

– Trip Fontaine
Director: Gerard Johnstone
Writers: Akela Cooper (screenplay by); story by James Wan and Akela Cooper
Stars: Allison Williams, Violet McGraw, Amie Donald
Genre: Horror, Sci-Fi, Thriller
Rating: PG-13 for violent content and terror, some strong language and a suggestive reference
Runtime: 1 hour 34 minutes
Production Companies: Blumhouse Productions, Atomic Monster, Universal Pictures, Divide/Conquer
Platform: In theaters January 6, 2023
Notable Trailers: MISSING, Ant-man and the Wasp: Quantumania, Evil Dead Rise, Renfield, Knock at the Cabin

Happy New Year, Streamers! We all want to do bigger and better things in the new year, right? Bring it on, 2023! Let’s start with the highly anticipated sci-fi, horror, thriller, M3GAN, which was released in theaters on January 6, 2023. I know you’ve seen the trailers and all the memes of the dancing, creepy robot doll. Now, the movie that inspired all of that virality is finally out. Let’s see if it lives up to the hype.

The basic plot of M3GAN begins when Cady (Violet McGraw) comes to live with her aunt, Gemma (Allison Williams). Cady is mourning the death of her parents, and Gemma is ill-equipped to handle her emotionally fragile niece. Gemma is an engineer and toy designer working on increasingly advanced toys. Gemma has been working on a prototype for M3GAN (Model 3 Generative Android), and she uses M3GAN’s artificial intelligence technology to pair her as a personal companion and protector to Cady. Of course, deadly consequences and creepy hijinks ensue.

M3GAN is very slow to get started. There is a lot of set up to get to the murderous doll on the loose, which is what we all came for. The movie takes its time to establish Gemma’s job, Gemma’s lack of personal life, Cady’s transition to living with Gemma, and Gemma’s difficulty fitting Cady into her life. It takes too long when all we really want in this demented doll to start creating mayhem. I didn’t time when that actually occurs, but I definitely was getting a bit restless. Honestly, we’ve seen this movie before so let’s just get to the action, okay?!?

Secondly, the best parts of M3GAN are already revealed in the trailer. They are still good in the context of the movie, but they lose some potency and surprise because we’ve already seen them. Nevertheless, the visual effects are fun and the performance of Amie Donald, who physically portrays M3GAN, is really good. She moves in a creepy way and the dancing is hilarious. There are also some one liners delivered by M3GAN that are both funny and ridiculous. I only wish the movie overall was funnier. It’s a silly concept and it doesn’t take itself too seriously, but it is all very predictable, but never is it scary.

Ultimately, M3GAN is a good time at the movies. If you’ve seen these movies where inanimate objects take on a demented life of their own, then you’ve seen this one before. However, there are interesting aspects like the visual effects, some lines and the performance of Amie McDonald – but it’s not scary, if that’s what you want. Since some of the best moments are spoiled by the trailers, I’d only suggest a matinee viewing to start off your weekend. Just a bow of popcorn is enough.