<p>Going into M3GAN, I was fully prepared for a chilling experience. The story is about an AI-powered, talking doll going rogue, after all. And indeed, the movie often does maintain a creepy feeling and a sense of dread. And towards the end, it enters into downright terrifying territory. But I was not at all ready for how wacky and hilarious the movie would be. Directed by Gerard Johnstone (whose Housebound should be on the watchlist of every horror comedy lover) and written by Akela Cooper, the film is both a departure and a homage to creepy doll movies like Annabelle and Chucky franchises.</p>

<p>Allison Williams' Gemma works as a roboticist in a company that makes high-tech robotic companion toys for children. She has been developing a secret prototype for a lifelike doll with advanced capabilities like sentience, heightened intelligence, realistic facial expressions, and she can also learn and adapt to her environment by processing information fed through her "eyes". Like other products of the company, M3GAN (Model 3 Generative Android) is meant to care for kids, both physically and emotionally, in their parents' absence but has not been properly tested.&nbsp;</p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/BRb4U99OU80" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p>

<p>Gemma is saddled with the responsibility of her niece, Cady (Violet McGraw) whose parents died in a car accident. Conveniently for Gemma, for whom guardianship is strange and scary, Cady comes as a perfect subject for M3GAN. The little girl is paired with the robot as a primary user.&nbsp;</p>

<p>M3GAN is naturally protective of Cady, and Gemma allows herself some work while the child is under the care of the robot. But what she did not anticipate was the strength and sentient mind of her own creation. To paraphrase that great chaotician, Ian Malcolm, she was so preoccupied with whether she could, she didn’t stop to think if she should. The consequences are gradually disastrous.&nbsp;</p>

<p>M3GAN was programmed to protect Cady from each and everything she deems to be a threat to her ward, and she does not possess a sense of conscience or any other human qualities that may make her rethink her decisions. An excitable neighbourhood dog, a bully at school, potentially even Gemma — anyone endangering Cady or even raising her anxiety levels is a menace to be eliminated. Even when Gemma wants Cady to eat her vegetables, M3GAN looks at her with a frightening awareness that she will utilise later in the film.&nbsp;</p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/OoDHM_A1axc" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p>

<p>Universal's marketing campaign for M3GAN is a legend by now, though I took great care to steer clear of it (which involves muting related keywords on Twitter, and so on. I am nothing if not thorough). And turned out to be great. M3GAN should ideally be watched without learning anything about it. Due to my job, I had to see the trailer. But they were, thankfully, not too spoiler-ish. I managed to avoid posters, promo clips, interviews, and even reviews.&nbsp;</p>

<p>M3GAN is a joy from start to finish, irrespective of your general opinion on creepy doll movies. For the titular doll is a thing of dark majesty, and a far cry from the mostly passive dolls in other horror media. The design is extremely careful and deliberate to evoke a sense of uncanny valley, instead of hyperrealism. M3GAN's eyes look shadowed and always seem to possess a devilish intelligence that is far beyond human capacity. The doll is frightening in a primal way, and way before it actually begins to wreak havoc.&nbsp;</p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/critically-speaking-is-avatar-the-way-of-water-worth-the-hype-543816/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>The throughlines are a bit pat and done better in other movies: dangers of AI,&nbsp;kids' relation to gadgets, and so on. But you will be hard pressed to notice any of that, M3GAN&nbsp;is so consistently entertaining.</p>

<p>And despite all the horror, gore, and screams, M3GAN, the movie that is, remains winking and self-reverential. Even a couple of deaths are funny — &nbsp;never mind the clotting blood on the slit throat — and you will not even feel guilty for laughing.</p>

<p>I cannot for the life of me understand what took Johnstone so long to direct a movie again. He has retained his keen sense of combining the winking humour and the macabre in a delicious, irresistible combination. Cooper's script is almost entirely without a weak spot.&nbsp;</p>

<p>M3GAN is an unadulterated joy.</p>


Going into M3GAN, I was fully prepared for a chilling experience. The story is about an AI-powered, talking doll going rogue, after all. And indeed, the movie often does maintain a creepy feeling and a sense of dread.

Going into M3GAN, I was fully prepared for a chilling experience. The story is about an AI-powered, talking doll going rogue, after all. And indeed, the movie often does maintain a creepy feeling and a sense of dread. And towards the end, it enters into downright terrifying territory. But I was not at all ready for how wacky and hilarious the movie would be. Directed by Gerard Johnstone (whose Housebound should be on the watchlist of every horror comedy lover) and written by Akela Cooper, the film is both a departure and a homage to creepy doll movies like Annabelle and Chucky franchises. Allison Williams' Gemma works as a roboticist in a company that makes high-tech robotic companion toys for children. She has been developing a secret prototype for a lifelike doll with advanced capabilities like sentience, heightened intelligence, realistic facial expressions, and she can also learn and adapt to her environment by processing information fed through her "eyes". Like other products of the company, M3GAN (Model 3 Generative Android) is meant to care for kids, both physically and emotionally, in their parents' absence but has not been properly tested. Gemma is saddled with the responsibility of her niece, Cady (Violet McGraw) whose parents died in a car accident. Conveniently for Gemma, for whom guardianship is strange and scary, Cady comes as a perfect subject for M3GAN. The little girl is paired with the robot as a primary user. M3GAN is naturally protective of Cady, and Gemma allows herself some work while the child is under the care of the robot. But what she did not anticipate was the strength and sentient mind of her own creation. To paraphrase that great chaotician, Ian Malcolm, she was so preoccupied with whether she could, she didn’t stop to think if she should. The consequences are gradually disastrous. M3GAN was programmed to protect Cady from each and everything she deems to be a threat to her ward, and she does not possess a sense of conscience or any other human qualities that may make her rethink her decisions. An excitable neighbourhood dog, a bully at school, potentially even Gemma — anyone endangering Cady or even raising her anxiety levels is a menace to be eliminated. Even when Gemma wants Cady to eat her vegetables, M3GAN looks at her with a frightening awareness that she will utilise later in the film. Universal's marketing campaign for M3GAN is a legend by now, though I took great care to steer clear of it (which involves muting related keywords on Twitter, and so on. I am nothing if not thorough). And turned out to be great. M3GAN should ideally be watched without learning anything about it. Due to my job, I had to see the trailer. But they were, thankfully, not too spoiler-ish. I managed to avoid posters, promo clips, interviews, and even reviews. M3GAN is a joy from start to finish, irrespective of your general opinion on creepy doll movies. For the titular doll is a thing of dark majesty, and a far cry from the mostly passive dolls in other horror media. The design is extremely careful and deliberate to evoke a sense of uncanny valley, instead of hyperrealism. M3GAN's eyes look shadowed and always seem to possess a devilish intelligence that is far beyond human capacity. The doll is frightening in a primal way, and way before it actually begins to wreak havoc. The throughlines are a bit pat and done better in other movies: dangers of AI, kids' relation to gadgets, and so on. But you will be hard pressed to notice any of that, M3GAN is so consistently entertaining. And despite all the horror, gore, and screams, M3GAN, the movie that is, remains winking and self-reverential. Even a couple of deaths are funny — never mind the clotting blood on the slit throat — and you will not even feel guilty for laughing. I cannot for the life of me understand what took Johnstone so long to direct a movie again. He has retained his keen sense of combining the winking humour and the macabre in a delicious, irresistible combination. Cooper's script is almost entirely without a weak spot. M3GAN is an unadulterated joy.

M3GAN movie review: This horror movie is a creepy, madcap delight

<p>The first critical reviews of 'M3GAN' are out. The science-fiction horror film, produced by James Wan, centres around the titular AI-powered android meant to be a child's minder and thus ally of parents. Short for Model 3 Generative Android, the doll is developed by roboticist Gemma (Allison Williams) to take care of her recently orphaned niece Cady (Violet McGraw). However, things go bad when the doll gains sentience and becomes too overprotective of the child, leading to horrific outcomes for others. Directed by Gerard Johnstone and written by Akela Cooper, the film also stars Ronny Chieng, and Brian Jordan Alvarez.</p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/BRb4U99OU80" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p>

<p>On Rotten Tomatoes, a popular review aggregation site, the film has scored an impressive 96 per cent after 54 reviews thus far. The critical consensus reads, "Unapologetically silly and all the more entertaining for it, M3GAN is the rare horror-comedy that delivers chuckles as effortlessly as chills."</p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/exclusive-shekhar-kapur-talks-about-whats-going-wrong-with-bollywood-531104/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>Also Read:&nbsp;<strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/30-most-anticipated-hollywood-movies-of-2023-oppenheimer-dune-2-mission-impossible-6-and-more-547375#m3gan-january-6-547327">30 most anticipated Hollywood movies of 2023: 'Oppenheimer', 'Dune 2', 'Mission Impossible 6', and more</a></strong></p>

<p><strong>Here are some of the reviews of 'M3GAN:</strong></p>

<p>LA Times' Katie Walsh wrote, "The jump scares in the fun, funny thrill ride that is “M3GAN” elicit more giggles than groans, but there are also intriguing connections being made on “M3GAN’s” motherboard, behind the glossy surface."</p>

<p>Slant Magazine's Derek Smith wrote, "There’s enough sardonic humor to keep the proceedings edgy enough, but it’s hard not to wish that the filmmakers would’ve taken a cue from their eponymous villain and really pushed things past the boundaries of good taste."</p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/OoDHM_A1axc" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p>

<p>Entertainment Weekly's Leah Greenblatt wrote, "A scampering Blumhouse caper that turns out to be blithely self-aware, negligibly jump-scary, and mostly very fun."</p>

<p>Flickery Myth's Robert Kojder wrote, "An intelligently unhinged work that updates the killer dolls subgenre for the modern era; it’s the unholy love child of Child’s Play and The Terminator with a welcome skewering of technological dependency."</p>

<p>'M3GAN' will be released in the United States on January 6.&nbsp;</p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe></p>


The first critical reviews of 'M3GAN' are out. The science-fiction horror film, produced by James Wan, centres around the titular AI-powered android meant to be a child's minder and thus ally of parents.

The first critical reviews of 'M3GAN' are out. The science-fiction horror film, produced by James Wan, centres around the titular AI-powered android meant to be a child's minder and thus ally of parents. Short for Model 3 Generative Android, the doll is developed by roboticist Gemma (Allison Williams) to take care of her recently orphaned niece Cady (Violet McGraw). However, things go bad when the doll gains sentience and becomes too overprotective of the child, leading to horrific outcomes for others. Directed by Gerard Johnstone and written by Akela Cooper, the film also stars Ronny Chieng, and Brian Jordan Alvarez. On Rotten Tomatoes, a popular review aggregation site, the film has scored an impressive 96 per cent after 54 reviews thus far. The critical consensus reads, "Unapologetically silly and all the more entertaining for it, M3GAN is the rare horror-comedy that delivers chuckles as effortlessly as chills." Also Read: 30 most anticipated Hollywood movies of 2023: 'Oppenheimer', 'Dune 2', 'Mission Impossible 6', and more Here are some of the reviews of 'M3GAN: LA Times' Katie Walsh wrote, "The jump scares in the fun, funny thrill ride that is “M3GAN” elicit more giggles than groans, but there are also intriguing connections being made on “M3GAN’s” motherboard, behind the glossy surface." Slant Magazine's Derek Smith wrote, "There’s enough sardonic humor to keep the proceedings edgy enough, but it’s hard not to wish that the filmmakers would’ve taken a cue from their eponymous villain and really pushed things past the boundaries of good taste." Entertainment Weekly's Leah Greenblatt wrote, "A scampering Blumhouse caper that turns out to be blithely self-aware, negligibly jump-scary, and mostly very fun." Flickery Myth's Robert Kojder wrote, "An intelligently unhinged work that updates the killer dolls subgenre for the modern era; it’s the unholy love child of Child’s Play and The Terminator with a welcome skewering of technological dependency." 'M3GAN' will be released in the United States on January 6.

'M3GAN' review roundup: James Wan's sci-fi horror film pleases critics

<p>James Cameron's 'Avatar: The Way of Water' has enjoyed smooth sailing at the box office thus far, but that might change with James Wan-produced horror film 'M3GAN'. Directed by Gerard Johnstone and penned by Akela Cooper, the film has Allison Williams's Gemma being saddled with the responsibility of an orphaned 8-year-old niece, Cady (Violet McGraw). To make her life easier, she gets the little girl an AI-powered doll to protect her. However, it all goes haywire, when the titular doll goes bananas, hurting people who she wrongly deems as threats to the child. The movie will release in the United States and Canada on January 6.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also Read:&nbsp;<strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/30-most-anticipated-hollywood-movies-of-2023-oppenheimer-dune-2-mission-impossible-6-and-more-547375#m3gan-january-6-547327">30 most anticipated Hollywood movies of 2023: 'Oppenheimer', 'Dune 2', 'Mission Impossible 6', and more</a></strong></p>

<p>As per early predictions, the film is set to make $17-$20 million in its opening weekend, reported Collider. Based on a story by Cooper and Wan, the film also stars Ronny Chieng, and Brian Jordan Alvarez.</p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/critically-speaking-is-avatar-the-way-of-water-worth-the-hype-543816/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>The official synopsis of the film reads, "M3GAN is a marvel of artificial intelligence, a life-like doll programmed to be a child’s greatest companion and a parent’s greatest ally. Designed by brilliant toy-company roboticist Gemma (Get Out’s Allison Williams), M3GAN can listen and watch and learn as she becomes a friend and teacher, playmate, and protector, for the child she is bonded to. When Gemma suddenly becomes the caretaker of her orphaned 8-year-old niece, Cady (Violet McGraw, The Haunting of Hill House), Gemma’s unsure and unprepared to be a parent. Under intense pressure at work, Gemma decides to pair her M3GAN prototype with Cady in an attempt to resolve both problems—a decision that will have unimaginable consequences."</p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/BRb4U99OU80" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p>

<p>'The Way of Water', meanwhile, has grossed $1.44 billion, which is just shy of $1.48 billion of 'Top Gun: Maverick', the highest-grossing movie of 2022. A sequel to 2009's 'Avatar', it continues the story of the Sully family and introduces new adventures for Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) a paraplegic marine who sided with the Na’vi in the conflict against humans in the original and became one of the tall, lithe, and blue-hued natives himself. He and his Na’vi wife Neytiri (Zoe Saldana) have children now: three of theirs&nbsp;and two adopted. The stakes are higher than ever before. Oh, and an old foe is back in a different, er, avatar.</p>

<p>'Avatar: The Way of Water' has received positive reviews. On the review aggregation site Rotten Tomatoes, the film scored 77 percent. Wion's review of the film read, "Basically, I have the same complaints with ‘The Way of Water’ that I had with the original ‘Avatar’. No one in their right mind would take exception to his vision, but beneath all that eye candy, the film has a painfully conventional story involving conventional characters told in a traditional Cameron way. The director has never been an impressive deviser of complex, gripping plots and characters beyond the surface level. He does have the uncanny ability to build exciting narratives around action set pieces, and 'The Way of Water' is no exception. 'The Way of Water' is, in effect, a typical Cameron movie with all its glories and downfalls.'<br />
&nbsp;</p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe></p>


James Cameron's 'Avatar: The Way of Water' has enjoyed smooth sailing at the box office thus far, but that might change with James Wan-produced horror film 'M3GAN'.

James Cameron's 'Avatar: The Way of Water' has enjoyed smooth sailing at the box office thus far, but that might change with James Wan-produced horror film 'M3GAN'. Directed by Gerard Johnstone and penned by Akela Cooper, the film has Allison Williams's Gemma being saddled with the responsibility of an orphaned 8-year-old niece, Cady (Violet McGraw). To make her life easier, she gets the little girl an AI-powered doll to protect her. However, it all goes haywire, when the titular doll goes bananas, hurting people who she wrongly deems as threats to the child. The movie will release in the United States and Canada on January 6. Also Read: 30 most anticipated Hollywood movies of 2023: 'Oppenheimer', 'Dune 2', 'Mission Impossible 6', and more As per early predictions, the film is set to make $17-$20 million in its opening weekend, reported Collider. Based on a story by Cooper and Wan, the film also stars Ronny Chieng, and Brian Jordan Alvarez. The official synopsis of the film reads, "M3GAN is a marvel of artificial intelligence, a life-like doll programmed to be a child’s greatest companion and a parent’s greatest ally. Designed by brilliant toy-company roboticist Gemma (Get Out’s Allison Williams), M3GAN can listen and watch and learn as she becomes a friend and teacher, playmate, and protector, for the child she is bonded to. When Gemma suddenly becomes the caretaker of her orphaned 8-year-old niece, Cady (Violet McGraw, The Haunting of Hill House), Gemma’s unsure and unprepared to be a parent. Under intense pressure at work, Gemma decides to pair her M3GAN prototype with Cady in an attempt to resolve both problems—a decision that will have unimaginable consequences." 'The Way of Water', meanwhile, has grossed $1.44 billion, which is just shy of $1.48 billion of 'Top Gun: Maverick', the highest-grossing movie of 2022. A sequel to 2009's 'Avatar', it continues the story of the Sully family and introduces new adventures for Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) a paraplegic marine who sided with the Na’vi in the conflict against humans in the original and became one of the tall, lithe, and blue-hued natives himself. He and his Na’vi wife Neytiri (Zoe Saldana) have children now: three of theirs and two adopted. The stakes are higher than ever before. Oh, and an old foe is back in a different, er, avatar. 'Avatar: The Way of Water' has received positive reviews. On the review aggregation site Rotten Tomatoes, the film scored 77 percent. Wion's review of the film read, "Basically, I have the same complaints with ‘The Way of Water’ that I had with the original ‘Avatar’. No one in their right mind would take exception to his vision, but beneath all that eye candy, the film has a painfully conventional story involving conventional characters told in a traditional Cameron way. The director has never been an impressive deviser of complex, gripping plots and characters beyond the surface level. He does have the uncanny ability to build exciting narratives around action set pieces, and 'The Way of Water' is no exception. 'The Way of Water' is, in effect, a typical Cameron movie with all its glories and downfalls.'

'Avatar 2' faces first big box office challenge in James Wan's horror film 'M3GAN'

m3gan-review

M3gan Review, News on M3gan Review, stories on M3gan Review, articles on M3gan Review, M3gan Review stories at Wion, M3gan Review news, M3gan Review latest news

m3gan review

M3GAN movie review: This horror movie is a creepy, madcap delight

'M3GAN' review roundup: James Wan's sci-fi horror film pleases critics

'Avatar 2' faces first big box office challenge in James Wan's horror film 'M3GAN'