I have to admit that I had low expectations for M3GAN. Between the dumb title, the release being during the dump month of January, and the fact that recent Jason Blum-produced disasters like Halloween Ends and Firestarter are the two worst horror films in recent memory, I fully expected for M3GAN to be subpar at best. To my surprise, not only is the movie way better than 95% of genre fare these days, it's also undoubtedly the most creative, fun killer doll flick since Child's Play back in 1988 and indeed there are certain parallels, intentional or not, to that brilliant gem. However, M3GAN actually has far more in common with the 2019 Child's Play remake. While it would be unfair to say that M3GAN is a rip-off of the remake, having seen that film so recently definitely gave me a sense of deja vu whole watching this. But, whatever M3GAN lacks in originality, it makes up for with a wicked sense of humor, strong performances, and a few unexpected twists.
If there is one thing that the film has going for it that so many recent horror entries lack, it's a sense of humor to go with the proceedings. There is no way to make a movie about a killer doll not be at least a little stupid, something that the filmmakers acknowledge at almost every turn with just the right amount of laughs thrown in when necessary. The story itself is ridiculous but, while the premise may be silly, the characters and performances are appropriately dramatic while still being perfectly suited to the horror/dark comedy nature of the script. Allison Williams as the lead is obviously the stand-out, giving a memorable grounded performance throughout, even as the ridiculousness mounts. There are a few moments towards the end where the finale goes off the rails and a bit too-over-the-top given what came before it, though for the majority of the running time, the tone fits just right.
A scary doll flick lives and dies based on the effectiveness of the doll in question, and the titular doll in M3GAN is certainly creepy. Looking like a cross between a Barbie and an Olsen twin, the doll here is just normal-looking enough to believably be something that a toy line would put out while also being unsettling in almost every scene. With a reported $12 million budget, all the special effects are well done; the film almost perfectly blends CGI and practical effects. There's nothing here that looks cheap, unlike most recent Blumhouse productions. The filmmakers never hide the fact that this strange doll will eventually become evil but they are able to keep the suspense going even when every member of the audience can see what is coming.
Despite being mostly predictable, the filmmakers behind M3GAN do manage to deliver on a few unexpected twists. Maybe it's because I wasn't expecting the envelope to be pushed much with a PG-13 rating but a few of the generally excepted rules of studio horror films are broken here. Without giving too much away, the body count is not just limited to the obnoxious adult characters the audience knows are going to be picked off from the moment they pop up onscreen. A few of the kills were legitimately surprising to me, which made them all the more startling. Even with a PG-13 rating, M3GAN still manages to shock at times.
Ultimately, it seems that M3GAN will start a new franchise that will probably run out of steam pretty quickly. At 90 minutes, the film is reasonably well paced and doesn't overstay its welcome. However, I can't see the premise or the title character herself being able to work for more than one movie. As a standalone, this is a stupid, fun, humorous little thrill ride that absolutely doesn't need a sequel. Recommended for horror fans. 7/10.
If there is one thing that the film has going for it that so many recent horror entries lack, it's a sense of humor to go with the proceedings. There is no way to make a movie about a killer doll not be at least a little stupid, something that the filmmakers acknowledge at almost every turn with just the right amount of laughs thrown in when necessary. The story itself is ridiculous but, while the premise may be silly, the characters and performances are appropriately dramatic while still being perfectly suited to the horror/dark comedy nature of the script. Allison Williams as the lead is obviously the stand-out, giving a memorable grounded performance throughout, even as the ridiculousness mounts. There are a few moments towards the end where the finale goes off the rails and a bit too-over-the-top given what came before it, though for the majority of the running time, the tone fits just right.
A scary doll flick lives and dies based on the effectiveness of the doll in question, and the titular doll in M3GAN is certainly creepy. Looking like a cross between a Barbie and an Olsen twin, the doll here is just normal-looking enough to believably be something that a toy line would put out while also being unsettling in almost every scene. With a reported $12 million budget, all the special effects are well done; the film almost perfectly blends CGI and practical effects. There's nothing here that looks cheap, unlike most recent Blumhouse productions. The filmmakers never hide the fact that this strange doll will eventually become evil but they are able to keep the suspense going even when every member of the audience can see what is coming.
Despite being mostly predictable, the filmmakers behind M3GAN do manage to deliver on a few unexpected twists. Maybe it's because I wasn't expecting the envelope to be pushed much with a PG-13 rating but a few of the generally excepted rules of studio horror films are broken here. Without giving too much away, the body count is not just limited to the obnoxious adult characters the audience knows are going to be picked off from the moment they pop up onscreen. A few of the kills were legitimately surprising to me, which made them all the more startling. Even with a PG-13 rating, M3GAN still manages to shock at times.
Ultimately, it seems that M3GAN will start a new franchise that will probably run out of steam pretty quickly. At 90 minutes, the film is reasonably well paced and doesn't overstay its welcome. However, I can't see the premise or the title character herself being able to work for more than one movie. As a standalone, this is a stupid, fun, humorous little thrill ride that absolutely doesn't need a sequel. Recommended for horror fans. 7/10.