M3GAN 2.0 is the first sequel to 2023’s M3GAN, and is set to debut in theaters this upcoming weekend. Written & directed by Gerard Johnstone who also made the first, the film stars Allison Williams, Violet McGraw, Brian Jordan Alvarez, Jen Van Epps, Amie Donald, Jenna Davis, Ivanna Sakhno, Aristotle Athari, Timm Sharp, and Jemaine Clement. After the underlying tech for M3GAN is stolen and misused by a powerful defense contractor to create a military-grade weapon known as Amelia, M3GAN’s creator Gemma realizes that the only option is to resurrect M3GAN and give her a few upgrades, making her faster, stronger, and more lethal.

I remember exactly where I was when the first M3GAN came out. Sporting a wild 93% on Rotten Tomatoes, I can’t say I totally agree with that number; although, I will say it’s a good time for what it is. It does feel like it’s being held back with its rating and the exposition dumps are eye-rolling, but it still knows how to have fun, especially in that final 30 minutes. After seeing this, I don’t think the sequel is going to get anywhere close to the first one’s Rotten Tomatoes score. Honestly, I can see this being a divisive entry. Personally, I had a good time with it.

Knowing this would be a completely different genre certainly didn’t excite me. Horror isn’t my favorite genre to begin with, but to immediately change the tone within one movie is a bold choice. The trailers did nothing to excite me. Since I wasn’t a fan of the first, I went with low expectations with this one, which may have been the best way to watch it. My theater crowd had a great time with it. I do want to say something really quick though that if you are seeing a movie in crowded theater, please be respectful. No one needs to hear you laugh and gasp at literally everything. It wasn’t that funny, and it certainly wasn’t that shocking. When my theater erupted in applause, two guys behind me said the movie sucked. It’s going to be divisive, and I think I know why.

Turning this into an action film may not be for everyone. I was surprised by how much it was for me. It switches things up and gives these characters a new horror to deal with. The film is far from perfect and it’s not trying to be. It’s trying to be the modern equivalent to T2 without being exactly like it. My friend compared this to Interstellar after where they had an actual scientist work on that film. I guarantee there was no scientist who worked on it. It’s not going for accuracy. It’s going for consistency. It does exactly that with its action and humor. I feel like releasing the film during the summer was the right move.

Where it takes the first film until its final 30 minutes to get exciting, I think this was one manages to keep the pace going for the most part. The film is still riddled with cliche exposition dumps here and there that drag out a runtime that is already way too long. Cut at least a few of those and you can a similar runtime to the first. Gerard Johnstone manages to keep the film going and alive with how much occurs on screen. It is a full-on summer blockbuster that may not for those looking for a horror movie or something similar to the first one. I also feel like there is a significant lack of M3GAN this go around that may disappoint viewers.

Personally, I think there are components that the film improves on here over the first. The performances are stronger as the script gives the characters more to do. I also think there is a meaningful theme here over the first about Allison William’s character learning to be an adoptive mother to her niece. It feels more compelling here. There is still way too many exposition dumps that weren’t completely necessary. Perhaps one of the most annoying components within the script is a twist that’s obvious from the beginning. It would have just been better if it was revealed to the audience in the beginning.

The film still has some horror elements throughout. I have to give credit to Gerard Johnstone and Blumhouse for trying something different. If a third movie does happen, I could see this being the test for the future holds. Johnstone is eager to take on other genres. It reminds me a lot of what James Wan has done. Since Wan is a producer on the film, you can see where his influence comes through with the action. Much like Wan’s action, the camera work here also uses itself like its own character, giving you a more immersive experience in the action set pieces.

Maybe it was the fact that I didn’t see the first in theaters, but I found this one to be funnier. These films aren’t trying to go for something award worthy. I think they are going for entertaining its viewers long enough to make their troubles disappear for two hours. The comedy here is very silly and very random – my kind of humor.

Overall, I found M3GAN 2.0 to be a minor improvement over the first, but that’s also just me enjoying action more than horror. It’s bigger, bolder, and better. Horror & M3GAN fans may be a little let down. The film makes for a good theater experience with a large crowd. If you go in with low expectations, you may find yourself pleasantly surprised like I did.

VERDICT: 3.5/5 (Pretty Good)