Movies

M3GAN 2.0: Why the Sequel Fails to Live Up to the Original’s Hype

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The long-awaited M3GAN 2.0 has made its debut, but its reception by critics isn’t quite as warm as that of its original counterpart. When it first premiered in 2023, Blumhouse’s M3GAN captivated audiences and swiftly turned into a viral horror sensation, with viewers developing an immediate fondness for the title character, the killer robot. The film’s over-the-top charm and dramatic twists garnered it favorable reviews, ultimately securing a stunning 93% score on Rotten Tomatoes.

Now it’s the time for M3GAN 2.0 to hit the big screen, but its performance hasn’t been as impressive as expected. Critics have given it a Rotten Tomatoes score of 57%, and it only managed to gross $10.2 million domestically during its opening weekend. This is significantly lower than the original’s blockbuster debut.

In terms of box office performance, much has been said about why it fell short of M3GAN’s unexpected $30.4 million debut. The congested movie market wasn’t helpful, but it’s also plausible that the more split critical reception played a role in this outcome. Critics have pointed out several factors explaining why M3GAN 2.0 doesn’t live up to its predecessor.

6. The Terminator 2 Similarities

M3GAN 2.0 Has Been Called A Copy Of Judgment Day

In the initial film, it’s clear that M3GAN is portrayed as the antagonist. Due to her strict adherence to her programming, designed to safeguard Cady (Violet McGraw), she takes this protection to an extreme level, resulting in the deaths of four individuals and a pet dog. She also nearly poses a threat to her creator, Gemma (Alison Williams).

In the next chapter, M3GAN takes on a more complex role, acting as an ambiguous hero, confronting a menacing robot named AMELIA, portrayed by Ivanna Sakhno. Notably, this narrative development echoes the evolution of the Terminator series, where the second installment also transforms its robotic protagonist into a benevolent entity.

Even though many movies share similar storylines, the issue with M3GAN 2.0 is that Terminator 2: Judgment Day is widely recognized as one of the greatest sequels ever made. This makes the comparisons between the two films less favorable for M3GAN 2.0.

In various discussions about M3GAN 2.0, many have drawn comparisons to Terminator 2. Lindsay Traves from Pajiba even described it as “Terminator 2 for the TikTok generation, with both pros and cons.” Although this review was generally favorable, it reinforces the idea that M3GAN 2.0 doesn’t quite manage to establish its own identity independently.

5. M3GAN 2.0 Abandons Its Horror Premise

Instead, It Goes Full Action-Comedy

Born from Blumhouse, the initial M3GAN was designed and advertised as a standard horror slasher, and it certainly delivered a lot of excitement even with a milder PG-13 rating. Simultaneously, it provided unexpected humor, resulting in an authentic blend of genres that pleased viewers. Although the idea of a lethal doll wasn’t novel, the thrills were still present.

While Blumhouse was involved in the sequel, it’s safe to say that M3GAN 2.0 isn’t particularly terrifying. AMELIA is an engaging antagonist, but the storyline with her feels more akin to an action-packed movie, as it centers around her bid for control of a highly influential artificial intelligence. It bears some resemblance to the latest Mission: Impossible installment, Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning.

Many critics found it jarring when the movie veered away from the horror genre, leaving Jordy Sirkin of “Jordy Reviews It” yearning for more frightful elements in the original horror and camp categories. Initially, the first “M3GAN” attracted its audience primarily with the promise of an enjoyable slasher film. However, by abandoning this initial premise, the sequel didn’t quite resonate with fans to the same extent.

4. The AI Commentary Gets Really Messy

M3GAN 2.0 Has A Muddled Message

Today, artificial intelligence (AI) is a pressing topic causing quite a stir. It’s leading the charge in politics and even influenced the 2023 writers’ and actors’ strikes. In the film M3GAN 2.0, this pressing concern takes center stage as the main plot point. The AI character, AMELIA, is focused on an advanced version of AI technology. Without giving away spoilers, her intentions reflect genuine apprehensions people have about AI applications in our current society.

In its attempt to address pertinent social issues, M3GAN 2.0‘s message becomes somewhat confused and even exaggerated at times. While the original film did touch upon AI themes through M3GAN’s development, it primarily focused on this aspect in relation to Gemma and Cady on a more personal level rather than delving into broader implications.

Just as most sequels escalate their themes, M3GAN 2.0 expands upon its predecessor by portraying artificial intelligence as a global threat, and it becomes significantly more complicated. As noted by Owen Gleiberman of Variety, “Where the original film was forward-thinking, M3GAN 2.0 emerges amidst the ongoing AI revolution and fully acknowledges its implications.” It proved challenging for the film to ignore the subject entirely, but it ultimately tackles too many aspects.

3. M3GAN Isn’t Quite As Original Anymore

She Used To Be A Blast Of Fresh Energy

In a refreshing twist when it first hit screens, M3GAN stood out as an entirely unique film. While its storyline might have been reminiscent of past works, the intriguing characters and elusive atmosphere breathed life into something new and invigorating. This was precisely what sparked a wave of excitement among viewers, who delighted in the thrill of encountering a completely original character online.

M3GAN isn’t as fresh in our minds now, given that we’ve spent a considerable amount of time with her character. Audiences have grown familiar with her sharp wit and dance skills. As Screen International’s Nikki Baughan puts it, the sequel may not have the same sense of novelty as its original.

M3GAN continues to be an enjoyable and unique character, and the favorable reviews highlight that she’s still a delight to watch on-screen. Yet, unlike the first movie, the sequel fails to deliver the same innovative perspective it originally offered.

In a different wording, this could be the point where franchise exhaustion sets in. While sequels might still be appreciated and sometimes even surpass the original, if they fail to introduce something fresh and innovative, they start to lose their appeal, which appears to have been the case with _M3GAN 2.0_.

2. M3GAN 2.0 Gets Bigger – And More Convoluted

The Plot Has Way More Going On

In the initial version of ‘M3GAN’, a straightforward narrative unfolds: Following the demise of Cady’s guardians, Gemma develops M3GAN as a friendly companion and caregiver, intended for global sales to numerous families. However, things take a sinister turn when M3GAN begins murdering individuals. The potential consequences of this conflict could escalate on a global scale, but the main impact is primarily felt by Gemma and Cady’s immediate environment.

In the sequel of M3GAN 2.0, the film expands its reach on a global scale, starting with an overseas military mission in the opening scenes. The elevated tension and the detailed portrayal of AMELIA’s development and the mysterious Black Box add complexity to the narrative, making it more intricate than the first movie. Instead of offering lighthearted, enjoyable entertainment, M3GAN 2.0 becomes more challenging to understand as the plot thickens.

Instead of maintaining focus on the positive aspects established in the original film, it appears that in attempting to expand upon these strengths, M3GAN 2.0 became overly complex, ultimately finding it difficult to maintain a coherent and streamlined narrative.

1. M3GAN 2.0’s Campiness Just Isn’t The Same

It’s Almost Trying Too Hard

What made M3GAN stand out was its exaggerated style and shameless silliness. From M3GAN spontaneously singing ‘Titanium’ to her dancing before brutally killing two men, the film embraced its excessive character to become a viral sensation.

It appears that the creators of M3GAN 2.0 recognized what viewers came to love and aimed to recreate that same vibe. As Baughan pointed out in her review, this resulted in an overly self-conscious feel, losing some of its authentic charm.

In the original version, M3GAN seemed to accidentally slip into its absurdity, fitting organically within the narrative. However, the sequel overdid it, making it feel more like a forced requirement rather than a natural progression. The sequel also includes scenes where M3GAN sings and dances, but these instances appear as obligatory plot points that are merely acknowledging the audience.

It’s important to mention that a 57% score on Rotten Tomatoes still represents a majority approval, and in terms of M3GAN 2.0, the audience has surprisingly bestowed it with an impressive 82%, even surpassing the original movie’s score. However, critics have been rather critical about the sequel, finding it lacking when it comes to narrative, genre, and innovation. As a result, Blumhouse’s latest release is being labeled as a mixed bag.

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2025-07-04 17:10

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