Movie Review: ‘M3GAN’

NEW YORK (OSV News) — The devil doll subgenre of horror films is not exactly a niche noted for quality productions. Yet, by subverting its central trope to further comic, rather than supposedly scary, ends, screenwriter Akela Cooper and director Gerard Johnstone serve up a wickedly funny treat in “M3GAN” (Universal).

For a variety of reasons, however, their wild satire is too highly spiced for kids. Grown-ups, by contrast, especially those with a taste for sardonic wit, will likely relish it.

Curiously, in light of what follows, the proceedings begin in a somewhat somber mood. In the aftermath of a car accident that claimed the lives of both her sister and brother-in-law, electronic toy developer Gemma (Allison Williams) suddenly becomes the guardian of their only child, her 8-year-old niece, Cady (Violet McGraw).

Career-focused and emotionally repressed, 24/7 caregiver is not a role for which Gemma feels especially qualified. Her tentative initial efforts to bond with Cady prove less than successful.

So Gemma turns to one of her latest creations, the highly advanced young-girl android of the title, for help. With her encouragement, M3GAN becomes a friend, full-time babysitter and substitute parent to Cady. But the robot is also charged with keeping Cady safe and takes the responsibility of protecting her to fatal extremes.

Along with wreaking havoc, M3GAN makes hilariously on-target observations about human foibles and contemporary social trends. Her deadpan tone, moreover, is an amusing mashup of the Star Trek franchise’s coldly logical Mr. Spock and Hal 9000, the rebellious computer featured in 1968’s “2001: A Space Odyssey.”

The mayhem caused by M3GAN’s wayward bodyguarding is depicted with restraint. And the movie’s few serious moments showcase the need for familial unity as Cady is ultimately forced to decide who really has her best interests at heart. But the fate of those from whom M3GAN seeks to exact her own caricatured version of justice is too disturbing for youngsters.

The film contains intermittent violence with some gore, scatological gags, several instances each of profanity and milder swearing, at least one rough term and about a dozen crude expressions. The OSV News classification is A-III — adults. The Motion Picture Association rating is PG-13 — parents strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.

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