Latest news with #GerardJohnstone
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘M3GAN 2.0' reviews say the sequel is both too much and not enough
She's baaaaaack. Everyone's favorite viral dance craze-creating android goes from villain to (anti)hero in M3GAN 2.0, the follow-up to 2023's breakout horror hit. Once again produced by genre titans Jason Blum and James Wan, the sequel introduces a T-1000 to M3GAN's T-800 — a military-manufactured A.I. powered weapon named AMELIA. Other returning players include Alison Williams as M3GAN's maker, Gemma, and Violet McGraw as her niece, Cady. Director Gerard Johnstone is also back behind the camera for another round. More from Gold Derby Marge lives! Here are 3 other 'Simpsons' characters that returned from the grave - and 3 who stayed dead Fast cars vs. killer dolls: 'F1,' 'M3GAN 2.0' gear up for box-office showdown While the first M3GAN caught a pop culture wave, sequels to surprise successes can sometimes go astray. And the reviews for her upgrade suggest that going bigger didn't necessarily result in a movie that's necessarily better. M3GAN 2.0 currently has a 63 percent score on Rotten Tomatoes and registers at a middling 55 percent on Metacritic. Size definitely doesn't matter to Associated Press critic, Mark Kennedy. "Most of the same team that gave us the refreshing horror-comedy original two years ago have not only gone super-big, but also changed the franchise's genre," he writes, noting that the sequel goes the full-on action spectacle route. "[It] sometimes feels like the moviemakers just threw money at the sequel and tried to ape other franchises by going massive." Like many critics, David Rooney makes the Terminator 2 comparison explicit in his Hollywood Reporter writeup. "The humor is forced to compete with seriously overcomplicated plotting in a sequel that entangles its horror comedy roots with uninspired espionage elements, becoming a convoluted mishmash with shades of Terminator 2: Judgment Day, Mission: Impossible and the Austin Powers franchise," he notes. Rooney's also not a big fan of AMELIA's moves. "Too often, the star attraction takes a back seat to the much less entertaining Amelia, an icy blonde killing machine like so many icy blonde killing machines before her, with none of M3GAN's sardonic wit." Representing the middle ground, Paste's Jesse Hassenger expresses more appreciation for the franchise's genre pivot. "It's a savvy move to introduce Amelia, a killer robot weaponizing the original Megan specs to serve as a potential tool of the military-industrial complex," he writes, praising the "ridiculous fun of seeing Megan suit up for a bunch of unlikely spy missions." But the too-muchness inevitably gets to him as well. "Even with a fair number of sci-fi ideas riffing lightly on mech-suits, neural implants, anti-tech crusading, and the capacity for artificial beings to grow and change, there is no reason for this particular lightweight movie to run two full hours." Still, there are those reviewers who don't regret taking the ride — including The Wrap's Michael Ordoña. "The new movie thankfully avoids pretty much every possible pitfall of a sequel, especially the usual fate of horror follow-ups being merely bigger and bloodier rehashes," he observes. "Of course, bigger isn't always better; but here, bigger is accompanied by different." Best of Gold Derby Tom Cruise movies: 17 greatest films ranked worst to best 'It was wonderful to be on that ride': Christian Slater talks his beloved roles, from cult classics ('Heathers,' 'True Romance') to TV hits ('Mr. Robot,' 'Dexter: Original Sin') 'It almost killed me': Horror maestro Mike Flanagan looks back at career-making hits from 'Gerald's Game' to 'Hill House' to 'Life of Chuck' Click here to read the full article.
Forbes
12 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Forbes
‘M3GAN 2.0' Got The Blessing Of Steven Seagal And A Selfless Kate Bush
She's back! M3GAN in 'M3GAN 2.0' After M3GAN slayed at the box office in 2023, grossing $180 million worldwide against a $12 million budget, the studio greenlit a sequel. However, M3GAN 2.0, the follow-up to the science fiction horror film, is full of surprises, including a genre shift that leans towards action and humor, as well as the titular icon's evolution from an AI killer doll to a hero. And audiences absolutely won't be expecting an homage to the martial artist-turned-action-movie-star Steven Seagal. Cady, the girl M3gan has been tasked with protecting, is a fan of his movies and studies Aikido. "We did have to get Steven's permission," writer-director Gerard Johnstone confirms to me during a chat over Zoom. "I don't know if we sent him the script, but we absolutely did have to get permission, and he was gracious enough to give it to us. I'm well aware that he's a controversial figure, but there was something about young Steven Seagal as a presence in that era of Stallone, Van Damme, and Schwarzenegger. Here came this guy that's just completely different and so unique, and he felt like an oddity in the sort of era of those movies that I thought it was worth celebrating." "Aristotle Athari, who plays Christian, and I bonded over Seagal when we first met and talked about the role. We talked about movies we liked, and we somehow both shared a reverence for early Seagal and the presence he exuded. When I thought about Cady coming into her own as a teenager, strengthening herself as a character, and getting into martial arts, I thought it would be very funny if Gemma took her to Aikido. It is the most peaceful, non-aggressive martial art there is. Still, it has this incredibly volatile, controversial, public spokesperson for it, so I just thought that was really interesting and funny." Another pivotal moment in M3GAN 2.0 involves the classic Kate Bush track, "This Woman's Work." A fan of the legendary British singer, Johnstone has had designs on the song for a while. "It was in the script, but in an earlier draft, it was another song because the situation was different and called for a different song," the filmmaker explains. "I wanted M3gan to sing This Woman's Work over the titles of the first film, but we didn't have enough time to seek out the rights. That was a fun idea I had that I didn't get to do anything with. Once I realized the context of the scene in the sequel had changed and it was about motherhood, it felt like the most natural song choice." "I'm a massive fan of Kate Bush, and in all honesty, we shot that scene not knowing if we would get the rights; we just had to hope and pray that we did. It took a little bit of convincing, and she had to see the scene to approve it, but she did. Kate didn't take any money for it either. We gave her all we could afford, and she gave it to charity. That made me an even bigger fan." 'M3GAN 2.0' Is Influenced By An Eclectic Selection Of Classic Movies Set two years after the first film, M3GAN's creator, Gemma, played by Allison Williams, resurrects her notorious invention to take down Amelia, the military-grade weapon built by a defense contractor who stole M3GAN's underlying tech. M3GAN 2.0 is exclusively in theaters now and is not available on streaming to watch at home. Due to the robot vs. robot storyline, numerous comparisons are being drawn with classic films from the 1980s and 1990s, such as Terminator 2: Judgment Day. Johnstone happily confirms that it is in the mix, but some of the other inspirations might surprise people. "Terminator 2 is the most obvious one just because two robots are going at each other. When James Wan was thinking about another robot, he was thinking T2 in some ways, and then he handed me the keys," the Housebound director confirms. "I'm a child of the 80s and 90s, so those were the films that stuck with me, and I miss those movies. I miss the crazy, bombastic, bold, and subversive popcorn movies that are massively entertaining, but they have a layer that's very offbeat. They're operating on two tracks. On one lane, it's absolutely populist entertainment, but on another, it's asking people to think about some deep things, and that's what I'm trying to do with this." "Total Recall is in there, and I watched Short Circuit early on and examined the relationship between Johnny 5 and his human counterparts. That inspired the relationship between Cady and Megan this time around because Cady is the one who's trying to figure things out, and is M3gan real and conscious or just a bunch of zeros and ones? Robocop and Bram Stoker's Dracula were also influences, as were The City of Lost Children and Pan's Labyrinth. The creation of M3gan's lair owes a lot to those sorts of movies. They influenced everything about the film, including its visual appearance. We tried to make it look very organic, so we shot it using anamorphic lenses to make it feel like a film from those two decades." Director Gerard Johnstone on the set of 'M3GAN 2.0.' A common feature in the 80s and 90s action genre is the use of subtitles, such as Die Hard 2: Die Harder. It's even still used occasionally today for films such as Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning. So, did M3GAN 2.0 ever have a different title, or was that always going to be the title? "I didn't come up with the title. The title was announced before I was officially on board, so I had no part in that," Johnstone reveals. "The working title of my script was M3GAN 2: Beyond the Valley of the Dolls. That was what I was always working with, but I never pushed it." Almost as soon as the first trailer was released in 2022, M3gan became a pop culture phenomenon, and, similarly to other titans of terror such as The Babadook, she emerged as a gay icon. Whereas the original film landed in theaters in January, M3GAN 2.0 lands in June, coinciding with Pride Month and officially qualifying it as a summer blockbuster. "I don't know if that was intentional or not, but certainly coming out in the summer is a huge responsibility," the filmmaker muses. "I don't know if which came first, the release date or the direction that we went in for the sequel, but the first film just had such a crazy, huge reaction that I thought, 'Well, let's go big on the sequel.'" "You can never let fear be a driving factor in any of these things. You just have to do what inspires you and try to make a movie that you would want to see. First and foremost, you have to entertain yourself. That's what I enjoy doing. I like to block out the noise, let other people take care of it, and focus on telling a really fun story and having as much fun with the character as I possibly could." (Left to right) James Wan, Gerard Johnstone and Jason Blum attend as Universal Pictures and ... More Blumhouse present the 'M3GAN 2.0' premiere at AMC Lincoln Square 13 in New York City. 'M3GAN 2.0' Is The Start Of A New Beginning For The AI Icon When it comes to questions regarding the franchise's genre shift and departure from the horror roots of M3GAN, Johnstone remains confident in his decision. "Audiences have already decided she's a hero, so it felt like the path was like for us to do that. In the first film, she's more of a mystery. Even M3gan doesn't know what she is, so it felt natural and fitting," he says. "Once you take her out of the shadows and start talking about other robots, it made sense to me to go out of a world of toys, and if a technology like this exists, the only plausible thing you could do with it is bring her into the military. Suddenly, it was a much bigger canvas. It felt as though if we had stayed in horror, it would be oddly limiting. We've done all that. I don't understand why you need to repeat yourself. I understand that audiences want more of the same, but I honestly don't think they would like it. I don't think they'd be happy if you gave them the same thing. As a character, M3gan herself doesn't want to be put in a box." Although a spin-off is already on the way, this is probably where Johnstone and M3gan part ways. Even the M3GAN 2.0 end credit sequence plays out over a montage of highlights from both films, appearing to be a bookend of sorts. Is this the end that it feels like? "It is for me," the New Zealander confesses. "I have been on the M3GAN train since 2018 because that's when I first got the script, so it's been a long time for me. I felt like putting every idea I had and as much as I could into this movie." The M3GAN 2.0 director concludes, "In a way, it's me saying, 'I hope you enjoyed it. I'm pretty sure I'm going to take a break and hand this over to someone else.' She's such a fun character that there's more to do with her, and I'll always be there to support whoever you know might take up the reins."
Screen Geek
14 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Screen Geek
'M3GAN 2.0' Review: A New Skin Doesn't Quite Work This Time
The idea of using a doll as a homicidal horror antagonist in film had been done to death for some time. Chucky has pretty much cornered that market for decades, but Blumhouse Productions and creator Akela Cooper decided to come for the king. Cooper's creation, M3GAN , was a massive hit released in 2022 and warranted the return of an AI doll. M3GAN 2.0 promised to step from the horror element into more of an action thriller and succeeds in some parts. The movie goes hard in the 'silly' factor, yet the new direction almost makes it forgettable. New Zealand director Gerard Johnstone directs M3GAN 2.0 . Johnstone takes up writing duties for the sequel, and we see the return of Allison Williams as Gemma, alongside Violet McGraw as her niece, Cady. This time around, the two are forced to work with M3GAN, voiced by Jenna Davis and played by Amie Donald, to stop the more dangerous robot, AMELIA. AMELIA, played by Ivanna Sakhno, is on the hunt for something that will destroy the country, and it's up to our two humans and one robot to stop her. If the familiarity of the plot of M3GAN 2.0 rings of the Terminator 2: Judgement Day elements, you're not delusional. The script from Johnstone takes parts of the 1991 James Cameron film and gives them a more updated, ridiculous spin. The script works for about 50-60% of the time and adds more humor this time around. Gemma doesn't believe that this somewhat new M3GAN's intentions are good, while Cady falls on the trust side of the fence a little more easily. There are numerous instances where M3GAN has to prove herself repeatedly, which becomes tiresome by the middle of the second act. It detracts from what made the first film work, and that's the chemistry between Cady and M3GAN. It hurt the film at numerous points and didn't allow M3GAN 2.0 to showcase the emotional stakes that some of the plot points promise. Don't get me wrong; I enjoyed some of the parts where M3GAN and the gang were trying to be one step ahead of AMELIA, but it lacked a bit of soul. However, the comedy aspect of the movie wasn't lacking. Several comedic beats work well for M3GAN 2.0. Johnstone's writing allows Davis to take the Deadpool route with her level of snark and comebacks. That notion works well with Williams and McGraw playing their characters as the 'straight men.' It mixes well with some of the action and brings it home with a ridiculous singing number that starts awkwardly funny and turns into all-out hilarious. Unfortunately, some of the foundations that work for M3GAN 2.0 are outweighed by the poor directing choices from Johnstone. The filmmaker has worked on action projects, but this film is a step back from his previous work. There are times in the movie where the action set pieces featuring M3GAN and AMELIA really work. The scenes are well thought out and have an even peace. However, the further they go along, the more frequent the quick cuts become. I started getting lost in what was going on at a certain point, and it even left me a little disoriented. It's as if Johnstone was trying hard to hide the lack of impact or ugliness in the scenes, and it only makes things worse, and it doesn't stop there. M3GAN 2.0 runs at a clip. The pacing is RUSHED and gives the movie that 'forgettable' component. The film is nearly two hours long, which could have allowed the entire story some breathing room. I got the feeling that Johnstone desperately wanted that breathing room by the third act when the pacing takes a hard break and almost gives whiplash. This is the part where the villain of the movie reveals themselves and presents their ultimate plan, which often proves to be confusing, convoluted, and downright unintelligible. I wasn't expecting M3GAN 2.0 to be anything more than a dopey follow-up to a ridiculous horror film that could have failed but didn't. I applaud Johnstone for taking a new route with the characters, diving in hard with the concept, and making nods to other robot film classics, such as T2 and Metropolis (1927). Yet, the movie's script and direction feel rushed and, sadly, give it that 'strike while the iron is hot' quality desperately. I don't know where they can take this franchise further, but they might as well continue leaning harder and start genre hopping. That's probably the only way to keep interest in M3GAN going and potentially attract new audiences. Grade: C
Elle
15 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Elle
‘M3GAN 2.0' Is the Killer Sequel You've Been Waiting For—Here's How to Watch
Every item on this page was chosen by an ELLE editor. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy. She's back, and deadlier than ever. M3GAN 2.0, the highly anticipated sequel to 2022's viral horror hit, marks the return of the internet's favorite killer doll, complete with sharper instincts and a rival with a mission of her own. Directed once again by Gerard Johnstone, the sequel picks up two years after the original, with roboticist Gemma (Allison Williams) and her now-teenage niece Cady (Violet McGraw) navigating life after narrowly surviving M3GAN's first rampage. But a new government-backed AI weapon named AMELIA, played by Ivanna Sakhno, enters the picture—and it's not long before M3GAN is brought back to stop her. The film officially hits theaters today, bringing together returning cast members Amie Donald, Jenna Davis, Jen Van Epps, and Brian Jordan Alvarez, alongside newcomers Aristotle Athari, Timm Sharp, and Jemaine Clement. The sequel also takes a satirical tone, focusing on our increasingly AI-reliant world. 'We shot this film three years ago and already technology has evolved so much,' Johnstone told 1News. 'The best thing about the movie is that it's part of the conversation about what's happening now and the more that happens the more there is to talk about. That's what's most exciting about getting to do one of these movies again.' Among the new faces, AMELIA clearly stands out. Sakhno, who plays the military-grade android, told The AU Review she approached the character as more than a villain: 'Although she is very much an artificial intelligence, I think there are certain aspects of her that people can resonate with, and I can only hope that people are able to find a little bit of compassion towards her. But I also feel open to them being scared for her, equally.' For now, M3GAN 2.0 is available only in theaters. As a Universal Pictures title, it is expected to eventually stream on Peacock, the studio's in-house streaming platform, although a date has not been confirmed. The original M3GAN, however, is available on Peacock. Audiences can experience all the chaos, choreography, and campy thrills of M3GAN 2.0 the old-fashioned way—on the big screen. Get Tickets
Geek Vibes Nation
16 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Geek Vibes Nation
'M3GAN 2.0' Review - An Absurdly Good Time
Logline: The murderous doll who captivated pop culture in 2023 is back. And this time she's not alone. At times, as the world constantly evolves, the generational gaps may feel miles apart; however, one thing consistently remains true: we have to listen to the kids. Children tend to see things for what they are, have no filter, and are usually brutally honest. A five-year-old can flat-out hurt your feelings. Nevertheless, they also think outside the box, because for them, there is no box to confine themselves to. Every form of entertainment has shown us that the young ones always see the ghost, talk to the monster, hear the secrets, witness the crime, solve the mystery, and the adults never listen. At some point, we tend to forget we were also young with ideas and answers to the problems, and we were told we didn't understand or it's too complicated. We've also neglected to remember that most difficulties have somewhat simple solutions. If the kids have an idea or potential resolution, let them cook. 'You programmed me to protect someone, and I intend to do it.' As the saying goes, the internet is forever. That being said, Gemma should've known that getting rid of a highly adaptable, homicidal AI would be harder than destroying a physical body. Written and directed by Gerard Johnstone, M3GAN 2.0 is an absurdly good time. Everything you loved about M3GAN has been turned up to the max. This exciting sequel has more attitude, more dance moves, a larger body count, and double the androids. However, there are a few changes. Where its predecessor was heavy in its horror bag, the vibrant 2.0 shakes things up with a heaping side of sci-fi and action that you can liken to Terminator 2 . Nevertheless, its eerie elements remain intact as the pointed feature becomes increasingly more brutal and grim. Even as this T-800 versus T-1000 or Vision versus Ultron showdown unfolds, the story becomes akin to The First Omen . Despite the tension and terrors, M3gan's sharp jabs and quick wit have also been updated, offering a fun and comedic balance. She's like an unruly, angsty teen whose 'protect Cady at all costs' programming puts any and everyone in some sort of danger. Its campy personality is over-the-top in the most entertaining ways possible. M3GAN 2.0 is a film that knows exactly what it is and isn't shy about it. It's twice the danger and twice the fun. 'Maybe your allegiance to them has made you weak.' Doubling down on its previous messaging about the dangers of our reliance on technology, it goes even further by highlighting negligent, unregulated government use and expansion. Moreover, technology should be a tool and not a replacement. However, more than anything, this is a story of trust and second chances. It's about admitting when you're wrong and working to repair relationships, especially when it comes to parenting. Mirroring some of reality's most ridiculous people and ideas, M3GAN 2.0 is a great gateway into many topical conversations. The film is flashy and entertaining, humorous and thrilling, and while it is a slight departure, it is a worthwhile sequel. The soundtrack is groove-worthy, the action is surprisingly good, and M3gan's creepy factor elevates as the uncanny valley feeling is stronger than ever. The ensemble cast plays great off one another with a greater sense of chemistry. Johnstone's direction makes the multi-genre outing incredibly enjoyable. And while cinema is currently in its franchise-heavy era, this is one that I don't mind continuing. Is the follow-up better than the original? It's hard to say since they are so different, but I'm leaning towards yes. Fans may be divided, but one thing is for sure: this second installment definitely has more to offer. Its rewatchability is high. (from left) Cady (Violet McGraw) and Gemma (Allison Williams) in M3GAN 2.0, directed by Gerard Johnstone. © 2025 Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved. Photo Credit: Universal Pictures Pace & Pop As the film takes a hard turn into sci-fi action-adventure territory, the pace becomes more evenly balanced. While still holding onto its horror identity with some dark aesthetics, Frankenstein-esque moments, and varying levels of creepiness, it is firmly within the genre. What popped for me was how unhinged M3gan's banter was. She speaks her mind and pulls zero punches. It may be juvenile at times, but it's hilarious. (from left) M3gan and Amelia (Ivanna Sakhno) in M3GAN 2.0 directed by Gerard Johnstone. © 2025 Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved. Photo Credit: Universal Pictures Characters & Chemistry Starring: Allison Williams, Violet McGraw, Brian Jordan Alvarez, Jen Van Epps, Amie Donald, Jenna Davis, Ivanna Sakhno, Aristotle Athari, Timm Sharp, Jemaine Clement This ensemble cast doesn't necessarily have any standout performances, but they all work well together. Gemma ( Allison Williams) continues to say and do the wrong things when it comes to parenting her niece, Cady (Violet McGraw). As the genius aunt stretches herself too thin by wearing too many hats, her relationship with M3gan grows more complicated. McGraw has a stronger outing this go around as Cady has grown in age and intellect. Attempting to follow in her aunt's footsteps, Cady is tech-savvy, headstrong, and plays by her own rules. Of course, like the first film, they rarely see eye to eye. Brian Jordan Alvarez was given more breathing to bring the funny as Cole, and it works very well. Ivanna Sakhno killed it as the new android on the block, Amelia. She's deadly, seemingly unstoppable, and looks badass. Much of her performance is executed with her face, specifically her eyes, and you can't look away. Jemaine Clement is ridiculously cringey as Alton Appleton, and I loved every second of it. And lastly, bringing M3gan to life are the duo of Amie Donald and Jenna Davis (voice). The Model 3 generative android upped the ante in every way in this sequel. She's smarter, craftier, more violent, and has double the sass. I don't think we've seen the last of her. M3GAN 2.0 hacks its way into theaters on June 27, 2025. Stay safe and don't make A.I. mad. Rated: PG-13 Runtime: 1h 59m Director: Gerard Johnstone Screenplay: Gerard Johnstone Story: Gerard Johnstone and Akela Cooper Based on: characters created by Akela Cooper & James Wan Producers: James Wan, Jason Blum, Allison Williams Executive Producers: Gerard Johnstone, Adam Hendricks, Greg Gilreath, Michael Clear, Judson Scott, Mark D. Katch
