Displaying items by tag: Violet McGraw

M3GAN 2

US, 2025, 120 minutes, Colour.

Alison Williams, Violet McGraw, Jenna Davis, Amy Donald, Ivanna Sakhono, Brian Jordan Alvarez.

Directed by Gerard Johnstone.

The first Meagan film was billed as horror. But it was horror in the tradition of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, a focus on scientific experimentation, the producing of a creature who went on to wreak some havoc even while geared for being protective of the young. It was not horror and the popular sense of slasher and gore. It was more a film of menace.

And, now the sequel. Not accurately described either as horror (and disappointing the slasher fans and their expectations). This sequel is something of a Meagan Resurrected. And, it is more of science-fiction, science fantasy, concerns about the future. And there is a strong focus on a I, the humans developing get, the robots and androids getting lives of their own, especially in international in war situations, exploited by military and government. There is a final message that humans and a I should coexist and should develop together.

But, before that final message, the audience is introduced to a creation beyond Meagan herself, and adult creation, Emilia, a demonstration for military interests of her skills in infiltration, fighting capabilities – and then discovering she has an AI mind of her own.

The film then introduces the main characters from the first film, especially technical expert, Gemma, and the young Katie for whose company Megan was originally created. And, their associated scientific friends. Gemma is once again her intense self, righteous, single-minded, wanting to prevent active of Katie. But Katie seems to have developed a strong willpower herself.

So, a set up of conflict between Amelia and Meagan, much of it taking place at a huge exhibition for the promotion of AI. The problem is that many do not recognise Amelia as she mingles amongst the guests, especially tantalising a wealthy entrepreneur, played comically (as usual) by New Zealand’s Jermaine Clement. An overpowering him, Emilia then is well on the way to control over the United States and beyond.

There is also the technical millionaire entrepreneur, Christian (emphasis on the final syllable!). The climax is in a huge underground complex where the I power is protected, everyone involved, fights, timing, altering brains, Megan having power to live inside Gemma’s mind… And, lots of martial arts between the creations and the huge tough security.

As with the first film, it is more entertaining than might have been expected.

1. The popularity of the original film? The Frankenstein tradition, scientists in technology, creating creatures, the consequences for good and evil?
2. This sequel, more a science-fiction, science-fantasy drama with comic touches?
3. Issues of artificial intelligence, progress, artificial intelligence and speed, control, dominating humans? Threats and dangers? Conflicts? Possible disasters? The message of coexistence with AI and mutual development?
4. The new situation, the introduction of Amelia, the military observation, the confrontations, spying skills, military skills, visualisation, female, glamorous? Then her killing the scientist and going out of control?
5. The scientists, the dilemmas, military, political? Amelia on the loose? Having to find her? The leader, presented with comic touches? Is associates?
6. The return to the characters from the original film, Gemma, her skills, serious, self-righteous, protective of Cady, Cady older, able to look after herself, her reaction to Gemma? Cole and Tess, from the previous film, with Gemma, with Cady? The attack by Amelia?
7. Cady, a relationship with M3gan, care, attack, distraction from the previous film? Cady preserving M3gan, the reconstruction, the voice and personality, a more sympathetic M3gan? Gemma, the reaction, controlled, protective of Cady, a challenge from the military? M3gan reconstructed, protecting her skills, martial arts?
8. The exhibition, the presence of the entrepreneurial, self-confidence, power and wealth, control? His roving eye, seeing Amelia, her being seductive, the episode together, his advances, her controlling him, getting the information, control of the power grid, his showing her to, how to close it down? Her attack on him, his death?
9. Megan at the exhibition, the dancing, popularity, the crowd?
10. The change of atmosphere, the setting up of M3gan versus Amelia, the fights, the mayhem?
11. The role of Christian, his power, wealth, technological know-how? The information about the underground preserving of the central control? Palo Alto?
12. The setting up for the confrontation, the military representative and Amelia controlling him, wounded but surviving? Cole and his penetrating the corridors? Cady and her being captured? Gemma captured, the mind control? Christian and his ambitions, betrayal, speaking to the United Nations?
13. Amelia, his control of Amelia, her rebellion, solution? M3gan, destruction, but getting into Gemma’s mind, able to reboot herself?
14. The final confrontation, the timing, Amelia and her decisions, making and her being in Gemma’s mind, emerging, the final confrontation?
15. The message at the end, Gemma and her address, the role of artificial intelligence, coexistence, developing together?