This Isn’t Your Normal Toy
Read Time:2 Minute, 49 Second
MOVIE REVIEW
M3GAN
(with hopes of an unrated version coming) – 
Genre: Horror, Sci-Fi, Thriller
Year Released: 2023
Runtime: 1h 42m
Director(s): Gerard Johnstone
Writer(s): Akela Cooper (screenplay by,) James Wan (story by)
Cast: Allison Williams, Violet McGraw, Ronny Chieng, Amie Donald, Jenna Davis, Brian Jordan Alvarez, Jen Van Epps, Stephane Garneau-Monten, Lori Dungey, Amy Usherwood
Where To Watch: In theaters now
RAVING REVIEW: With all of the potential in the world, we were left with an enjoyable but neutered version of what I’m sure will become a new franchise. I wasn’t nearly as kind to the studio as those involved with the project have been.
While speaking with the Los Angeles Times (via Deadline), screenwriter Akela Cooper said, “No shade to Universal, love them, and I understand that once the trailer went viral, teenagers got involved, and you want them to be able to see it. There should be an unrated version at some point…”
On the one hand, I get it; I do; we’re between a rock and a hard place here. If the film had been released as R-rated, then mathematically speaking, it would have had a smaller return financially, which could’ve halted further developments on a sequel. However, if a potential sequel (that hasn’t been confirmed at the time of this writing) gets released and is PG-13 again, I won’t see it in theaters and will wait for a potential R-rated version.
I know that’s a lot of babbling about ratings, but I genuinely felt that the film was held back from a four or possibly even four-and-a-half-star rating because of the lack of violence. I hate being that guy, but a movie with a killer “doll” needs to be able to go all out. So that brings me to my next point (I guess this is more my thoughts on the things surrounding the film than a typical review); many comparisons have been made to the 2019 CHILD’S PLAY reboot. In short, I get it, but at the same time, there were enough differences that made this feel unique to the point where I didn’t think about that until I saw others talking about it.
So some quick thoughts on the film itself; first and foremost, I enjoyed it. The idea behind it was fun, and the film’s narrative was interesting enough to make you invested the whole way through. While it was somewhat predictable, it still had moments that got me, and I also have to say that the film's creative use of CGI was brilliant. I am excited to see what the future holds for M3GAN; I would like to see her move to a new cast in each film. I think the sky could be the limit if done correctly.
For more reviews and my YouTube channel, please visit linktr.ee/Overlyhonestmoviereviews
Follow me on Letterboxd, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube. Find my social media accounts on most platforms simply by searching Overly Honest Movie Reviews.
I’m always happy to hear from my readers; please say hi or send me any questions about movies.
[photo courtesy of UNIVERSAL/BLUMHOUSE]
Happy
0 %
Sad
0 %
Excited
0 %
Sleepy
0 %
Angry
0 %
Surprise
0 %
1
0
I liked this movie better than I thought it at least the concept. The first act was better than the rest and unfortunately I felt like they fell into the same old problems that current horror films do. They were focused on potential sequel instead of substance. If it wasn’t for the dance clip, I wonder how many would have watched?
Megan was pretty awesome as a doll/robot and her ideas of being a good “friend” were solid. The way she took them to literal heart was crazy. I think for the next they need to keep some of it out of the previews. Unrated would be fine but honestly, I wasn’t bothered by the rating.
I know I personally watched it in spite of the dance scene but I totally get what you’re saying!
I loved it and agree, this definitely felt like the beginning of a new franchise!
While i thought the concept of Megan was good something about it felt very familiar, the story was decent but in the end it just falls to the same tropes as other movies with “killer robots” it also doesn’t help most of what they’re using to promote the movie are the only decent parts of the film
M3GAN was freaking awesome. It’s got everything that the child’s play remake should’ve had.  It shows how vulnerable children can be both physically and mentally.
I wasn’t a fan of it at all I was very disappointed in this movie
Still haven’t seen this yet but I’m definitely excited to check it out , this film looks like DeadlyFriend mixed with child’s play and I’m here for it 🙌🏼
Here from Tiktok. I did enjoy Megan more than I thought I would. It wasnt perfect but better than I expexted. I went into the movie with low hopes as I thought it was going to be just another evil doll movie. IT did have your normal cliches but was also different enough. The humour and connection to a younger audience was hit and miss for me and I really do believe it was rated R I might of enjoyed it more. I have read that there is an unrated directors cut coming to blu ray so I am looking forward to that and seeing if that actully does add anything more to the movie or not
I loved M3gan! Felt like a horror comedy but not overtly. Loved the campy elements and the kills were well planned out.
I hadn’t thought of it like that before! That’s an interesting take!
I didn’t watch it yet. And I wasn’t aware of its rating. Which its a deal breaker. But if they will release an R version I may want to watch to really get the full effect. I think that makes it hard though. With so many people excited about the movie and then there possibly being two different rating releases do you watch the pg-13 since you have been so excited or do you wait for the R to hopefully come out. I almost feel like.. It would have been nice to stick with their original plan and vision…