M3GAN

Plot Summary: After Cady's parents die in a car crash, she does to live with her Aunt Gemma. Gemma works at a toy company that creates futuristic electronic toys. Gemma has an interest in robots and has created a few but calls the most advanced one, the Model 3 Generation Android or M3EGAN. Using advanced technology, Cady is paired with M3GAN, and they begin to spend time together. As they create a strong bond, M3GAN starts acting erratically. Her technology allows her to update and improve her interactions automatically. M3GAN's main objective is to protect Cady from harm, which she does at any cost, including homicide. 

Author Background: Gerard Johnstone is the director of the film. He was a script writer for Housebound and 14 episodes of The Jaqui Brown Diaries. He directed six episodes of The New Legends of Monkey (IMDb, n.d.).

Critical Evaluation: Deciphering what movies are for kids, teens, or adults is often difficult. When it comes to a horror or thriller most people would say they aren't made for kids. However, teens can enjoy them. A review by Richard Newby (2023) for The Hollywood Reporter points out that M3GAN has several areas that are perfect for teens. The main point is the emphasis on technology. Of course, stories and movies have been writing about machines since the Industrial Revolution, but Newby points out that this movie can be seen as geared towards those on social media. There is a dance sequence that, although a part of M3GAN's murder rampage, has become a trend on TikTok. M3GAN's constant connection to the internet speeds up how much she learns, but also contributes to her determination to protect Cady by killing off perceived threats. Of course, most teens aren't going to become murderers, but the controversy around screen time is real to them (Newby, 2023).

Personally, I'm not the biggest fan of science fiction type movies. If I'm going to watch a horror movie, I prefer gothic type horror. However, by focusing on the themes of loss, death, and unfettered technology, I did enjoy watching the M3GAN. I'm just not sure it'll be a frequent repeated watch.

Speed-Round Movie Talk or Short Movie Trailer: What happens when a robotic doll is tasked with protecting a young girl from harm and giving her a playmate? The robot overrides her unfinished programming and takes protection to a new and terrifying level.

Potential Challenge Issues and Defense Preparation: The movie plays to teens' use of technology. Even the marketing of the film involved setting up accounts on TikTok, Twitter and other platforms. Parents who are concerned about how technology use, especially the amount of time teens spend on social media have a reason to be concerned. However, screen time and excessive use of technology is also one of the themes of the movie. It warns against using technology too much (Newby, 2023).

Reason for Inclusion: I know how interesting teens find technology and movies. M3GAN combines both into an intriguing story that shows the effects of technology that is not properly vetted. That theme will be even more important as technology continues advancing. 

References

CrashCourse. (2019, January 24). How engineering robots works: Crash course engineering #33. [YouTube]. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uNfUAJBuZ0s. 

IMDb. (n.d.). Gerard Johnstone- biography. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2067421/?ref_=tt_ov_dr.

Movieclips. (2023, March 21). M3GAN (2022) - M3GAN dance scene. [YouTube]. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1c7XccFwJrQ.

Newby, R. (2023, January 7). M3GAN, with a PG-13 rating and TikTok dance, is for the new horror fans. The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved May 11, 2023. https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-features/m3gan-with-pg-13-rating-tiktok-dance-1235292735/amp/.

Universal Pictures. (2022, October 11). M3GAN- official trailer. [YouTube]. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BRb4U99OU80.