Gerard Johnstone’s “M3GAN” hit the theaters on Jan. 6th. Rumored to have one of the highest Rotten Tomatoes score for new movies, reaching even 96% at its peak, anticipation was high for this movie.

The plot follows the invention of a new robot toy, called M3GAN, which is an acronym for “Model 3 Generative Android.” M3gan is a life-like doll invented by the engineer Gemma (Allison Williams), and she is programmed to be both a friend and caretaker to her assigned child. Gemma introduces M3GAN to her niece Cady (Violet McGraw), since her parents recently died in a car crash. M3GAN helps Cady get over the loss, but in the process begins to take on her own consciousness. Her protectiveness over Cady starts to have violent consequences.

A cheeky take on the classic genre of “AI takeover,” “M3GAN” is a fun, light watch for those who can handle some jumpscares and enjoy appropriate comic relief. In terms of its topic, both common and predictable, the plot doesn’t avert too far from the stereotype: an engineer makes a “state of the art” robot; the robot goes haywire; it wants to take over the world; humans fight back; humans win with the power of humanity, something that robots can never imitate. However, the movie’s predictable plot line isn’t necessarily boring. The movie has many moments that break the fear and seriousness through comic relief and irony. When M3gan goes on her killing spree, the gory imagery is interfered by unexpected singing, punch lines, and comically dramatic moments. The ultimate message of the movie — following its classic “human vs. robot” theme — seems to be a warning to people about the sudden incorporation of technology even in the most minute parts of our life, such as  children’s toys. 

Out of the classic five stars, we rate the movie as three out of five stars. The film was definitely above average, but it didn’t exceed expectations in terms of visual, production, or script. It seems to be a popular movie for millennials, possibly due to the elements of humor and also the appeal to its greater message about the dangers of technology. This light-hearted yet menacing movie reminds the audience how technology has incoporated itself into many, if not all, aspects of our lives. From a simple Google search to communication and entertainment, the advancements of technology should not be overly glorified. 

Ultimately, “M3GAN” has shown us how the human connection between a kid and its parents is something that cannot be replaced by code – at least for now.