M3GAN 2.0: Bigger, Funnier, but Fails to Recapture the Charm

M3GAN 2.0 is one of those sequels that takes the premise of its predecessor and tries to up the ante with bigger action and a larger budget. At first, the idea works surprisingly well. For about the first hour, the film leans confidently into a slicker, more ambitious direction, promising a ride that feels fresh while still familiar. Unfortunately, it can’t sustain that momentum.

Let’s start with the positives. The action is a clear step up from the original. This time around, the movie tilts further into sci-fi and cyber-thriller territory rather than relying solely on horror. That shift works, especially with the introduction of a new AI character, AMELIA, who adds an intriguing dynamic to the story. M3GAN herself is sharper, funnier, and more unhinged than before. She delivers some of the best moments in the film, including a hysterical rendition of Maxwell’s “This Woman’s Work” that might be the funniest scene in either movie. On a technical level, the effects look excellent, and the action sequences are bigger and more polished, clearly benefiting from the larger budget.

But the cracks start to show quickly. The film tries to do too much and ends up overstaying its welcome. A tighter, more focused story could have delivered a stronger punch, but instead, a third of the movie feels unnecessary. The acting also drags it down. While some performances are passable, half the cast is simply not up to par. The villain, in particular, delivers one of the most forgettable, flat, and unintimidating monologues you’ll ever see. Instead of elevating the stakes, it undercuts them.

By the final act, M3GAN 2.0 takes itself far too seriously, forgetting the playful self-awareness that made the first film a surprise hit. Yes, it does retrace some of those moments, but without the same charm or balance, the attempt feels hollow. The genre shift into sci-fi has potential, but the film never fully justifies it.

In the end, M3GAN 2.0 is more enjoyable than its predecessor in bursts, thanks to better action and funnier M3GAN moments. Still, as a whole, it’s a below-average sequel that loses sight of what made the original a surprise hit.