1. At the end of 2022’s “M3GAN,” after the titular, life-sized, AI-powered humanoid robot has left a path of destruction and death, including her own, a computerized camera illuminates and offers a “wink” at the camera, thereby paving the way for “M3GAN 2.0” (Universal/Blumhouse).
2. Alison Williams (who proved her acting chops as Lucy, wife of Matt Bomer’s Hawk in “Fellow Travelers") returns as roboticist Gemma, alongside Violet McGraw as Gemma’s orphaned niece Cady, for whom Gemma designed and built M3GAN as a companion and protector.
3. “M3GAN 2.0” is director Gerard Johnstone’s third film after “Housebound” (2014) and “M3GAN (2022).”
4. Rounding out the main character quartet is out actor Brian Jordan Alvarez and Jen Van Epps, reprising their roles as Gemma’s tech colleagues Cole and Tess, respectively. Queer fans will recognize Alvarez from his portrayal of Estéfan Gloria, one of Jack’s boyfriends on “Will & Grace,” as well as gay teacher Evan in FX’s “English Teacher.”
5. Before it gets lost in the shuffle, it’s important to mention that “M3GAN 2.0” contains a powerful message about the abuse of AI and the necessity for regulation. That it comes from Gemma, someone whose work relies increasingly on AI, gives it even more gravitas.
6. Villains? You want villains? “M3GAN 2.0” has plenty to go around, beginning with the Elon Musk-esque Alton Appleton (Jermaine Clement of “Flight of the Concords” fame). Good news: he meets a bad end.
7. If you thought M3GAN was frightening when she went rogue, then you should prepare yourself for the first encounter with military-grade killing machine Amelia (Ivanna Sakhno). At first, she appears to be working effectively, taking out bad guys with speed and efficiency. But don’t be fooled, she’s on a mission, just not the one our government intended for her.
8. Evil love interest, you say? Anyone who didn’t see this one coming might want to consult an optometrist. Christian (Aristotle Athari), pronounced Christiaan, isn’t your average knight in shining armor, and his kinks include world domination, as well as dangling Cady over a railing and threatening to drop her to her death. Nice guy!
9. As was previously noted, M3GAN, as we knew her in the first installment, no longer exists, but that doesn’t mean she doesn’t endure in another realm. Once she reveals herself to Gemma and Cady, after she briefly imprisons them in a secret subterranean shelter (including a reproduction of Cady’s bedroom), M3GAN convinces her creator that she deserves a second chance because, after all, she’s the only one capable of stopping Amelia.
10. Did someone mention fight scenes? There’s no shortage in “M3GAN 2.0,” and the ones between M3GAN and Amelia are particularly exhilarating (if seemingly endless). That said, “M3GAN 2.0” isn’t the worst sequel ever made (the inclusion of Kate Bush’s “This Woman’s Work” might be the most surprising thing about it), and as expected, less than subtly promises a third installment at the conclusion.
Rating: C+
