"M3GAN 2.0" Is a Victim of Inflation

At least it shows its symptoms clearly: inflammation and swelling. In the first film, Gemma (Allison Williams), a robotics engineer, becomes the guardian to her orphaned niece, Cady (Violet McGraw), and tests a new invention, the titular A.I.-powered robot-doll, on her. Cady grows attached to the responsive doll, which is programmed to protect the child and takes to the mission with a mechanical perfection, slaughtering anyone who expresses hostility--and does so with snarky pride in her absolute power. At its core, though, "M3GAN" (like the sequel, directed by Gerard Johnstone) is a family melodrama centered on Gemma's struggles with parenting and Cady's need to bond--plus the robot's quick embrace of human cruelty. The film's failures are painful because its setup is fruitful.