M3gan (2023)

[Jennifer Lawrence Fan]

Originally Posted by Interdimensional

If they want movies right now as soon as they come out, they can have them. Those are what used to be called 'TV movies'. Nothing wrong with them. But kill theatrical, and that's all that'll be left.

Plus if people expect to see huge budget films at $200 or so.. kiss that goodbye. Goodbye action films and hello drama films. if you like 2 people talking in a room for 90 mins. That's all you will get. Or found footage horror movies. Netflix is silly for dumping $200 million on movies for their platform. Why WB did one smart thing and realized spending hundreds of millions of dollars for movie to be made solely for HBO Max. So props to Zaslav for that at least.

[ghostsofjoy]

Originally Posted by An4h0ny

[Show spoiler]It's not even close to a Chucky rip-off. It's more in the lane of the Terminator franchise or Ex Machina. Chucky was possessed. Which is AWESOME. Nothing better than a serial-killer possessed doll on the loose! Sign me up. But M3GAN is not that by a long shot. This film is actually asking some big questions that are interesting to me. And yet I laughed out loud several times. The humor was on point. Ronny Chieng and Lori Dungey were both really funny in this. I also enjoyed "F*ck off, Holly!"

Lastly, I might be old and out of touch but the effects in this film felt revolutionary to me. I'm sure someone will set me straight but I still have to give this effects team props. M3GAN felt different from any other malevolent force I've seen on screen before. Closer to Hal 9000 than Chucky.

The Chucky comparisons come from the Child’s Play remake and not the original series, as they both feature an AI robot designed for children that goes on a murderous rampage…

But I still feel this film stands on its own two (robot) feet. It certainly doesn’t reinvent the wheel in any way but it’s a fun ride. I do hope they release the original cut, though; I’d love to see M3GAN take out more people in her bloody rampage.

[An4h0ny]

Originally Posted by ghostsofjoy

The Chucky comparisons come from the Child’s Play remake and not the original series, as they both feature an AI robot designed for children that goes on a murderous rampage…

But I still feel this film stands on its own two (robot) feet. It certainly doesn’t reinvent the wheel in any way but it’s a fun ride. I do hope they release the original cut, though; I’d love to see M3GAN take out more people in her bloody rampage.

Thank you for the clarification!

Didn't get that. Great point!

[Interdimensional]

Originally Posted by Jennifer Lawrence Fan

Netflix is silly for dumping $200 million on movies for their platform.

Loss-leaders aimed at winning the streaming wars. When the growth at any cost phase is over, things will settle down into a stalemate status quo. All the beancounters will be brought in, and among the first to go will be massive budget prestige projects. They'll double down on what's cheap and popular, and then run those into the ground.

[crutzulee]

Absolutely ridiculous arguments and assumptions being made here...

As I said earlier, the industry has found a way to make everyone happy. Those of you wanting to see this in a commercial theater can do so completely unhindered by those us willing to wait for a home presentation- which we also pay a premium for by the way. You are rewarded with what you perceive to be a superior presentation and you get exclusive first look at the title....but that doesn't make you happy....Making arbitrary assumptions about people being spoiled and entitled aside, you guys can only be happy if you gatekeep and make people wait some punitively long length of time as prescribed by you.

Sure, you guys couch your argument in more wrong headed assumptions about who will choose to turn up at a theater weeks after opening day as though no one can wait 4 months or more to see a movie...but it's really just pettiness..

Movies have been playing to empty theaters in their third week of release long before COVID. The COVID experience has just made the industry aware that there are other lucrative revenue streams to exploit once the cinema audience for a title starts to drop off.

My solution: Charge $50 a ticket for the first 2 weeks with no access for loyalty programs. Half it for the next 2 weeks and maybe allow loyalty users in on the 3rd or 4th week.. half the price again for weeks 5 and 6 and release to stream at home. Reduce the overall number of screens as the market dictates. Everyone gets to see the movie in the manner that they want as their budget allows..no empty seats..

I'd still watch most movies at home, but the industry would get me back for more first run presentations as I'd be assured of a better experience. I'll bet no one is bringing a screaming child that doesn't appreciate the experience at $50 a pop or spending that kind of money to take calls or talk through the presentation. There'd be no reason for someone to come on to this thread and whine about such an experience either...

[TheZatch]

M3gan

[Jennifer Lawrence Fan]

Originally Posted by TheZatch

M3gan

Dance off!

[djgeneral]

Not sure if this was mentioned yet, but yet another reason it is best to wait for digital. Super glad I made that choice!

James Wan and Jason Blum have already hinted that more “M3GAN” sequels are in the works, but the wait to see more of the dancing, murderous AI doll might be even shorter than fans expect. In a new interview with the Los Angeles Times, screenwriter Akela Cooper (who wrote the film with her “Malignant” collaborator James Wan), teased that an unrated cut of the film with an even higher body count could be coming soon.

“There should be an unrated version at some point,” Cooper said. “I heard it is on the books. But yes, it was way gorier. Her body count in the script was higher than in the movie. It wasn’t a Gabriel [in ‘Malignant’]-scale massacre, but she did kill a bunch more people, including a couple of characters whom James was like, ‘I like what you did with those people, but I want them to live.’ I was merciless, but again, that is me. My humor is extremely dark.”

https://www.indiewire.com/2023/01/m3...er-1234797285/

[BluBonnet]

Looking forward to the unrated version

[girlfightmovie]

I wouldn't hold my breath for an unrated cut. I'm still waiing for that unrated cut of 31 Rob Zombie promised years ago.

Also, the creepy dance scenes are creepier when you realize M3gan was actually played by a 10 year old girl.

[sanriel]

The box office and the reviews are the answer tha PG-13 was the right call. And I really want to see a sequel.

[Hedrox]

Originally Posted by djgeneral

Not sure if this was mentioned yet, but yet another reason it is best to wait for digital. Super glad I made that choice!

James Wan and Jason Blum have already hinted that more “M3GAN” sequels are in the works, but the wait to see more of the dancing, murderous AI doll might be even shorter than fans expect. In a new interview with the Los Angeles Times, screenwriter Akela Cooper (who wrote the film with her “Malignant” collaborator James Wan), teased that an unrated cut of the film with an even higher body count could be coming soon.

“There should be an unrated version at some point,” Cooper said. “I heard it is on the books. But yes, it was way gorier. Her body count in the script was higher than in the movie. It wasn’t a Gabriel [in ‘Malignant’]-scale massacre, but she did kill a bunch more people, including a couple of characters whom James was like, ‘I like what you did with those people, but I want them to live.’ I was merciless, but again, that is me. My humor is extremely dark.”

https://www.indiewire.com/2023/01/m3...er-1234797285/

Unless the unrated version is already finished, it probably won't happen and the wording strongly suggests there's currently no completed unrated cut.

With this coming out digitally in 2 weeks and the disc likely pressed and ready to go, chances are it'll be theatrical cut only.

[RevolverOcelScott]

Originally Posted by crutzulee

Movies have been playing to empty theaters in their third week of release long before COVID. The COVID experience has just made the industry aware that there are other lucrative revenue streams to exploit once the cinema audience for a title starts to drop off.

Tell that to Disney, who lost nearly 2 billion in their streaming ventures so far. "We'll totally start turning a profit in 2023/2024" And that's not an insult to Disney, but ALL companies. Making incredibly expensive productions with a limited market will not guarentee an to increase your revenue stream, it can hinder the experience and the product delivered. If people know 3 weeks after release it'll be on streaming, lots will wait for streaming, or pirate it easily. If people know these things, the "audience attendance drop off" comes right at the start. If anything, a smart move would be to include the titles at a cost in Streaming. "You've got Paramount+, pay a low fee of 5 bucks, and stream *insert title here* 2 weeks after launch" That would result in people either goning to see it in theaters, or "renting" it, which will boost revenue gained from a specific title.

People ARE still going to the movies as we've seen, COVID hit theaters hard, and they created a problem with streaming that they don't know how to fix yet. It's something theater chains/movie companies need to work on IF they want a revenue stream from theaters at all.

Originally Posted by crutzulee

My solution: Charge $50 a ticket for the first 2 weeks with no access for loyalty programs. Half it for the next 2 weeks and maybe allow loyalty users in on the 3rd or 4th week.. half the price again for weeks 5 and 6 and release to stream at home. Reduce the overall number of screens as the market dictates. Everyone gets to see the movie in the manner that they want as their budget allows..no empty seats..

So essentially you want theaters to close up shop? I truly hope you were kidding, because no one on the planet is going to see a movie for 50 bucks a pop in a "recession". Maybe dropping the price a buck or two the 2 weeks after could drum up sales (most theaters do discount days) but your plan would never work.

Originally Posted by crutzulee

I'll bet no one is bringing a screaming child that doesn't appreciate the experience at $50 a pop or spending that kind of money to take calls or talk through the presentation. There'd be no reason for someone to come on to this thread and whine about such an experience either...

No one would be brining anyone at 50 bucks a pop, everyone would wait your arbitrary cascading price plan to kick in, essentially killing the theater industry.

If I weren't a Regal Unlimited Member, I would absolutely pay additional fees for a better experience. Tickets near me are about 18 bucks for a standard non-matinee. I would pay 22ish for more comfortable seats (recliners, vs airplane seats) and a more strict survielance for disruptions.

[crutzulee]

Originally Posted by RevolverOcelScott

Tell that to Disney, who lost nearly 2 billion in their streaming ventures so far. "We'll totally start turning a profit in 2023/2024" And that's not an insult to Disney, but ALL companies. Making incredibly expensive productions with a limited market will not guarentee an to increase your revenue stream, it can hinder the experience and the product delivered. If people know 3 weeks after release it'll be on streaming, lots will wait for streaming, or pirate it easily. If people know these things, the "audience attendance drop off" comes right at the start. If anything, a smart move would be to include the titles at a cost in Streaming. "You've got Paramount+, pay a low fee of 5 bucks, and stream *insert title here* 2 weeks after launch" That would result in people either goning to see it in theaters, or "renting" it, which will boost revenue gained from a specific title.

People ARE still going to the movies as we've seen, COVID hit theaters hard, and they created a problem with streaming that they don't know how to fix yet. It's something theater chains/movie companies need to work on IF they want a revenue stream from theaters at all.



So essentially you want theaters to close up shop? I truly hope you were kidding, because no one on the planet is going to see a movie for 50 bucks a pop in a "recession". Maybe dropping the price a buck or two the 2 weeks after could drum up sales (most theaters do discount days) but your plan would never work.



No one would be brining anyone at 50 bucks a pop, everyone would wait your arbitrary cascading price plan to kick in, essentially killing the theater industry.

If I weren't a Regal Unlimited Member, I would absolutely pay additional fees for a better experience. Tickets near me are about 18 bucks for a standard non-matinee. I would pay 22ish for more comfortable seats (recliners, vs airplane seats) and a more strict survielance for disruptions.

Thanks so much for your reasoned response without name calling, resorting to childish gif gimmicks, or ridiculous arguments like comparing today's box office climate with 40 years ago...

I may have the dollar values wrong - the market will get that right as it will entirely weed out the number of streamers until a profit is made- but I'm as serious as a heart attack about closing the number of theaters in order to ensure their survival...it is high school level economics...

[Michael11]

Question: Does this film have some legitimate criticism of AI or is it just maniac robot goes mad?

[RevolverOcelScott]

Originally Posted by Michael11

Question: Does this film have some legitimate criticism of AI or is it just maniac robot goes mad?

Yes, and no. Not REALLY a spoiler below, but I also don't want to spoil anything for folks. My "spoiler" is more an overarching theme in the movie, not really a plot point.

[Show spoiler]I actually appreciated the criticism of letting "devices" raise our children. It's actually a huge concern my wife and I have and I thought this was a fun, heavy handed at times jab at our reliance on electronic devices. Is there any room for love or bonding, if "someone else" is raising your child.

[HarrisonJohn]

Thought this was average at best. Felt like the movie spent so much time killing time. Couldn't it just as well have been a single mom and daughter? Couldn't Megan have been ready to go from the start? Maybe they were trying hard to not be a beat-by-beat remake of other killer doll movies or something.

[BluBonnet]

Originally Posted by HarrisonJohn

Thought this was average at best. Felt like the movie spent so much time killing time. Couldn't it just as well have been a single mom and daughter? Couldn't Megan have been ready to go from the start? Maybe they were trying hard to not be a beat-by-beat remake of other killer doll movies or something.

It turns out the movie may actually have some not-so-subtle message about the role of parenting in the age of digital devices. And audiences have responded enthusiastically! So glad the movie takes the time to offer some commentary on what is like to be a parent or guardian in the present day.

[An4h0ny]

Variety: How ‘M3GAN’ Shattered Expectations to Become the Box Office It-Girl.
https://variety.com/2023/film/news/m...is-1235481729/

Universal and Blumhouse’s creepy doll thriller “M3GAN” crushed expectations with its killer $30 million opening weekend, heating up a traditionally frigid time at the box office while affirming moviegoers’ obsession with horror films.

Since January tends to be quiet at the movies, “M3GAN” also became the first release in over a decade — since 2012’s “The Devil Inside” kicked off to $33.7 million — to open above $30 million in the first week of the new year. It’s also the largest debut for an original film since Jordan Peele’s “Nope,” another Universal title, debuted to $44 million last July.

[tcripe]

Saw this over the weekend and it was decent. I don't think it's really deserving of that crazy high RT score though.