Timing in the movie industry is everything. Releasing your film at the right time has just an equal reward as the right story, to do both is hitting the Goldilocks zone of just right. Released right when advancements in real life about A.I. are emerging and slowly encroaching into our lives. A.I is here and it isn’t going away.  Uniquely all the new tech shown and discussed doesn’t seem so far fetched in it. They all seem plausible. MEGAN 2.0 is the right title for the film. Even though it is a linear sequel and reminds of it- it is more of an upgrade. MEGAN might be regarded as a horror film, MEGAN 2.0 is more of a sci-fi action film. Although I found MEGAN to be relatively good, MEGAN 2.0 is far more entertaining and definitely an upgrade to the franchise, and funny.

Director Gerard Johnstone, who also directed MEGAN, recognized what most of the audience’s grievances were in the first film, and amplified the adjustments at full speed.  MEGAN 2.0 does not meander, it does not lie still, the break neck speed is refreshing and rewarding. It seems that they learned from the previous film just to ignore plot holes  and blast through the exposition. Sequels by nature are always about escalation, and expanding the scope; this one serves it buffet style. Heavy on the themes of tech addiction,  ethics of tech in society, and personal responsibility the film uniquely doesn’t seem to be bogged down by it, it just goes. It was right to insert an assassin A.I rival for Megan named Amelia. It was the right decision to have Jermaine Clement as a greedy tech gazillionaire. It was the right decision to continue to pay homage to the silent film masterpiece “METROPOLIS”,  one of the first films to have A.I. featured in its story.

MEGAN 2.0 isn’t going to be nominated for any accolades or awards, but it does work efficiently. The pace, and plot are solid. What really works is the cut and slash dialogue. It is more enticing than the action or stunts. It won’t be a surprise if there is a third film to come from it.  MEGAN 2.0 is fun, and (predictable) roller-coaster action film, enjoyable summer popcorn flick where the first was sluggish melodramatic horror film. Where Megan goes from here would be to have to take on Skynet’s Terminators or be a Blade Runner going after replicants. 7.5/10