Luke Scott, son of Ridley Scott, brings together the world of sci-fi and horror in the form of MORGAN. When a band of scientists bring to life an organic creation, their bond with it becomes that of family but when she (Anya Taylor-Joy) turns violent, the introduction of Corporation Risk Consultant Lee Weathers (Kate Mara) to decide whether she should be terminated is added to the equation, her true nature sets in.

 

MORGAN manages to balance an all-star cast with a solid sci-fi ethics story but the biggest downfall is that it’s all been done before and better. The likes of EX_MACHINA and AUTOMATA have asked the ethical question as to whether artificial life is as expendable as its creators believe at conception and MORGAN plays to that same question. Unfortunately, then that there is very little added to deepen the question in what is essentially an action-packed adventure blockbuster that satisfies the genre tropes of Hollywood’s addiction for creating weapons and Militia warfare over any matter of evolution.

 

Amongst the action set pieces, there are some lighter moments where we get to see the cast do what they do best and bring emotion into the fray. Anya Taylor-Joy plays cold enigma to Rose Leslie’s caring behaviour specialist and Michelle Yeoh continues to make her return to mainstream cinema post her big stint in the 90’s. Not to mention smaller roles for Paul Giamatti, Toby Jones and Brian Cox and MORGAN can’t be denied its efforts but this ensemble can’t quite tower this above a swamped market.

 

More THE LAZARUS EFFECT than THE MACHINE, there’s no denying there is fun to be had. MORGAN is entertaining to say the least, but where it could have been a worthy game-changer for the mythology of playing God, it stumbles for a one-dimensional blast for survival where whoever wins, who cares?