MORGAN is a familiar, small-scale thriller set at the usual remote research facility that's so frequently the setting for films these days; such plots usually involve robots or sinister experiments invariably going wrong. MORGAN is a case in point. It's about a synthetic human and her interactions with the team of scientists looking after her. This film was made by Ridley Scott's son Luke, who doesn't seem to have inherited much of his dad's panache, although this turns out to be perfectly serviceable as it stands. There are some fun twists and moments of violence that don't hold back, and a particularly distinguished cast that includes Toby Jones, Michelle Yeoh and Jennifer Jason Leigh in various roles; Ridley must have called in a few favours to make this a star-studded production. Kate Mara is a fine lead, and the film, while never wowing, often hits the mark.

A group of scientists has created Morgan (Anya Taylor-Joy). She/It has certain abilities and attacks Dr. Kathy Grieff (Jennifer Jason Leigh). Lee Weathers (Kate Mara) is brought in to evaluate Morgan and the program. She's risk management from corporate. Lui Cheng (Michelle Yeoh) and Dr. Simon Ziegler (Toby Jones) are the senior scientists. Dr. Amy Menser (Rose Leslie) has an affinity for Morgan. Psychologist Dr. Alan Shapiro (Paul Giamatti) evaluates Morgan's emotional stability.

This tries to be an interesting sci-fi. Some may compare this to Ex Machina. It would not be a favorable comparison. It needs to rethink the protagonist and who should that be. Lee has certain attributes which makes her a difficult rooting interest. That ties into the twist/reveal. By the end, the reveal is not shocking as much as it's perfunctory. After a couple of fights with Morgan, one could guess at the reveal. Also, the scientists don't act right although I put that to Morgan's mental influence. This is a good sci-fi Twilight Zone idea but it needs more thoughtful developing.

Luke Scott is the son of Ridley Scott. Morgan is in some ways is a cut down version of Blade Runner with a twist that is similar to one of the many versions of the Director's Cut of Blade Runner, the one with Harrison Ford having a dream sequence.

Lee Weathers (Kate Mara) is a stern and confident risk management specialist for a genetic engineering company who have created an experimental human hybrid called Morgan (Anya Taylor-Joy). She is smarter than humans with an advanced growth rate. Morgan looks like a teenager although she is only 5 years old.

After a violent incident Morgan has lost her privileges such as going outside. Lee believes that the Morgan project is too dangerous as she might be too unpredictable. A psychologist (Paul Giamatti) pushes Morgan to the edge when he suggests that she should be terminated. Morgan escapes, she is volatile and lashes out. Lee follows her and is willing to take Morgan down however she can.

The film is derivative, slow and not really interesting. A film about artificial life forms only comes to life in the last quarter. If you want a debate about the 'measure of a man' watch one of those episodes of Star Trek:The Next Generation where they would debate the status of Data the android.