Mickey 17: Bong Joon-ho’s Goofy Sci-Fi Adventure Struggles to Shine

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Filmmaker Bong Joon-ho has long been acknowledged as one of the most gifted directors in contemporary cinema, and with good reason – his previous film, “Parasite,” won an unprecedented four Academy Awards. This success set a very high benchmark for his next project, and while “Mickey 17” may not quite match that level, it is undeniably a witty, amusing, and insightful satire that showcases Bong’s unique storytelling abilities.

Mickey 17

March 7, 2025 finds me in the theater, eagerly awaiting Bong Joon-ho’s latest cinematic masterpiece. As a film aficionado, I can hardly contain my excitement as I settle into my seat, surrounded by fellow movie enthusiasts, ready to embark on this journey. The star-studded cast includes Robert Pattinson, Naomi Ackie, Steven Yeun, Toni Collette, and Mark Ruffalo – an ensemble that promises nothing short of brilliance.

The film is rated R, a testament to its unflinching portrayal of violence, language, sexual content, and drug material. With a runtime of 137 minutes, I’m bracing myself for a rollercoaster ride of emotions and thoughts. Bong Joon-ho has once again proven his mastery of storytelling, and I can hardly wait to immerse myself in this world he has created.

In a somewhat unpolished manner, certain larger, comical scenes fail to hit their mark effectively, which can negatively affect the narrative flow. However, the film manages to shine through with an amusing ambiance, powerful themes, and a dedicated ensemble cast – with Robert Pattinson delivering a remarkable dual performance as the leading star.

In the upcoming movie titled Mickey7, based on Edward Ashton’s novel, the protagonist, named Mickey Barnes (portrayed by Pattinson), finds himself in a precarious situation. His venture into starting a macaron bakery with his questionable friend Timo (Steven Yeun) lands him in debt to some potentially lethal individuals. Desperate to survive, Mickey sees no other alternative than to leave Earth. He learns about a mission led by disgraced politician Kenneth Marshall (Mark Ruffalo) and his wife Ylfa (Toni Collette), aiming to colonize the distant, icy planet Niflheim. In an attempt to escape his debts, Mickey agrees to join this mission, but he’s unaware of the true nature of his role in the expedition.

It’s revealed that being disposable means his consciousness is transferred into a computer, making him a subject for risky scientific experiments. He’s exposed to space radiation, contracted diseases, sent on perilous missions, and more, and when he dies, his physical form is discarded, only to be replaced by a new replica of Mickey. The only comfort in his grim life comes from his talented and fierce girlfriend Nasha (Naomi Ackie). However, things take a turn for the worse when the seventeenth Mickey miraculously makes it through one of his harrowing experiences and returns to his quarters to discover that an eighteenth Mickey had been printed during his absence, leading him to believe he’s deceased.

Mickey 17 has some standout structural problems that make it hard to get into initially.

In simpler terms, one major issue I found with the movie “Mickey 17” is its use of a complex storytelling structure that slows down its pacing. The film starts with Mickey, the main character, facing death in a tunnel on Niflheim’s surface, surrounded by giant, hairy creatures called Creepers. However, instead of following the events chronologically, the story jumps back to the beginning through a voice-over rewind. This initial part feels more like an information dump than a natural progression of the plot, leaving viewers waiting for the movie to align with itself. While it’s never dull – as it’s consistently humorous, introduces a bizarre future with advanced technologies, and clearly sets the stage – it fails to captivate fully due to an imbalance between explaining (telling) and demonstrating (showing).

After Mickey manages to escape from the Creepers and returns to the human settlement, we find that he has caught up with his duplicate, Mickey 18, who has been created. This leads to another flashback explaining the grave consequences of such duplicates, as both or all are put to death for their existence. While these scenes provide an intriguing glimpse into future crime investigations, they slow down the movie’s overall pace significantly.

Once the story really gets going, Mickey 17 is a delight.

In my humble opinion, stepping into the cinema to watch “Mickey 17” is like tackling a steep hill, but once it gains momentum, it’s a truly enjoyable ride. The contrast between Mickey 17’s timid, introverted nature and Mickey 18’s fiery, aggressive persona adds a tantalizing twist to their struggle to conceal their identical identities. However, this struggle leads them into a situation reminiscent of Bong Joon-ho’s “Starship Troopers.”

Kenneth Marshall’s tyrannical ideology, fanaticism, and media fixation paint the Creepers as vile subordinates unworthy of coexistence with humans if Niflheim is to be successfully colonized. Yet, the Mickeys and Nasha come to realize a crucial truth about the alien species, and they rally to make this truth resonate in a world that seems determined to silence them.

The satire in this film isn’t exactly delicate – after all, it’s from the same creator who gave us the masterpiece “Snowpiercer”. Mark Ruffalo might be a bit overzealous with his performance, but Toni Collette delivers spot-on (particularly when she extols the virtues of sauce as the epitome of civilization). They both set the tone for the film’s intentional chilly and peculiar exploration of class struggle, colonization, and contemporary fascism against our working-class heroes. It’s a mix of dark, humorous, and thought-provoking, with a message to share.

Bong Joon-ho has created another weird and beautiful sci-fi world.

The movie initially stumbles in presenting its fictional universe, but it excels in crafting that world. Stunning production and costume designs contrast the lives of the wealthy elite against the struggling inhabitants of Niflheim colony. The technological aspects are both wondrous and peculiar – from the smooth printer that churns out new Mickeys (the minor glitches during production make for a humorous touch) to the storage devices housing an expendable consciousness (a literal brick). Both performances are exceptional, with special recognition going to Robert Pattinson for his dual roles as Mickey 17 and Mickey 18. The design of the Creepers strikes a perfect balance between frightening and endearing.

Due to certain structural problems, “Mickey 17” might be challenging for some viewers to connect with initially. However, this film possesses a unique charm that could make it a classic over time, thanks to the distinct directorial flair of Bong Joon-ho, its biting satire, and its relevance to contemporary issues. While it may not reach the same level of greatness as “Parasite”, it’s undeniably exceptional in its own right.

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2025-02-16 00:09