Movie fans are you ready for the latest from Bong Joon Ho the genius director behind the Oscar-slaying Parasite? His new movie Mickey 17 is finally hitting theaters after some delays and it is definitely a trip. Starring Robert Pattinson this sci-fi dark comedy is sparking all kinds of reactions. Is it another masterpiece or something a bit more uneven? Let's dive in.
Clone Chaos and Dark Laughs: What Exactly Is 'Mickey 17' About? Expect the Unexpected From Bong Joon Ho
Mickey 17 based on the novel Mickey7 throws us into the year 2054 on a super cold planet named Niflheim. Robert Pattinson plays Mickey Barnes who has a pretty unique job description. He is an "Expendable". What does that mean? Well Mickey is designed to die. Seriously.
In this future world they have human printing technology. If you are an Expendable and you die they just print you out a new body with all your memories intact. Mickey is sent on dangerous missions the kind where you might breathe toxic air test alien vaccines or just generally get blown up. It is all in the name of progress or more accurately profit for the colony's leader Kenneth Marshall played by Mark Ruffalo.
Things get really weird when Mickey 17 gets stuck in an ice cave and is presumed dead. The colony just prints out Mickey 18 to replace him. But surprise! Mickey 17 is not actually dead and now there are two Mickeys running around which is a big no-no. Cue the clone chaos and some seriously dark humor.
Robert Pattinson Times Two: Mild Mickey vs Habanero Mickey and Pattinson's Gonzo Performance
Having two Mickeys running around gives Robert Pattinson a chance to go wild with his acting. Mickey 17 and Mickey 18 might be genetically identical but they have very different personalities. Mickey 17 is described as a people-pleasing worrier while Mickey 18 is more of a rebellious alpha type. His girlfriend Nasha played by Naomi Ackie even nicknames them "Mild Mickey" and "Habanero Mickey".
critics are praising Pattinson's performance calling it "gonzo" and "gleefully deranged". He really seems to be enjoying playing these two contrasting versions of the same character. It is another example of Pattinson's interesting career choices since his Twilight days. He is not afraid to get weird and take risks and Mickey 17 definitely gives him that opportunity.
Dystopian Dystopia: Themes of Capitalism Class and Disposable Humans in Bong Joon Ho's World
Like Bong Joon Ho's other films Mickey 17 is not just about crazy sci-fi action. It has got some serious themes running through it. Think about class inequality humanity's impact on the planet and the dangers of unchecked power. The movie is a satire of 21st-century capitalism where planets are resources to be exploited and human lives especially Expendables like Mickey are treated as disposable.
The colony on Niflheim is run by the tyrannical Kenneth Marshall who lives in luxury while everyone else eats gray goo and works in brutal conditions. It is a stark picture of economic disparity and a critique of how society can devalue certain lives for profit. Despite the dark themes though Bong Joon Ho's movies always have a core of humanism. Even in this bleak world Mickey 17 ultimately asks us to consider the value of every life even one that can be reprinted.
Critics Divided: Is 'Mickey 17' a Masterpiece or a Mess? Review Roundup and Early Buzz
So what are critics saying about Mickey 17? The reviews are definitely mixed . Some are calling it another Bong Joon Ho masterpiece praising Pattinson's performance and the film's dark humor. Others are less enthusiastic finding it uneven narratively scattered or even a disappointment compared to Parasite.
Some critics feel the satire is too heavy-handed and that the story gets a bit too complicated especially with the two Mickeys plotline. There are mentions of loose ends truncated storylines and a feeling that the movie might have been cut down from a longer version. Mark Ruffalo's performance as the villain Marshall is also getting varied reactions some find it amusingly over-the-top while others find it grating.
However even the less positive reviews acknowledge Pattinson's captivating performance and Bong Joon Ho's signature visual style. The movie is definitely generating strong reactions and sparking debate which is often a hallmark of Bong's films. It seems like Mickey 17 is not going to be another Parasite in terms of universal acclaim but it is still a unique and thought-provoking sci-fi experience.
Key Things to Know About 'Mickey 17':
- Directed by Bong Joon Ho (Parasite Snowpiercer Okja)
- Stars Robert Pattinson in dual roles as Mickey 17 and Mickey 18
- Sci-fi dark comedy based on the novel Mickey7
- Set on a frozen planet Niflheim in 2054
- Themes of capitalism class inequality and disposable labor
- Features a clone-like character who can be "reprinted" after death
- Also stars Steven Yeun Naomi Ackie Toni Collette and Mark Ruffalo
- Rated R for violence language sexual content and drug material