MICKEY 17
FILM REVIEW
The acclaimed South Korean director and screenwriter presents the film adaptation of Mickey7, the novel by Edward Ashton.
Bong Joon-ho has done it again. The acclaimed South Korean director and screenwriter, responsible for creating masterpieces such as Memories of Murder (2003) and his most recent Parasite (2019), now presents Mickey 17, the film adaptation of the novel Mickey7 (2022) by Edward Ashton.
Bong Joon-ho's films have a distinctive signature: his bold directing style and the way he challenges the genres he tackles to tell stories from a meticulous, visually-driven perspective are evident in all his works; and Mickey 17 is no exception.
The new film by the South Korean director is an adaptation of the science fiction book Mickey7 by Edward Ashton, which follows the life of Mickey Barnes, a man whose job is to die and be regenerated in a new body while he and a group of people colonize the icy world of Niflheim. The plot thickens when Mickey 17 unexpectedly survives one of his expeditions, and they clone his next version: Mickey 18. The problem? It is strictly forbidden to have two clones.
And Mickey 17 is many things at once: it is a futuristic and dystopian film, while also serving as a satire of current authoritarianism and classism. Robert Pattinson shines and stands out as an actor, not only portraying Mickey Barnes but also the rest of his clones, each with their different personalities, facial expressions, and even ways of speaking. It is a film that must be watched in its original version to truly appreciate the actor's hard work.
The dark humor, ridiculousness, and, at times, absurdity shown throughout Mickey 17 make the entire story, which already starts with an intriguing premise, more enjoyable to watch. The film features an impeccable cast, including the incredible Mark Ruffalo and the marvelous Toni Collette as the villains. However, although these two talented actors could have had more screen time — as they steal the scene every time they appear — their performances still live up to the expectations of their long and respected careers. Additionally, their combination in this film has exquisite chemistry; a fusion full of theatricality and synchronization, from an acting perspective.
Mickey 17 is unlike anything we've seen before. It is fun, critical, and entertaining, while also raising a series of reflections on life and death in a creative way: with a futuristic and hilarious story as the thread that drives this debate.
While many have pointed out that the film weakens in the last fifteen minutes, in my opinion, it remains engaging, fresh, and climatic thanks to the many conflicts that unfold. It may not have the powerful ending of Parasite, which left so many with their mouths wide open, but it is a well-rounded ending; less bitter and more hopeful.
This overwhelming triumph of science fiction is, without a doubt, another one of those Bong Joon-ho films that makes it worth keeping the tradition of going to the cinema alive, just to applaud and cheer for the film when the final credits roll.
Mickey 17 is distributed in the United States by Warner Bros. Pictures.
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