Star Cast: Robert Pattinson, Mark Ruffalo, Toni Collette, Naomi Ackie
Director: Bong Joon Ho
Mickey 17 Movie Review Synopsis:
MICKEY 17 is the story of a man on a crazy adventure. The film is set in the future. Mickey Barnes (Robert Pattinson) starts a macron eatery by taking a huge loan. The business fails and the lender, Darius Blank (Ian Hanmore) is behind his life and that of his business partner Timo (Steven Yeun). They decide to leave the Earth and enlist in ultra-rich businessman Kenneth Marshall’s (Mark Ruffalo) space program. Mickey unknowingly signs up for being an ‘Expandable’, which involves taking a ‘backup’ of your body and memories and getting into dangerous and fatal tasks. The idea is that even if Mickey dies, Kenneth Marshall’s team of scientists can ‘reprint’ him and once again send him on life-threatening missions. Mickey and others, including Kenneth and his wife Ylfa (Toni Collette), are flown to Nilfheim, a planet that Kenneth wants to colonize. Mickey dies 16 times on Nilfheim and while he’s on the way. Mickey 17 is one day sent outside the space shuttle in Nilfheim to catch a ‘creeper’, an animal that inhabits the planet. Kenneth’s team wants to study the animals and possibly exterminate them as they are seen as a threat. Mickey falls into a gorge full of creepers and is believed to be dead. Mickey, however, survives and goes back to the space shuttle. Meanwhile, assuming that Mickey 17 is dead, Kenneth’s team ‘prints’ his replacement, Mickey 18. Mickey 17 goes back to the shuttle and comes face to face with his clone, leading to madness. What happens next forms the rest of the film.
Mickey 17 Movie Story Review:
MICKEY 17 is based on the book ‘Mickey 7’ by Edward Ashton. Bong Joon Ho’s story is one of a kind. Bong Joon Ho’s screenplay is very entertaining and engaging. Bong Joon Ho’s dialogues are normal.
Bong Joon Ho’s direction is splendid. After PARASITE [2019], he yet again explores certain social themes, while ensuring the entertainment quotient remains intact. This time, he also makes a larger political statement. In fact, certain characters are very similar to real-life personalities and it adds to the fun. The film begins on an intriguing note and then goes into a flashback. The makers spend the first hour in build-up and once Mickey 17 meets Mickey 18, the film goes to a different level. The dinner sequence also stands out.
Post-interval, the film continues its maddening journey. However, the villain track is a bit weak. He’s very dangerous and powerful but the protagonists are able to overpower him rather easily.
Mickey 17 Movie Review Performances:
Robert Pattinson steals the show. All the Mickey’s have distinct personality traits and in this regard, he comes out with flying colours. Mark Ruffalo delivers one of the finest performances of his career. He gets into the skin of his character and comes out with an act that does justice to his eccentric character. Toni Collette also lends able support to Mark and delivers an equally impressive and crazy performance. Naomi Ackie (Nasha Barridge) maintains a strong position and stands out among such compelling performances. She is very memorable in the scene where she meets both Mickeys. Anamaria Vartolomei (Kai) leaves a mark. Cameron Britton (Arkady), Patsy Ferran (Dorothy), Steven Yeun and Ian Hanmore are decent.
Mickey 17 movie music and other technical aspects:
Jung Jae-il’s music has an opera feel and fits seamlessly with the narrative. Darius Khondji’s cinematography is lovely as it avoids the grandeur shots and focuses more on the principal characters. Fiona Crombie’s production design and Catherine George’s costumes are appropriate. The action is realistic while the VFX is top-class. Yang Jin-mo’s editing is slick.
Mickey 17 Movie Review Conclusion:
On the whole, MICKEY 17 rests on a crazy yet highly relatable premise and is packed with outrageously hilarious moments and strong performances. The buzz in India is currently limited, but the positive word-of-mouth, a clean release window, and the fact that it’s directed by PARASITE filmmaker Bong Joon Ho should hopefully draw audiences to cinemas.