Mickey 17

I love movies that step out of the comfort zone and aren't afraid to tell a weird, uncomfortable story. This movie is exactly that. Although it's not perfect, it's dark, comedic, thought-provoking & corny (in good and some bad ways lol). Robert Pattinson's character is a little annoying with the whole voice thing at first but his acting is incredible in this movie, props to him. Joon-ho had a super high bar to reach after Parasite, and this movie definitely reached that for me. His work is diverse, unique and poetic while being entertaining for all. Overall it is definitely worth a watch and one of my faves in recent years.

Let's start with the obvious-while "Mickey 17" offers plenty of social commentary, it falls short of the sharp satire and intelligent (class) critique that made "Parasite" a modern masterpiece. Instead, what we get is a sci-fi parody that explores humanity's vanity and self-destruction, yet for some reason, it never truly feels like it takes place in a distant future.

*** Robert Pattinson delivers another strong performance, continuing his streak of unique and compelling roles. He has successfully reshaped his career, moving far beyond his early days, and frankly, we prefer him this way. His unexpected comedic side is a revelation, adding a fresh layer to his performance. Mark Ruffalo also shines, delivering a performance reminiscent of his role in Poor Things, with certain expressions and mannerisms subtly evoking Trump.

*** The production is undeniably grand and expensive, evident in its visually striking yet occasionally excessive scenes. The film often gives off a sense of familiarity-as if we've seen these themes before. The idea for example that we are the real aliens and "monsters" is hardly new, and at times, the script leans too heavily on familiar concepts explored already by many movies.

*** While Mickey 17 is a solid film, it's far from a masterpiece. Perhaps the biggest challenge is that Bong Joon-ho has set the bar so high that anything less than exceptional feels like a slight let-down. There's a lingering sense that something is missing-a sharper edge, a deeper impact, or a more innovative twist.

Mickey 17 had the potential to be an innovative sci-fi/comedy film, and it starts off in an engaging and original way. However, as the story progresses, it loses focus and ultimately turns into something generic, with an uninspired and rushed conclusion.

Robert Pattinson delivers a solid and well-rounded performance, proving his versatility even in a film that leans more towards comedy - something outside his usual genre. Despite the lighter tone, Pattinson brings depth to his character, making the story feel more grounded and adding an emotional layer to the film that otherwise would feel empty.

Cloning is a fascinating subject for a sci-fi movie because of all the moral and practical dilemmas it presents. Mickey 17 introduces these ideas but doesn't fully engage in them, shifting focus to a less compelling storyline midway through - the Creepers.

It feels out of the place compared to the film's promising start and even the trailers- The initial mix of humor and originality is lost, and by the end, the movie feels like it was hurriedly wrapped up just to deliver something, lacking any real creativity or impact.

That said, the film excels in its production design. The setting and character outfits are well-crafter, adding to the immersive sci-fi atmosphere. Additionally, the visual effects are compelling, bringing the futuristic world to life in a convincing and visually stunning way, which helps maintain engagement even when the story fails to do so.

The trailer was incredibly promising, compelling all of us to watch the movie at least once. I was expecting a "Lost in Space"-type adventure, where Mickey repeatedly dies for a meaningful cause and comes back to life to fulfill his purpose. However, the story didn't quite take that route. For those who usually claims a plot to be very much predictable, this movie is not like those.

The first part of the film was quite good, filled with dark comedy. We witness Mickey's suffering, understand why he chose his job, and see how indifferent everyone is to his recurring deaths. This tone persists through about two-thirds of the movie.

The expedition leaders were the most disappointing characters. They should have been more responsible and sensible, but the story chose to depict them as foolish jesters. The ending and climax was not very satisfying and was quite unpredictable, with numerous plot points, such as communication with the planet's inhabitants, that felt chaotic.

As for the acting, Robert Pattinson delivered an excellent performance, showcasing distinct personality shifts between his versions of Mickey. The other actors also did a commendable job, but the story itself was the primary letdown.

Spoilers:

I am left with two major questions after watching the movie:

First - How did the leader of the planet's inhabitants know Mickey's name?

Second - How was Mickey confident that detonating himself wouldn't also destroy the other Mickey?

Mickey 17 is a movie that's not bad but not always good.

Robert Pattinson nails an American accent, which to be honest is totally unnecessary given the amount of different nationalities involved!

British features strongly.

But anyway he does well. And he's always great in the role of all Mickey's.

The supporting cast are fine except for in my opinion a terrible character in Mark Ruffalo's Kenneth Mars and yes I know what he was going for. It's just pretty bad.

The story isn't bad, it's decent enough for a sci fi movie. But it doesn't nail any political or social matters like Parasite or Okja, both of which are absolutely brilliant films.

And therefore a straight sci fi actioner could've been better here.

Although admittedly there's some pretty funny moments.

I sound disappointed which is probably the right emotion. I was expecting something really good but this had too much of Okja and Snowpiercer type action and acting to be unique.

I don't want Bong Joon-Ho to become a parody of himself like Wes Anderson. I believe he's capable of much more.

I have absolutely loved all of his past efforts even Barking Dogs Never Bite, which I think is hilarious.

So that's 3 American made movies all very similar in tone. Definitely time for something more.

Anyway it's worth a watch but this is not a classic.