By: Lana K. Wilson-Combs
Although I wasn't a huge fan of director and screenwriter Bong Joon-Ho's Oscar-winning dark comedy/thriller
"Parasite," I approached his latest sci-fi adventure,
"Mickey 17," with great anticipation.
Based on
Edward Ashton's 2022 novel "Mickey 7," this film propels viewers into a vision of humanity's future and delves into ethical and existential questions that appear relevant today.
Set on the icy, inhospitable planet Niflheim, the movie follows Mickey Barnes (Robert Pattinson, "The Batman"), an expendable worker sent to the planet to perform dangerous tasks. When Mickey is killed on a mission, he is quickly replaced by a clone--Mickey 8--only to discover that his identity might not be as singular as he thought.
The film explores themes of life, death, and the ethics of cloning with a mix of dark humor and tense, emotional drama.
The stakes grow higher as Mickey grapples with the implications of his repeated "resurrections."
Part of the strength of "Mickey 17" lies in Bong's ability to create a unique world that feels both vast and intimate. The film deftly balances philosophical musings with sharp sci-fi storytelling, asking audiences to consider the fundamental question of what it means to be human.
Mickey's existential struggle is compounded by the presence of his orphanage friend Timo (Steven Yeun, "A Cruel Love: The Ruth Ellis Story") and his love interest Nasha (Naomi Ackie, "Blink Twice"). The ensemble cast also includes Mark Ruffalo as Kenneth Marshall, a former politician with nefarious plans, and Toni Collette as his wife, Ylfa, who attempts to keep him in check.
Visually, "Mickey 17" is an absolute feast. Bong’s direction, paired with stunning cinematography and striking special effects, brings Niflheim's icy terrain and alien creatures--creepy creepers--to life with such vivid detail that it feels tangible.
However, for two hours and 17 minutes, the film also often feels overstretched, with pacing that meanders between moments of brilliance and unnecessary excess. While the movie is at times a scattershot affair, Pattinson's performance shines, as he once again takes on a unique and challenging role.
Although "Mickey 17" may be an acquired taste for even the most ardent sci-fi fans, it's undeniably an ambitious film that challenges audiences to think critically about life, death, and what comes after.
Editor's Note: Be sure to catch my N2Entertainment.net movie talk segment on the Kitty O'Neal Show Fridays now at 5:17 p.m. and 6:47 p.m. on radio station KFBK 93.1 FM and 1530 AM.
Watch This Trailer For
"MICKEY 17"
Lana K. Wilson-Combs is a member of the Broadcast Film Critics Association (BFCA), The American Film Institute (AFI), and a Nominating Committee Voting Member for the NAACP Image Awards.
