Mickey 17
Mickey 17 is playing in theaters at the time of writing. Rated R. Common Sense says 15+.
Mickey 17 (Robert Pattinson), known as an "expendable," goes on a dangerous journey to colonize an ice planet.
STORY: D+
The film’s exploration of its themes reads like a page that’s been entirely highlighted.
The film sets out as an incisive investigation of death, life, the afterlife, religious fanaticism, political ego, colonialism, and the ethics of technology. It’s a lot. And as they say: when you highlight everything, you've actually highlighted nothing.
Its overload of ideas carves a yawning chasm between the audience and its compelling topics. It’s hard to tell if the movie bites off more than it can chew, or if it’s just not interested in eating.
PEOPLE: C
Several over-the-top performances don’t land.
Pattinson's performance as Mickey 17 & 18 is impressive, as is Naomi Ackie’s portrayal of Nasha. But most of the cast (specifically Ruffalo and Collette) push the camp too far. Their presence in the film feels very aware of itself. It feels more like an indication of satire than satire itself.
That style works well for Tilda Swinton and Jake Gyllenhall in Bong’s previous film, Okja. That film’s narrower thematic focus not only better suits their performances, it elevates the entire film.
FILM NERD STUFF: C+
Little razzle, little dazzle.
Specific shots and sequences from Parasite, Memories of Murder, Snowpiercer, and The Host live permanently etched in my brain like the faces on Mt. Rushmore. Bong Joon-Ho adds nothing new to his portfolio of breathtaking imagery.
* To be fair, I will concede that the way the aliens cloak their leader in battle is an interesting and memorable image.
ONE BIG LESSON: A-
It’s ok to be scared of dying. It’s not ok to act that way.
If one combs through the dense tangle of themes in this film, I believe you’ll discover that Bong is saying this: the things we do to avoid death and/or being forgotten too often bring disaster and destruction to others.
No shade to those scared of the great unknown. I doubt it’s possible to be totally fear-free when it comes to dying. But don’t lose your humanity in order to keep your life.
FINAL COMMENTS:
Bong Joon-Ho gets a big budget to explore big themes. And in both cases, bigger does not lead to better.
If his past films are speed boats and jet-skis, Mickey 17 is a colossal cargo tanker. There’s a whole lot inside of it but frankly, it’s just not that fun of a ride.