Bong Joon Ho's Mickey 17 is a wild, darkly funny sci-fi adventure that packs a punch with its visuals and depth, even if it trips up a bit here and there. With a fantastic cast, the movie shines with its quirky humor and sharp satire, though its political and religious undertones might make some balk.
Robert Pattinson takes the lead as Mickey, an expendable in a futuristic colony who soon discovers his immortality might not be as great as first presented when #17 fails to die. His performance is a captivating blend of existential angst and baby-like innocence, smoothly switching between the ridiculous and the heartfelt. Mark Ruffalo, Toni Collette, Naomi Ackie, and Steven Yeun deliver fantastic performances, lifting the story and making even the oddest moments more grounded. There were several scenes where I thought, "This is a masterclass in acting."
The movie dives deep into satire, poking fun at corporate greed, religious fanaticism, and the ethics of treating people as disposable. Still, Bong's gift for mixing the ridiculousness with the serious usually keeps it between the uprights, but the wacky sci-fi plot could be a bridge too far.
That being said, Mickey 17 does have some pacing issues. The first part takes around 45-60 minutes to start rolling, which might test some viewers' patience. But once it gets going in the last hour, it picks up, delivering exciting scenes and sharp dialogue.
Is it another Parasite? Nope. It's not as deep or perfectly crafted, but it'll find its fans. If you can go with its quirks and enjoy the top-tier acting on display, Mickey 17 is worth checking out.
3.75/5
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