Bong Joon-ho, director of the acclaimed “Parasite,” “Host,” “Mother” and “Snowpiercer” is back. Based on the novel “Mickey 7” by Edward Ashton. With cinematography by Darius Khondji (Seven and Uncut Gems) and a stellar cast of Robert Pattinson, Toni Collette, Mark Ruffalo and Naomi Ackie, “Mickey 17” is one of those confounding, head scratching, enjoyable pieces of pulp that has so much to say, so much going on, you can’t help but be pulled along for the ride.
Let’s start with the basic premise. A young man endures some bad luck and unfortunate circumstances that causes him in desperation to attempt to flee, well the planet earth. The problem is a lot of other people are too. He needs to flee because if he doesn’t a very powerful man with a very strange vice most certainly will kill him. To get off the planet he becomes an “expendable” without knowing what that means.
What it means is each time he dies he will be reprinted with all of the memories of the last version of himself. In effect he becomes disposable, used for science, to keep humans safe, a tool. Fortunately for Mickey he discovers Nash’s, a pilot who falls in love with him and is with through many of his grisly ends.
Things only get weirder from there. The ship is on a four year journey to a mysterious planet led under the guidance of a preposterously funny clueless former congressman played by Mark Ruffalo and his sauce loving wife Toni Collette. The sauce plays a part in the movie.
With a supporting cast that includes a deliciously selfish and weasely Steven Yuen, a race of aliens that defy all expectations and not one but two Robert Pattisons, the film folds in and out of time sequences, with backstories, sub plots and endless questions.
Does this all work?
For the most part , yes. Honestly I thought it was a little long but not by much. Walking out of the theater I felt like I had seen the most batshit crazy sci fi movie since “The Fifth Element.” “Mickey 17” is a bit more subdued to be sure. Even at two hours and seventeen minutes it is well made and thoroughly entertaining.
We give this one 🔪🔪🔪/4.
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