Mickey 17: A Poor Snowpiercer Clone
- It has been nearly six years as Bong Joon-ho's Parasite premiered at the Cannes Film Festival, securing the Palme d’Or and later making history as the first non-English-language...
- Mickey 17 presents a future marked by rampant capitalism and a dying Earth.
- Robert Pattinson brings an oddness to the role of Mickey, employing "a squawking accent and a nervous, awkward jitter." Pattinson, since his Twilight days, has shown an eagerness...
Bong Joon Ho Returns with ‘Mickey 17‘: A Bleakly Comedic Sci-Fi Story
Table of Contents
- Bong Joon Ho Returns with ‘Mickey 17’: A Bleakly Comedic Sci-Fi Story
- Mickey 17: Your Questions Answered About Bong Joon-ho’s New Sci-Fi Film
- What is Mickey 17 about?
- What are the main themes explored in Mickey 17?
- Who stars in Mickey 17?
- What is Robert Pattinson’s role like in the movie?
- How does Mickey 17 compare to Bong Joon-ho’s previous films like Parasite and Snowpiercer?
- What are some of the criticisms of Mickey 17?
- Does Mickey 17 offer anything new or unique?
Published:
It has been nearly six years as Bong Joon-ho‘s Parasite premiered at the Cannes Film Festival, securing the Palme d’Or and later making history as the first non-English-language film to win the Academy Award for best picture. Now, Bong returns with Mickey 17, a venture into science fiction that explores familiar themes of class and capitalism in a new setting.
The Premise of ‘Mickey 17’
Mickey 17 presents a future marked by rampant capitalism and a dying Earth. Desperate individuals take on perilous jobs with the hope of escaping to another planet. The most perilous occupation is that of an Expendable. In this role, a volunteer’s consciousness is uploaded, allowing them to be repeatedly reprinted and re-downloaded after each death in the line of duty. It’s a cycle of die, rinse, and repeat.
Robert Pattinson‘s Performance
Robert Pattinson brings an oddness to the role of Mickey, employing “a squawking accent and a nervous, awkward jitter.” Pattinson, since his Twilight days, has shown an eagerness to transform himself. this aligns well with Bong’s filmmaking style, as his characters often possess a distinct sense of humor. While the comedy may not always translate perfectly, Pattinson’s efforts are notable.
A Test of Patience
while the premise of dispensable clones offers intriguing possibilities for socioeconomic commentary,Mickey 17 sometimes struggles to maintain focus. The film introduces Mickey, a character fleeing a moneylender, who ends up on a spaceship bound for an icy planet.
clash on an Icy Planet
Upon arrival,the colonists face a desolate landscape and local fauna resembling giant pill bugs. Kenneth (Mark Ruffalo), the mission leader, aims to establish a new civilization, leading to a clash between colonizers and the planet’s inhabitants. This narrative touches on relevant themes but relies on familiar tropes.
Satire and Parody
Mickey 17 also attempts to satirize certain aspects of American chauvinism. However, the film’s commentary feels somewhat dated. Toni Collette plays Ylfa, Kenneth’s wife, whose defining trait is an obsession with culinary sauces, a parody that feels underdeveloped.
Character Progress
Naomi Acke plays a security agent and potential love interest for Mickey, but her character suffers from choppy motivations. The film as a whole feels erratic, jumping between plot points and thematic concerns.
Final Verdict
Ultimately, Mickey 17 is described as “curiously, dismayingly dull.” While Bong delivers arresting visuals, the film draws comparisons to his earlier work, Snowpiercer, without achieving the same poignancy. A deeper exploration of the corporate exploitation of workers might have yielded more profound results. Instead, the film becomes enamored with its animal creations and broad jokes.
Class Warfare in Outer Space
Bong Joon Ho brings class warfare to outer space with “Mickey 17,” bending a whole new genre. The film presents a bleakly comedic sci-fi vision, but does it fully deliver on its potential?
Mickey 17: Your Questions Answered About Bong Joon-ho’s New Sci-Fi Film
Bong Joon-ho, the visionary director behind the Oscar-winning film Parasite, is back with Mickey 17. This new project marks a venture into the science fiction genre, exploring themes of class and capitalism in a futuristic setting. Here’s a breakdown of what you need to know about Mickey 17.
What is Mickey 17 about?
Mickey 17 is set in a future where Earth is dying, and humanity seeks refuge on other planets. The film follows Mickey, an ”Expendable,” who takes on dangerous missions.Expendables have their consciousness uploaded, allowing them to be revived with their memories intact after each death. This makes them ideal for highly risky tasks. The film explores the implications of this disposable workforce and the socioeconomic issues that arise. Mickey 17 portrays a future shaped by rampant capitalism and the lengths people will go to for a chance at a new life.
What are the main themes explored in Mickey 17?
Class Warfare: The film delves into the divide between those who control resources and those who are considered expendable.
Capitalism: Mickey 17 critiques the future under rampant capitalism, where human life is devalued.
survival: The characters are driven by a desperate need to escape a dying Earth and establish a new civilization, raising questions about what they are willing to sacrifice.
Identity: As Mickey is repeatedly “reprinted” and “re-downloaded,” there are questions about identity, humanity and the self.
Who stars in Mickey 17?
The film boasts a star-studded cast:
Robert Pattinson as Mickey
Naomi Ackie as a security agent and potential love interest
Steven Yeun
Toni Collette as Ylfa, the mission leader’s wife
Mark Ruffalo as Kenneth, the mission leader
What is Robert Pattinson’s role like in the movie?
Robert Pattinson plays Mickey, the expendable worker. The review notes that Pattinson brings an “oddness” to the role, employing “a squawking accent and a nervous, awkward jitter.” he took interest in the role to transform himself beyond his earlier works such as Twilight.
How does Mickey 17 compare to Bong Joon-ho’s previous films like Parasite and Snowpiercer?
While Mickey 17 shares thematic similarities with Bong Joon-ho’s previous works like Parasite (class conflict) and Snowpiercer (dystopian society),the review suggests that it doesn’t quite reach the same level of poignancy or depth. The film is described as “curiously, dismayingly dull.”
What are some of the criticisms of Mickey 17?
Lack of Focus: The film struggles to maintain focus, jumping between plot points and thematic concerns.
Dated Satire: The attempts to satirize American chauvinism feel somewhat dated.
Underdeveloped Characters: Some characters, like Toni Collette’s Ylfa and Naomi Ackie’s character are described as underdeveloped with “choppy motivations”.
Superficial Commentary: The film’s exploration of corporate exploitation of workers is considered superficial.
Does Mickey 17 offer anything new or unique?
Bleakly comedic sci-Fi vision: Combines dark humor with a