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Plot Summary: Mickey 17, known as an "expendable," goes on a dangerous journey to colonize an ice planet.

Director: Bong Joon Ho

Writer: Bong Joon Ho

Runtime: 2 hours 17 mins

Main Cast:

• Robert Pattinson as Mickey Barnes
• Steven Yeun as Timo
• Naomi Ackie as Nasha
• Mark Ruffalo as Kenneth Marshall
• Toni Collette as Ylfa

Review by: Samuel

What I Liked:

Mickey 17 is fantastic because of the style, humor and acting brought on screen. The setting of the film is a human space colony that has left Earth and is searching for life on a new hospitable planet. They find one, which they name Nifelheim and begin the colonize. One of the main plots revolves, of course, around our title character Mickey. Specifically, the 17th version of him. Every time Mickey dies, a new body is printed, and his consciousness is loaded into hat body. He is what’s known as an expendable which basically means they treat him like garbage as they test new vaccines, new toxins, and use him as a guinea pig to test new environments. This would be horrible to watch to anyone, but Robert Pattinson does an excellent job of making Mickey feel like that timid friend or relative you just want to protect. 

His life is further complicated when he is though to have died so an 18th Mickey was printed; resulting in Mickey 17 and 18 existing at the same time- which is a big no-no. Multiples are not allowed and are to be destroyed. So the story delves into their plan to co-exist and survive, find love, avoid the eyes of the colony’s eccentric President (played by Mark Ruffalo), and there’s even a planetary war thrown in. See? It’s a lot. 

What is important is the story never slows down and maintains excellent pacing throughout. All supporting cast performances are good even if one doesn’t truly stand out, the visuals are breathtaking, and Robert Pattinson is a jewel. It’s remarkable how well he differentiates Mickey 17 and 18 to the point that even when not speaking you can tell them apart. A lip twitch or eye glare is distinctive enough for you to never have to guess which is which when they’re on screen together, so kudos to him for that. 

The movie is also quite funny. You will be laughing through the lives of Mickey 1-16; Mark Ruffalo’s over the top performance of a narcissist was wildly enjoyable; and the relationship between Mickey and his love interest Nasha (played by Naomi Ackie) is sweet, admirable and hilarious all rolled together. 

Overall this is a good time in the theaters.

What I Didn’t Like:

At 2 hours and 17 minutes the film is a little too long- about 15 minutes could be cut. 

Toni Collette is a wonderful actress, but her character could have been excluded from the film and there would be no difference. The same is true of Anamaria Vartolomei who plays the other “love-interest” Kai. 

However, the biggest disappointment with the film is for people who think this might have been the next Parasite might feel. The commentary in this film isn’t deep and won’t make you think while you’re being entertained- it’s very on the nose. And therefore, not done as well. I think Robert Pattinson, Mark Ruffalo, and by Naomi Ackie are great on screen, but unfortunately these aren’t characters you’re going to remember the day after you’ve left the theater.