By Trudi-Rose Edwards
There’s something refreshing about going to see a film that isn’t a three hour, limited run, Oscar-bait showpiece; Bong Joon Ho’s sci-fi dark comedy thriller (yes, it’s all those things) is the perfect anti-Oscar movie. That’s not to say it isn’t good (are all Oscar nominated films all that good?). In fact it’s really good, it’s the sort of film made by people who aren’t busy touting the red carpets and attending every critics festival to garner award clout. In short: it’s fun.
Set in the future, Mickey 17 tells the story of Mickey Barnes (Robert Pattinson) a hapless, loveable loser who, desperate to escape dangerous loan sharks on Earth, enlists as an “expendable”, a crew member on a colony spaceship who is treated as the ultimate human guinea pig, sent out on the most dangerous missions and killed over and over.
That’s right. Each time he dies, the ship’s scientists regenerate his body with his memories, thoughts and personality all intact. This all runs reasonably smoothly until Mickey 17 (the seventeenth incarnation of our hero) survives one of his near-death experiences and the eighteenth version of him is printed, creating a “multiple” which breaches the colony’s (loose) ethical standards meaning both Mickeys must be destroyed.
The concept is surprisingly not too complex, largely thanks to Robert Pattinson’s Mickey dismissing the ethical issues of reprinting a human (it was banned on Earth, *shrug*) and explaining it all as “science”. Speaking of not too complex, Mickey himself is an innocent, slightly whiney, who, thanks to Pattinson’s delivery, maintains a spark of humour and plenty of compassion, making him an enjoyable character despite essentially being that guy at work who complains about his job 24/7.
Pattinson also plays the other Mickey, Mickey 18, a twisted, snarky, semi-evil version of Mickey who attempts to murder his 17th self to equally good effect, even managing to have good chemistry with his on screen self.
Another strength is Mark Ruffalo who plays the sickening dictator-like figure leading the colony. Caked in makeup and giving preachy televised speeches, Ruffalo mixes the perfect amount stupidity with ego to portray a horrific Trump-Musk type character that scene steals at every opportunity. Toni Colette plays his simpering and equally diabolical wife, teasingly close to panto villain.
Where the cast is effective the script is not. A little disjointed and lacking in a clear direction, is it a dark comedy about a man being forced to endure death (often long and painful) over and over again in the name of science and enabling mankind to thrive in a new planet? Is it a thriller involving the two Mickeys attempting survive each other and the regime? Is it a classic sci-fi blockbuster featuring CGI aliens and an unexpected hero? Or is it all of the above?
The messiness of the plot hampers the overall enjoyment but Pattinson’s impressive output, Bong Joon Ho’s slick and tight-paced direction and a strong supporting cast make up for the weaker aspects of the script.
This is an entertaining, humorous and at times heartwarming movie, which – unlike the actual Mickey – you might actually want to see twice.
Mickey 17 is in cinemas from 7 March
Photos courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures