Mickey 17

Mickey 17 is such a wasted opportunity and for me the first big disappointment of 2025. It's 140' of nothing! A movie that constantly talks but doesn't actually say anything of value. It just has all these big ideas that end up nowhere and at times its only saving grace is some moments of levity that are really funny.

It's a science fiction movie that never explores its themes. What does it say about cloning? About colonization? It touches these subjects, sure, but it's so shallow.

Robert Pattinson is fine but I think he's wasted in this. All the different versions of Mickey are also supposed to have different personalities but aside from 17 and 18 (as seen in the trailer) the previous 16 all act the same, even though the movie says that have different characteristics. But even that doesn't matter because we never get to see all the different Mickeys aside from a quick montage.

Also, let me say that the use of narration in this movie is egregious. It doesn't enhance the experience, it's just filler to cover the silence.

Finally, it's so boring! Boring visuals, boring sci-fi elements, boring creature designs, no unique aesthetic, no nothing.

Mickey 17 had the potential to be an innovative sci-fi/comedy film, and it starts off in an engaging and original way. However, as the story progresses, it loses focus and ultimately turns into something generic, with an uninspired and rushed conclusion.

Robert Pattinson delivers a solid and well-rounded performance, proving his versatility even in a film that leans more towards comedy - something outside his usual genre. Despite the lighter tone, Pattinson brings depth to his character, making the story feel more grounded and adding an emotional layer to the film that otherwise would feel empty.

Cloning is a fascinating subject for a sci-fi movie because of all the moral and practical dilemmas it presents. Mickey 17 introduces these ideas but doesn't fully engage in them, shifting focus to a less compelling storyline midway through - the Creepers.

It feels out of the place compared to the film's promising start and even the trailers- The initial mix of humor and originality is lost, and by the end, the movie feels like it was hurriedly wrapped up just to deliver something, lacking any real creativity or impact.

That said, the film excels in its production design. The setting and character outfits are well-crafter, adding to the immersive sci-fi atmosphere. Additionally, the visual effects are compelling, bringing the futuristic world to life in a convincing and visually stunning way, which helps maintain engagement even when the story fails to do so.

Bong Jongho's next wide-screen project since his historic win at the Oscar's is rather a big let-down.

For such an intriguing premise, we should have been promised a story with colorful development and of gray morality, and yet were presented with such an obviously black-and-white good-triumphing-over-evil Hollywood movie.

The morality of science? The definition of one's self? The Ship of Theseus paradox? Like, such a wasted opportunity to explore the multitude of questions. I guess it's my fault to expect too much.

Robert Pattinson and Toni Collette are amazing, though. Brilliant camera work and visual effects.

Let's start with the obvious-while "Mickey 17" offers plenty of social commentary, it falls short of the sharp satire and intelligent (class) critique that made "Parasite" a modern masterpiece. Instead, what we get is a sci-fi parody that explores humanity's vanity and self-destruction, yet for some reason, it never truly feels like it takes place in a distant future.

*** Robert Pattinson delivers another strong performance, continuing his streak of unique and compelling roles. He has successfully reshaped his career, moving far beyond his early days, and frankly, we prefer him this way. His unexpected comedic side is a revelation, adding a fresh layer to his performance. Mark Ruffalo also shines, delivering a performance reminiscent of his role in Poor Things, with certain expressions and mannerisms subtly evoking Trump.

*** The production is undeniably grand and expensive, evident in its visually striking yet occasionally excessive scenes. The film often gives off a sense of familiarity-as if we've seen these themes before. The idea for example that we are the real aliens and "monsters" is hardly new, and at times, the script leans too heavily on familiar concepts explored already by many movies.

*** While Mickey 17 is a solid film, it's far from a masterpiece. Perhaps the biggest challenge is that Bong Joon-ho has set the bar so high that anything less than exceptional feels like a slight let-down. There's a lingering sense that something is missing-a sharper edge, a deeper impact, or a more innovative twist.

Written and directed by Bong Joon Ho, "Mickey 17" is a new sci-fi comedy starring Robert Pattinson as Mickey, an expendable. Mickey signs up for a space voyage as an expendable, which means he'll be remade after each death that occurs while doing taxing work. The movie also stars Mark Ruffalo, Toni Collette, and Naomi Ackie. "Mickey 17" was one of my most anticipated movies this year because Bong Joon Ho is an award-winning director who has made unique movies.

Bong Joon Ho seems to get the very best out of his actors, and they want to bring Ho's vision to life. Robert Pattinson was amazing in this dual performance as he gives unique identities to each character. Mark Ruffalo as the petty dictator was very entertaining. After seeing him in this and "Poor Things", I want to see him in more weird roles. The themes around classes, politics, and colonization were entertaining and impactful despite those themes occasionally being beaten into our heads. I enjoyed the unique experience from this movie, and I am glad it was a goofy, satirical movie unlike "Parasite."

Despite amazing performances, there were some flaws in this movie that bothered me. The beginning was very slow in my opinion because we went back in time to see how he got there. During this, we get a voiceover to narrate what was happening. They easily could have started there. With this beginning, I thought the movie had some pacing issues, mostly due to this. Some elements in the movie seemed to be important, such as the side romance plot, but they were never mentioned again. The climax was entertaining and contained the most action; however, the ending included a dream sequence that felt very unnecessary.

Overall, I found this movie to be enjoyable, but it was slightly disappointing compared to expectations. I am glad I got to see this relatively soon after it came out. I recommend checking this movie out on HBO Max.