“Mickey 17,” a sci-fi comedy, hit theaters March 7. The film, directed by Bong Joon-ho, is adapted from the book “Mickey7,” authored by Ashton Edward. Set in the year 2054, “Mickey 17” follows the misadventures of human clone Mickey Barnes (played by Robert Pattinson) on the snowy planet of Niflheim. While many had high expectations for the movie, its reception upon release was unjustifiably negative.
Viewers initially had high hopes for “Mickey 17” due to Bong’s recognition in notable films such as “Parasite” and “Okja.”
“A lot of people were complaining online about the movie, but I think it was because they had high expectations of the director,” Lambert senior Jaden Hicks said.
“Parasite” had large success in 2019, winning in all six of its Oscar nominations including “Best Director.” The film further skyrocketed Bong’s career, with many considering it his magnum opus. Although “Mickey 17” pales in comparison to “Parasite,” it has risen to the top in box office rankings, proving to be a favorite among its stale cinematic counterparts.
Many also felt that Mark Ruffalo’s character, Kenneth Marshall, an egotistical politician opposing Mickey, was surface deep. This failed to provide anything new or different.
“You can kind of chart out his entire arc from the beginning,” Hicks noted. “That said, Mark Ruffalo does perform well.”
While Ruffalo’s character was poorly written, his portrayal drew parallels to that of real world figures such as U.S. President Donald Trump. This role, paired with themes of politics, religion and humanity made for a presently relevant movie while remaining comedical for audience entertainment.
Although “Mickey 17” shed light on many different themes, the movie did not delve any further than making their presence known. Ultimately, the film would have benefited from focusing on a few, select ideas and fleshing them out.
All in all, “Mickey 17” is not one of the worst films of the year. While the film is certainly no “Parasite,” Bong’s vision of a sci-fi comedy, grounded in today’s themes, still makes for an entertaining experience in the present landscape of mediocre movies.
