5 Reasons you should watch Bong Joon Ho’s ‘Mickey 17’

Bong Joon Ho is fast-becoming one of the directing world’s biggest names. Those who watch Korean cinema would be familiar with his impressive oeuvre, from Memories of Murder and The Host to Snowpiercer. However, it wasn’t until his historic win at the 2019 Oscars in Best Picture for Parasite that Bong would be recognised on a global scale. Now, all eyes are on the South Korean director to deliver another stunning piece of filmmaking to get cinephiles talking—and that he did.

With Mickey 17, the premise seems wacky and outlandish enough. Based on the 2022 novel, Mickey 7, by Edward Ashton, the film follows a young man named Mickey who becomes an Expendable, a disposable employee whose body is reprinted after death, on a human expedition to conquer an icy, cold planet. 

We were able to catch an advanced screening of Mickey 17 at The Aurum Theatre’s IMAX Hall at The Exchange TRX. With 12 powerful channel-sound and a specially designed curved screen that extends to the edges of your peripheral vision, watching Mickey 17 on our lush recliner seats with our favourite snacks and drinks on hand (inclusive with the IMAX pass) was a treat for our eyes and stomachs, and highly recommend you do the same for a truly immersive experience. 

Ahead, find out five things that impressed us about Mickey 17 and why you should watch Bong’s latest movie in theatres now.

1. Robert Pattinson’s transformative performance

Mickey 17 features a star-studded cast but Robert Pattinson’s performance as the titular Mickey is the true standout of the film. The British actor is quickly becoming an auteur-darling, with his proven capabilities of shapeshifting into unrecognisable characters in films such as The Lighthouse, The Devil All The Time, and The Batman. 

In Mickey 17, Pattinson’s acting range comes out in full force as he transforms into the meek and timid Mickey. From his exaggerated American Southern accent down to his caved posture, Pattinson is impressive as the naive and puppy-like eponymous character. 

His performance is also made all the more memorable when he plays dual roles as Mickey 17 and Mickey 18. While previous Mickeys portray little differences in personality, Mickey 18 is rougher around the edges, combative, and more confident. Pattinson’s ability to play both roles seamlessly on screen made for a fun and memorable watch. 

Much like his Harry Potter co-star Daniel Radcliffe, who is also determined to shed the image from his most famous film franchise, Pattinson has proven in this film that he is one of Hollywood’s most versatile actors today. Edward Cullen, who? We only know Mickey! 

2. The question of morality and mortality 

No matter how eccentric or surreal a premise, trust Bong to always imbue some sort of social commentary in his films. While it may not be as subtle or nuanced compared to his previous works (Mickey 17 is probably his most straightforward messaging), the film’s question of morality, mortality, and the human condition are still compelling to consider. 

Mickey’s role as an Expendable, where he is literally employed to die and be reprinted again and again for the sake of humanity, raises questions about the sanctity of life. From the moment he is labeled as an Expendable, Mickey’s humanity is erased as he is treated as no more than a piece of meat to be poked, prodded, and subjected to whatever other awful conditions as the first line of defense. 

His treatment reminded us of Marina Abramović and her series of performance art where she allowed art gallery visitors to do anything they wanted with her body as she sat there in silence (spoiler alert: she ended up with cuts and in one instance, stripped of her clothes). What happens when someone gives you complete permission over their life? It’s a dark and uncomfortable path of depravity that humans can descend into, that’s for sure. 

3. The animal sub-plot

A group of humans from various social standing traveling in a metal tank across an icy blizzard? We love a good Snowpiercer callback. But if you’ve watched the trailer, you’ll also know that there is another reference to another Bong feature. Giant creature, ring a bell? Yes, there’s also an Okja influence too. 

Bong is no stranger to exploring non-human characters and their complicated relationship with mankind. In Mickey 17, that comes in the form of these pill bug-looking creatures that roam Niflheim, the cold planet Kenneth Marshall is attempting to colonise with his fleet. No spoilers but these Creepers are important in the film for various reasons so keep your eyes peeled. We also can’t get over how adorable they are and are desperately waiting for the merch line to drop. We need the plush toy, stat!

4. The impressive visuals 

No, we’re not talking about how good-looking the cast is (although that is true). We’ve seen a lot of botchy CGI lately but fortunately, Mickey 17 doesn’t fall into this category. One of the charms of Bong’s movies is that the world he presents always feels lived in and real. This goes the same for Mickey 17. 

The set designs are incredibly detailed and tell a story of their own without necessarily spelling it out for us (e.g. Kenneth Marshall’s decadent suite verses Mickey’s battered room). Even when full CGI is used, it still looks great on the IMAX screen where any flaws are glaringly obvious. Bong’s careful use of green screen, practical effects, and real sets make the viewing experience that much more tangible and immersive. 

5. The bits of comedy in between

While Mickey 17 deals with some heavy topics, it’s still a satirical science fiction black comedy at the end of the day. In fact, there will be several moments where you’ll laugh out loud (or IJBOL, as Gen Zs would say it). 

Much of it is to the credit of Robert Pattinson and Mark Ruffalo’s impeccable comedic timing. The latter has proven that in his performance in Poor Things and his role as the ex-president Kenneth Marshall is just as gimmicky and rambunctious. Toni Collette works well with Ruffalo as the narcissistic power couple but is underutilized in the film. Nevertheless, if you’re looking for a movie that has both drama and comedy, Mickey 17 is a good mix. 

Overall rating: 7.5/10

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