Mickey 17: “In space, no one can hear your HR complaints”
Running from your problems never solves them, but that won’t stop the people in the year 2054 from trying. “Mickey 17” introduces audiences to a not-too-distant future where salvation from a dying earth has come in the form of space travel. Finding a new planet, it seems, is much easier than saving the current one. One such galactic expedition is led by former politician Kenneth Marshall (Mark Ruffalo), a blustering, orange-skinned egoist who shares the dream of a world of “pure” humans with his spaceship full of red-capped supporters. Uh oh.
Our guide on this questionable quest is the titular Mickey 17 (Robert Pattinson), a colony member whose job title is simply “expendable.” Mickey’s biggest concerns are dodging ration reductions for bad behavior, spending time with his girlfriend Nasha — played by Naomi Ackie — and dying over and over. Thanks to futuristic technology, Mickey’s genetic data has been saved to the spaceship he lives in, meaning he can easily be spat out of a 3D printer as soon as he meets his demise. This process makes Mickey the perfect lab rat, ready but rarely willing to sacrifice himself in the name of science, progress and his fellow colonists. As Mickey has already died 16 times — and can recall the painful details of each and every death — he understandably has very little self-worth. This struggle isn’t helped by interactions with his fellow colonists, who routinely and callously ask him what it’s like to die. How would you feel if people thought it was hilarious to ask you about the worst 16 moments of your existence? The existential dread that defines a hapless Mickey provides an excellent contrast to the otherwise bombastic supporting cast and wider story. Pattinson disappears into the role, delivering a performance that gives Mickey an endlessly enjoyable and timid charm.
“Mickey 17” is a strong film. Director Bong Joon Ho has taken his longtime interest in anti-capitalist themes and sent them to the edge of the universe with great success. Its desolate mood is matched with sadistic whimsy every step of the way, leading to some darkly hilarious moments. While it feels much longer than its runtime would suggest due to some shaky pacing, it remains chock-full of the kind of twisted concepts found in the most memorable science fiction. “Mickey 17” repeatedly and unflinchingly dwells on the terror that is Mickey’s reality while also taking care not to make any jokes at his expense. This sensitivity goes a long way toward driving its messages home, for the film’s comedy carefully avoids giving the audience any easy escapes from the horrors it confronts them with. While it’s a shame that the perfect balance of its tone is not matched by the film’s pacing, it remains an engaging enough experience to be a must-see. It’s unlikely that we’ll ever get a combination of political satire, the film “Starship Troopers” and an out-of-control episode of “Dr. Who” mashed up like this ever again — and even more unlikely it will ever be done with as much creativity, thoughtfulness and wit.
