Note: This Mickey 17 review contains plot spoilers for both the film and the source material Mickey7 by Edward Ashton.
Bong Joon Ho’s reimagining of Edward Ashton’s novel is finally out. With more than one release date change (one came about because of the Hollywood strikes, and another from a swap with fellow WB film, Ryan Coogler’s Sinners), this has been a long time coming. It was well worth the wait.
Mickey 17 maintains many of the foundational concepts of Ashton’s novel. Namely, the central concept of Expendables. When Mickey Barnes becomes desperate to escape his home planet, he signs up to be an Expendable on an upcoming space mission to set up a colony on an ice planet, Niflheim.
An Expendable has their knowledge and memories saved to a hard drive so that if and when they die, it can be reuploaded to a new version of themselves that is reprinted. Dying can happen frequently on these missions, as Expendables are tasked with the most dangerous jobs the mission requires.
The book follows 7 and 8, while the film introduces viewers to 17 and 18.
A Dose of Comedy
One of the most immediate differences between the film and the novel is Bong Joon Ho’s signature sense of dark humour. Even when he addresses the darkest exploitative facets of capitalism, he has found a way to throw in something humorous. In Snowpiercer, a violent battle was interrupted by the need of the train’s passengers to do a countdown and celebrate the New Year (it’s funnier than it sounds).
Within Mickey 17, Robert Pattinson is one of the most consistent sources of comedy. In the original novel, the two versions of Mickey that the readers follow aren’t significantly different. 7 and 8 are largely similar in their overall demeanour. It isn’t until the very end when their ideological rift becomes particularly apparent. (8 is willing to commit genocide against the creepers for their own survival, whereas 7 is not).
Robert Pattinson plays 17 and 18 with significantly different personalities. 17 is more meek and timid, whereas 18 is violent and aggressive. The choices he makes as an actor for how to bring each version to life makes for a number of memorable, humorous moments.
Making the film more comedic ensures that a wider portion of the general audience is entertained. Despite the material being highly layered with sociopolitical commentary, even the most superficial examination can leave viewers satisfied.
Mickey 17 is a Love Story
Mickey and Nasha were always the endgame couple. Even in Ashton’s novel, the story ends with them still together, in love, and hopeful about what the future holds. However, there were other factors that took priority in the narrative. Oftentimes, the reader’s POV followed 7’s desperate hunger. After a series of mishaps, Mickey’s daily caloric ration was lowered. The situation proves particularly dire, as 7 and 8 must split those calories to keep from being discovered as Multiples (Expendables that exist at the same time).
In the film, however, Mickey and Nasha’s love story is pushed to the forefront. They adore each other wholeheartedly. Their relationship is full of laughter, passion, and uplifting one another. Mickey lovingly dotes on Nasha and helps her make sure her uniform is perfectly pristine before a big day. Nasha attacks crew members that bully Mickey, and cradle him when he’s in pain from a horrific medical experiment.
Robert Pattinson and Naomie Ackie have the perfect chemistry to elevate this romance to an immaculate standard.
These Villains Feel Familiar
Anyone familiar with Bong Joon Ho’s Snowpiercer should remember Tilda Swinton’s Minister Mason. As a cartoonishly evil villain, she issued orders of brutal violence against members of the tail section. Conversely, she manages to bring memorable comedic moments.
In Mickey 17, we have a pair of equally heinous and hilarious villains. Mark Ruffalo and Toni Collette play Kenneth and Ylfa Marshall. In the book, Commander Marshall was the lone antagonist of the story. He carried himself as a gruff but no less violent colonial military type. His film counterpart is a failed politician, turned cult of personality with a televangelist empire alongside his wife.
Ruffalo and Collette have fully thrown themselves into the camp comedic delivery of their characters. These Marshalls feel like every fascist politician cheerleading colonialism, and every televangelist that got exposed for doing something opposite of the high moral standards they preach.
Whether they’re bursting into religious songs over dinner or brutalising the Indigenous population of Niflheim, they command attention for every second of their screen time.
The Heart of Mickey 17
What makes Mickey 17 so gripping and lasting as a work of art is its deep capacity for empathy. It is a love letter to every person that bravely stands against colonial violence. Whether you’re here to see the spectacle of a science fiction blockbuster, or a love story that survives over a dozen deaths, there is something for virtually every type of viewer.
Bong Joon Ho’s storytelling is consistently rich with biting commentary on systemic injustices that pertain to the real world the audience lives in. Yet somehow, with Mickey 17, he has traded his usually sombre ending for a message of hope for the audience. If they band together, and are willing to fight for a more empathetic way of life, everyone will be better off.
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