Movies
Mickey 17: An odyssey of clones, colonization, and the cost of being disposable
Robert Pattinson and Bong Joon-ho deliver a story where dying is not the end.
Looking at our world today, I wonder if we ever learned anything from all the science fiction that warned of planetary destruction, dystopias, and authoritarian governments taking power. It seems that Mickey 17, after almost a year’s delay, arrives at a time when it is more uncomfortable than ever...as long as you are willing to watch.
Mickey 17, the latest film from Oscar-winning director Bong Joon-ho (“Parasites”), presents us with a near future made up of familiar sci-fi pieces: the Earth is suffering from environmental chaos, the first space colonization missions are already a reality, and technology allows human cloning, albeit in a regulated way. In this world, Mickey Barnes (Robert Pattinson) is trying to escape his debts and the loan sharks who are after him. His only option is to offer himself as an “expendable” on a mission to the planet Niflheim.
Thanks to a cloning machine, a new version of Mickey is printed each time he dies, until he reaches his 17th iteration over the course of the four-year journey. When an exploration mission on the planet goes wrong and he is left for dead, he discovers that a new version of him has already taken his place, creating a series of problems for the Mickeys. This conflict serves as a preamble to the story, which also explores the colony on Niflheim, led by Kenneth Marshall (Mark Ruffalo), an egomaniacal politician obsessed with making the mission his greatest success.
Unlike other cloning stories, Mickey 17 does not delve into philosophical, moral, or religious questions about the humanity of clones. For this world, the only problem is when there are multiple versions, which means the total annihilation of the person. Bong Joon-ho, on the other hand, focuses on the role of the “expendable”: a being who is made to do dangerous work for humanity, from operating risky machinery to enduring radiation or serving as a guinea pig for biological weapons and vaccines. All of this without any recognition or respect...even when it is printed. Add to this the implications of how the colony is treated by a politician who is more concerned with his lifestyle, looking good on camera and making a good impression for... the organization and church behind him.
The pacing of Mickey 17 is brisk, and the first act uses a non-linear narrative to contextualize the world in which Mickey Barnes lives...and dies. Despite the time it takes to get to know the characters, it passes quickly because they are real and memorable. In addition, the movie has an IMAX version that offers a stunning visual experience.
Robert Pattinson masterfully brings Mickey to life, embodying a character haunted by memories of an accident in his youth and the many times he has died. Mickey is a coward who is abused by everyone, but on his journey he meets Nasha (Naomi Ackie), who becomes his companion in this process of dying and being reborn. In contrast, Mickey 18 has a distinct personality that allows Pattinson to demonstrate his acting range. On the other hand, Mark Ruffalo delivers an outstanding performance, making it easy for the audience to hate his character.
Mickey 17 is a work of science fiction that comes at just the right moment, like a joke told with precision. Although dark and depressing at times, it also contains doses of humor that relieve the tension. With a Robert Pattinson in a state of grace, proving he can play completely different roles, the movie proves that science fiction is still a powerful tool to question our reality.
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