We love science fiction and we love off-the-wall comedy. It’s for that specific reason that Mickey 17 caught our eyes a while ago back when it was in theaters. Now the film is readily available to view for all parties and people on HBO Max. We wanted to share our Conner’s Critique of the film to see if you should jump into it for your next movie night.
As always, we break down our reviews by story, acting, and overall. Let’s jump on into it.
Story 9/10
Set in a dystopian future in which Earth has so many problems, and everyone wants to get off the planet. Our main character, Mickey Barnes and his friend Timo attempts to find their place on Earth but when their business venture fails and Mickey and Timo end up owing a psychotic loan shark, they’re only chance left is to flee Earth to avoid having to repay it.
While Timo is able to get a job with his recent pilot’s license, Mickey unfortunately has no education skills or knowledge that would grant him a position on the same or any other vessel leaving the planet. That was until he found the expendable job position, that no one had taken. In this world cloning exists, but due to one of the forefathers of the technology being a psychotic murderer who cloned himself to get away with it, the science is currently banned. Anyone with multiple versions of themselves in existence in the world are terminated, completely.
However, when it comes to space travel, the inclusion of an expendable is so valuable that an exception is made, as long as it is only one person on the ship. Expendable people then sacrifice their body countless times for the benefit of the collective ship.
Through the journey, Mickey finds a place on this ship. He finds friends, he finds love, and is instrumental and not only finding antibodies to the viruses on the new planet, but also in finding a way to cohabitate on a planet that is already filled with an intelligent life.
Acting 10/10
Robert Pattinson does an amazing job in this film, playing all the different forms of Mickey and their personality differences is a testament to his ability to act. It’s so impressive how with just simple body language he can make Mickey 17 and Mickey 18 look so different. Whether it be is slouching, facial expressions, or even if they used a little bit of makeup to accentuate and decentuate features, they really are two entirely different characters in the way they act, not only with themselves, but also others.
Mark Ruffalo and Toni Collette also does a very good job playing buffoon-like-enemies who are pretty much the main foil for not just Mickey but the entire crew of the expedition. I don’t know what they did specifically to Mark Ruffalo’s face, but how fat his cheeks are and how his mouth always seems to just be open is such a creative and interesting choice for his character.
Naomi Ackie and Anamaria Vartolomei do an amazing job playing potential and actual love interest for Mickey throughout the movie. At some times you feel like Naomie Ackie is set to be a villain, but it is only her love and determination for what’s best for Mickey that makes her act that way. By the end of the day their relationship is actually one of love and commitment.
There’s one more person I wanted to talk about in this acting section because I feel like she stole the scene every time she was in the shot. Patsy Ferran who plays one of the scientists who tortures and also admires Mickey does a great job of being not only likable but memorable throughout all of her scenes.
Overall 9.5/10
If you were a fan of the movie Moon, this film really feels as if it’s the logical next step for society that has learned cloning technology. However, the one thing I will say between this film and Moon is that while Moon is an incredibly serious science fiction with minor bits of comedy, thanks to the acting of Sam Rockwell, this film is a straight up comedy sci-fi with moments of sincere slapstick.
The movie does a really good job, not debasing itself, but not taking itself too seriously as it makes its way through its runtime.
Conner’s Final Thoughts
It’s presented in the film as if Mickey has the memories of his prior deaths. Every one of them, but Mickey several times dies and the body is gone and lost. So how would he have any specific memories of those deaths if they can’t scan his brain and get the memories. I know it’s a bit nitpicky but if the movie wants to push to it’s concepts on me, they have to be able to explain how they do it.
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