The “Mickey 17” Reviews Are In

The first reviews are out for “Parasite” director Bong Joon Ho’s new film, the Robert Pattinson-led sci-fi feature “Mickey 17,” and the word is pretty good though also one of Bong’s weakest to date.

With nearly two dozen reviews counted, the film sits at an 81% (8.0/10) on Rotten Tomatoes with plenty of praise for it being an oddball sci-fi feature. The few criticisms have focused on the film’s tone, claiming it’s not entirely sure what it wants to be.

The story follows Mickey (Robert Pattinson), a disposable employee sent to colonise an ice world. Under his contract with the company, anytime he dies his body is simply reprinted – albeit with his memories still preserved. A problem soon happens when, in his 17th incarnation, he comes home to find his 18th incarnation in bed – leading to all sorts of problems of having two versions of him at once.

Here’s a sampling of the reviews:

“By showing that even the most resigned of sci-fi doormats can decide to stand up for himself, Mickey 17 ends on a more hopeful note than the rest of Bong’s films. It’s more hopeful than we currently deserve.” – Alison Willmore, Vulture

“While a game-for-anything dual-role performance from Robert Pattinson keeps the English-language feature entertaining enough, the satirical thrust feels heavy-handed.” – David Rooney, THR

“I’d argue that ‘Mickey 17,’ the best and most cohesive of Bong’s English-language films, offers such exciting proof of Bong’s genius precisely because it feels like such a clear amalgamation of his previous two, [Snowpiercer and Okja].” – David Ehrlich, Indiewire

“For those who can identify with standing in line just to stop the world and get off, this is the movie for you, a death defying and dizzying wild ride.” – Pete Hammond, Deadline

“A teen-idol turned auteur-darling turned action-lead, Pattinson could easily call comedy his true calling, here delivering an elastic physical performance as dexterous as Jim Carrey in his prime.” – Ben Croll, The Wrap

“Like Mickey himself, it’s goofy and a little inconsistent, but it’s also funny, thoughtful and more plausible than we might like. A charming space oddity for these unusual times.” – Helen O’Hara, Empire

“Mickey 17 may lack some of the political bite of his previous work, but it’s unquestionably tremendous fun: a big, strange spectacle that’s unlike most blockbuster cinema out there.” – Lou Thomas, Time Out

“This is Pattinson at his best, holding his movie star charisma hostage in order to pursue loveable weirdos in all kinds of shades. He’s fully liberated here, consistently finding the most unexpected and delightful ways to deliver a line.” – Clarisse Loughrey, Independent

“Alas, that’s not the register where Bong’s vision works best, and though it earns points for sheer oddity, too much of Mickey 17 turns out to be sloppy, shrill and preachy.” – Peter DeBruge, Variety

Toni Collette, Mark Ruffalo, Steven Yeun and Naomi Ackie co-star in the film based on Edward Ashton’s novel. It marks Bong’s first feature since “Parasite” became the first non-English language movie to win best picture at the Oscars.

“Mickey 17” opens in cinemas on March 7th.

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