Mickey 17 (2025) - Just Another Face in the Clone

Rating: ★★★☆☆ (3/5 Stars)

Released 03-07-2025

Watched 03-08-2025

Reviewed 04-03-2025

Watched in the theater Using Cinemark Movie Club

Mickey 17 lands with an intriguing sci-fi premise that initially captures your attention but ultimately struggles to sustain it. Set against a futuristic backdrop, the film revolves around Mickey Barnes, an "Expendable" who undergoes continuous cloning, specifically designed to handle dangerous tasks no one else will undertake. Each time Mickey dies, a new version emerges with memories and personality fully intact. Although this idea feels compelling in theory, its execution unfortunately doesn't match the ambitious concept.

Robert Pattinson, portraying Mickey, gives a decent yet hardly groundbreaking performance. Pattinson’s charisma and presence carry much of the film, providing an interesting depiction of a character trapped in an endless cycle of life, death, and rebirth. However, his portrayal never truly explores the psychological complexities deeply enough to fully resonate. The supporting performances from Naomi Ackie and Steven Yeun are competent but similarly unremarkable. Unfortunately, the characters remain underdeveloped, which limits emotional engagement with the story.

The movie’s narrative itself is enjoyable enough but overly predictable. Several plot twists intended to surprise viewers can be easily anticipated, particularly by those familiar with standard science fiction tropes. Director Bong Joon-ho effectively crafts visually appealing scenes and convincing world-building, yet the film relies too heavily on familiar scenarios, lacking genuine originality.

Visually, Mickey 17 successfully creates an immersive environment, showcasing futuristic technology and impressive alien landscapes. The detailed production design is commendable, demonstrating careful attention to the film’s setting. Even when the story begins to feel flat, the strong visual elements maintain viewer interest, elevating scenes that might otherwise feel tedious.

Despite these flaws, Mickey 17 remains entertaining enough to justify at least one viewing. It doesn’t rise to the heights of memorable sci-fi classics, nor does it offer anything particularly fresh. However, as casual entertainment, it provides solid enjoyment, presenting intriguing philosophical questions about identity and humanity, even if only on a superficial level.

Overall, Mickey 17 is an entertaining but ultimately forgettable addition to the sci-fi genre. It may not impress viewers significantly or inspire repeated watches, but it’s certainly worth checking out once, especially for those who enjoy futuristic stories dealing with morality, identity, and existential questions.