Written & Directed By: Bong Joon Ho
Based on the novel “MICKEY 7” By: Edward Ashton
Cinematography: Darius Khondji
Editor: Jimmo Yang
Cast: Robert Pattinson, Naomi Ackie, Mark Ruffalo, Toni Collette, Steven Yeun, Anamaria Vartolomei, Holliday Grainger, Patsy Ferran, Thomas Turgoose, Steve Park
Adapted from the novel Mickey7 by Edward Ashton, an "expendable" - a disposable crew member on a space mission, selected for dangerous tasks because his body can be reprinted if he dies, with his memories largely intact. With one regeneration, though, things go very wrong.
At heart I try to be a film enthusiast but sometimes I have to not only say but share what’s On my mind. So if you choose to go on that path with me this time. I will share my feelings and observations when it comes to this cinematic release.
What gave me serenity watching the film might’ve been went with friends, who enjoyed it first time at a new theater that is more for film fans and also one of the few films unfortunately that I have seen in theaters in the last few months.
I want to, of course promote and encourage many to seek out auteurs. As many times as they can and any chance they get to make new works it feels like a Time to rejoice. Though some time to time get so full Of themselves or come across pretentious it’s hard for them to stick to the landing. Other times they crash or it makes it safe which is good but seems to lack a memorable experience we are used to from them. Which seems to be the case when it comes to this latest film.
The problem Is not with the film it’s with me I seem to ah e this old man disease of feeling like most movies are too long or bloated these days where it’s over two Hours at times feels too much to time.
Though With the current price of movies for your money you should get a show. Which even the younger me wanted. As I used to refuse to watch movies under 90 minutes in theaters feeling i wasn’t getting my money’s worth, with movie theater attendance down now. It’s like when you find a bar you like. Not too popular you can be there and not get bothered but what good is that if it doesn’t do business and has to close. Which is the current state of movie theaters and films.
As I prefer my entertainment on the movie screen. Especially if done by a skilled and talented artist. For the more popcorn entitled blockbuster even if it has the right amount of ridiculous to stay entertaining, but lazy brain dead movies. I can wait for on streaming but then you are not seeing the picture for how it was made. On smaller and smaller screens of course ItMs going to be mroe disappointing but then again indinMt think there is a right screen for a film such as RED ONE. At least for me present company excluded
This film gets that, a science fiction epic that has a wild imagination and visuals that for some reason. Feel mroe cinematic the. Epic but still feel ls Independent even with a billion in price tag of $118 million it still manages to feel a bit small Scale.
Now with that price tag it feels impossible
For it to turn a major profit especially as ItMs not a franchise film. Nor an awards bait film. So that it is going to have to survive on reputation and conversations. As it will always be seen financially as a failure maybe not a big one, but not something that inspired It’s Studio to trust another mroe auteur lead dream project
As nothing seems to work. At the box office currently continuations of ip are failing and originals are making some Profit but not enough that was initially spent on the project in the first place.
Which is why I am hoping this brings back the days of the mid-budget project. Rather then studios keep having big dick contests and wanting to be seen as dependable high rollers.
Sometimes it’s Just nice to gamble but not go crazy with the money. It’s ok to be a somewhat responsible gambler.
The film even has all the ingredients of a blockbuster film. You could easily make a toy tie in of all the different Mickey’s and try to encourage owning the whole set of them. Each different in whichever way they died. You could easily make a plush toy out of the alien creatures. Who are both scary and cute. Maybe a limited edition toy versions. Which could also help make some money back.
While one doesn’t mind the satire and the depictions against capitalism even if mroe broad here’s where as if they weren’t they would be too on the nose and made to be taken out. As that is not what the film is supposed to be about
Though For a simple story it feels very bloated
As usual Robert Pattinson does an excellent job in the roles. Not to mention his acting choices re inspired. I really wish more audience members would give him a chance to live past his TWILIGHT films and only see him as that restricted an actor. Though that might be the inspiration of why he tries so hard with each new role. You truly believe him in playing two separate characters for the most part throughout the second half of the film. Making them each distinct.
This seems more obvious a comedy with science fiction elements. So not as hard hitting as Director Bong Joon Ho’s previous films PARASITE or even SNOWPIERCER It’s as dark as those films can be but luckily not as bad or disappointing as OKJA but just as silly and cute at times.
What some might find as a problem with the film is that It’s just ok. Not great, not bad but jsit fine. Which should be good but now we treat good films as a high water mark as that has been the somewhat increasingly Disappointing quality in some films. Though when a master filmmaker or auteur comes out with something just ok. while It’s Average and better than most. It still feels like a disappointment as you expect mroe from them. It’s like a gifted student not doing their best but good enough to get by. Which hurts especially when noted director of photography Darius Khondji is on the job.
So while some might truly think this is exceptional. it might be more in name only. For director Bong Joon Ho, Rather then earned totally and feel like his is the best we have currently. Rather than holding them to a higher standard or a usual standard for them.
The Studio cut, tested higher, it was shorter and got ten points higher in test screenings. Though this is the directors cut as he had that in his contract. So the studio had no choice. This version is indulgent and seems wanting to stay and live in this world little longer.
Though released by a big studio this feels like the artistic version of a time Waster perfectly fine to watch and be entertained by. Though not much sticks with you after. Though at least it has imagination and ideas. That might not add up to to too much but at least you see them
Being creatively being used
A long winded way of saying the film is very wish washy. As it never seems to have . Any edges everything feels More Well Rounded and like it bumps along. So nothing takes a stand or really hits you.
As even the so called dangerous villains a played by mark Ruffalo and toni Colette in this film come Off more as Cartoons who seem descended from the evil characters in HUDSON HAWK or BRAZIL
Worst of all while every director has their common themes. Here doesn’t really try challenging himself. As he is staying in His comfort zone only truly noticed by those who have followed his work over the years. This is jsit his latest update
Where as one wants to be like everyone else at the magic show and watch in wonder and amazement, but I have to be one of the people saying I have seen you do these tricks before. You are just using a different presentation which is nice but at this point I am starting to see the strings a bit too much.
The film offers up satire that isn’t smart, but warns against gentrification and taking over Lands that are already occupied and wild. That message is all fine and good the film doesn’t introduce any new ideas and for A movie that wants us to take the audience in the material so seriously there’s not that much depth or ideas that are being expressed that we haven’t heard before which makes the whole endeavor feel kind of bloated and warmed over
There are way too many subplots and characters and I understand they want us to get to know the dens ends of the ship but you we could get to know them and not need entire backstory’s inside clots. It’s nice as it is trying to be an ensemble found but some of the minor characters don’t need that much shaping.
Such as the loan shark supply, that seems to go on forever and throughout the film, and I guess meant to add a little bit of suspense, but it ends up, going nowhere and takes up way too much time
Grade: B-
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