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In this episode of The Cinematic Schematic, we review Mickey 17, the long-awaited follow-up to Parasite from writer/director Bong Joon-ho.
At the 2020 Oscars, Parasite won 4 Oscars, including Best Picture, Director, Original Screenplay, and International Film. It also received nominations for the Best Film Editing and Production Design categories. Since then, the cinema mastermind has quietly worked on his new picture, Mickey 17.
The film follows Mickey Barnes (and his 18 duplicates played by Robert Pattinson), an “Expendable” or passenger whose body reprints after each death on a space voyage to colonize “Niflheim.” His mission is to take on risks other passengers won’t. Things go awry when he’s proclaimed dead prematurely, and comes face to face with his successor, Mickey 18. The film also stars Naomi Ackie as Nasha Barridge, Steven Yuen as Timo, Mark Ruffalo as Kenneth Marshall, and Toni Collette as Ylfa.
Between the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2023 WGA and SAG-Aftra strikes, Mickey 17’s release date has moved several times. Mickey 17 was originally slated to release on March 29, 2024, before delaying to January 31, 2025, and then again until April 18, 2025, before finally swapping its release date with Sinners for a March 7th release. The film starring 17 different Robert Pattinson has had quite the journey to the big screen.
Has the extended voyage to the big screen been worth the wait? Tune into this week’s review discussion to discover if Joon-ho has assembled another masterpiece.
Meet this week’s passengers.
Hosts Caleb Masters and Laron Chapman are rejoined by Tulsa Film Collective co-founder Charles Elmore and The Cinematropolis contributor Daniel Bokemper.
Left to Right: Laron Chapman, Charles Elmore, Daniel Bokemper, and Caleb Masters
Ice-Breaker Discussion – 2025 Oscar Awards Reactions
Time Stamp: 4:12
To kick things off, we look at the results of the 97th Academy Awards. A few of the highlights we discuss include:
- The winner was Anora who took home 5 awards including Best Original Screenplay, Editing, Directing, Actress, and Picture (5)
- The Brutalist came in second with 3 awards including Adrien Brody for Actor, Cinematography, and Score
- Emilia Perez took home 2 awards including Best Original Song and Supporting Actress for Zoey Saldana
- Dune: Part Two won 2 awards for Best Sound and Best Visual Effects
- Conclave won Best Adapted Screenplay
- No Other Land won Best Documentary
- The Substance won Best Hair and Make-Up
- Flow won Best Animated Feature
Mickey 17 Spoiler-Free Review
Time Stamp: 18:50
In our spoiler-free review, we cover:
- Our overall thoughts on the film
- How Mickey 17 compares to the rest of Bong Joon-ho’s filmography
- Letter grade verdicts
- Alternate media recommendations
Spoiler-Filled Analysis
Time Stamp: 1:00:00
In our spoiler-filled analysis, we get into the thick of Mickey 17‘s brazen approach to satire. We also discuss:
- When do actor impressions ruin satire?
- How Mickey 17 explores life and death
- How the timing of release impacts how a film is received
Special Guests
Charles Elmore
Co-founder of the Tulsa Film Collective
Daniel Bokemper
Contributor at The Cinematropolis and Flick Attack
About Mickey 17
According to IMDB, Mickey 17 is described as:
Mickey 17, known as an “expendable,” goes on a dangerous journey to colonize an ice planet.
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