Delving into Edward Ashton's sci-fi novel "Mickey7" and Bong Joon-ho's film adaptation "Mickey 17," this episode presents a rare case where the movie might outshine its source material.
The story follows an "expendable" human—Mickey—whose job is to die repeatedly for the colony's benefit on the ice planet Niflheim. Each death results in a new Mickey with the previous memories, until an unexpected survival creates two simultaneous Mickeys, something strictly forbidden in their world.
Director Bong Joon-ho made fascinating changes that transform the narrative. By increasing Mickey's iterations from 7 to 17, the film creates more opportunities for character development. Robert Pattinson delivers a standout performance, portraying distinct personalities for different Mickey versions—something absent in the book where the duplicates are virtually identical.
The native "creepers" evolve from somewhat menacing creatures in the novel to largely peaceful beings in the film, creating a nuanced exploration of colonial encounters. Supporting characters receive enriched story lines, with Mark Ruffalo and Toni Collette bringing theatrical flair to their roles as the colony's leaders.
Where the book occasionally gets bogged down in technical explanations and flashbacks, the film maintains a streamlined focus on questions about identity, sacrifice, and what makes us human. Bong's visual storytelling eliminates the need for extensive exposition while preserving the philosophical core.
Whether you're a sci-fi enthusiast or someone who typically avoids the genre, "Mickey 17" offers accessible storytelling with emotional depth. After comparing both versions, I gave the film 3.5 stars and the book 3 stars, making this a clear victory for the adaptation.
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