I’ve been excited about Mickey 17 for years, and the doubts surrounding the delays never caused my anticipation to falter. I was thrilled in 2019 to see Bong Joon-ho finally get due consideration from the Academy Awards for Parasite, having been a fan of his work for years prior. I consider Memories of Murder to be one of my favorite movies ever and the best of Bong Joon-ho’s filmography. When Mickey 17 was announced, bringing one of the most exciting young movie stars together with a beloved filmmaker, I couldn’t be more delighted.
Despite being the follow-up film from a Best Picture winner, Mickey 17’s journey to fruition hasn’t been smooth. Production and shooting for the film began in late 2022, and it was completed in January 2023, with an intended release date of early 2024. However, due to the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes of 2023, the Mickey 17 was delayed indefinitely and taken off Warner Bros.’s release schedule. It was moved back to January 2025, becoming one of 2025’s most anticipated movies, then pushed back again until March. Now, early reviews are celebrating it with an 88% Rotten Tomatoes score.
Mickey 17’s Release Date Delays Created Some Worry, But Not For Me
Four Release Date Delays Didn’t Deter Me From Wanting To See This Movie
Let’s be honest: filming delays and behind-the-scenes problems can be an enormous detriment to a movie. The first movie that comes to mind as a long-delayed disaster is The Flash, one that I was really excited about and unfortunately let down by. Marvel’s new Blade movie seems to be suffering a similar fate, and I’m still hoping that one will turn out well. When it came to Mickey 17, however, I was never too worried, even when the cloud of doubt began to circle around on social media.
It’s important to note that while the movie was delayed multiple times, it wasn’t because of behind-the-scenes issues. The 2023 strikes caused problems for countless projects, and I’d much rather Bong Joon-ho take the time to get his project right. Warner Bros. adjusting the schedule was also entirely out of his control and doesn’t seem reflective of the movie itself. It’s frustrating to have to wait for an exciting movie, but the announcements regarding Mickey 17 weren’t inherently red flags.
Mickey 17’s Early Reactions Confirm Bong Joon-ho’s Movie Was Never Worth Worrying About
88% Is Very Solid For A Sci-Fi Dark Comedy Movie
Mickey 17’s cast alone would be enough to bring me to theaters, even if it wasn’t being directed by one of the greatest contemporary filmmakers. But this is Bong Joon-ho we’re talking about. I wasn’t as thrilled about his previous Hollywood co-collaborations and much prefer the films he’s made in his home country, but I still trust him to deliver something that’s at least entertaining and an enjoyable movie theater experience, if not a masterpiece. Mickey 17’s early reviews show it’s not the best in his career, but they still show promise.
|
Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
|---|---|---|
|
Memories of Murder |
95% |
92% |
|
Parasite |
99% |
96% |
|
Mickey 17 |
88% |
N/A |
Above is a chart of Mickey 17’s RT score compared to what I think are his two strongest films. Given the seemingly comedic tone of Mickey 17, I had a feeling it wouldn’t be the most astounding project in his career, but 88% is still incredible. I’m willing to take this as confirmation that Mickey 17 will live up, in some capacity, to the post-Parasite hype.
Mickey 17 Can Fully Deliver On Its Exciting Promises Now
I’m Excited For Quality Movie Theater Entertainment
Image via Warner Bros.
Mickey 17 probably isn’t going to win Best Picture as Parasite did. Of course, I can’t say that for certain, but it’s appropriately doubtful. That said, there’s something even more impressive that can be accomplished with this film, which is for a filmmaker known primarily for his auteur foreign works to find success in a Hollywood blockbuster. Robert Pattinson is a big star, and with limited competition in March 2025, Mickey 17’s positive reception could result in a surprise hit. Mickey 17’s budget was reportedly around $150 million, a steep hill to climb but not insurmountable.
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Robert Patterson reveals his distinct accent for Bong Joon-ho’s Mickey 17 were based on characters from an award-winning Coen brothers 1996 film.
Most importantly, movie audiences are going to get a smart, entertaining film from a talented director, talented cast, and obviously talented production team. I’m thrilled about Mickey 17’s reviews and that we’re just a couple of weeks away from finally being able to enjoy this movie. Movies like Everything Everywhere All at Once and Sorry to Bother You have shown the potential of crossing science fiction and dark comedy, and I can’t wait to see what Bong Joon-ho brings to the table.
This story originally appeared on Screenrant
