The latest movie from writer/director Bong Joon Ho continues his skill at creating an unusual, unique story with style, substance and humor. Robert Pattinson plays the title character, a human who volunteers to be an “expendable.” He’s sent to test the environment on a hostile planet and when he dies, they just print out a new version. New body, but his memories remain. It’s as weirdly wacky as it sounds and Pattinson creates an interesting, slightly quirky person. For political satire, toss in the new world’s rulers; boisterous authoritarian Mark Ruffalo (a cross between Donald Trump and Jesse Gemstone) and his fawning wife (Toni Collette, deliciously sultry). The pace does bog down a bit in the last half, but it’s still continually interesting. In his unique style, Bong has balanced socioeconomic commentary along with sci-fi fun for this distinctive and compelling film. 
(4 / 5)
