TL;DR
Men in Black: International aims to reboot the franchise with Tessa Thompson as Agent M and Chris Hemsworth as Agent H, investigating corruption within the MIB organization. While the UHD presentation is visually stunning with excellent special effects and good supplementary content, the film struggles to recapture the magic of the originals. The chemistry between the leads isn't as strong, the plot is predictable, and it lacks the charm and depth of the earlier films, feeling more like a lighthearted adventure. Discover if the breathtaking visuals and bonus features make up for the narrative shortcomings!
Men In Black, like many contemporary films, originated as a comic book. In Sweden, few were familiar with Lowell Cunningham’s comic series, which centers on the clandestine activities of black-suited agents managing, and occasionally combating, extraterrestrial entities. The inaugural film premiered in 1997, starring Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones. 2002 saw the release of Men in Black II, a film impacted by the events of September 11, 2001, as the original climax was to be staged at the Twin Towers. The sequel was met with disappointment, leading to a decade-long hiatus for the Men in Black franchise. In 2012, the third film debuted, representing an improvement over its predecessor, yet failing to inspire further installments. The fourth film, Men in Black: International, arrived in 2019 as a “soft reboot,” introducing new leads within the established universe. Let’s delve into a review of this latest entry.
As a child, Molly (Tessa Thompson) encounters a small alien, aiding its escape. Subsequently, she witnesses mysterious individuals in black suits erasing her parents’ memories. Driven by this experience, she dedicates nearly two decades to uncovering their identity and purpose. Eventually succeeding in joining the organization, she adopts the moniker Agent M. Her initial assignment takes her to London, where she partners with the somewhat arrogant Agent H (Chris Hemsworth) amidst a series of unusual occurrences. Together, they uncover internal corruption within the London branch, suggesting the presence of a mole within Men In Black.
Men In Black: International marks the first film in the series not directed by Barry Sonnenfeld; F. Gary Gray (Fast & Furious 8, The Italian Job) assumes directorial duties. This transition highlights one of the film’s core challenges. Barry Sonnenfeld possessed a clear understanding of the essence of Men In Black, complemented by the compelling chemistry between Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones. The original films thrived on the dynamic between two contrasting personalities forced to collaborate, initially experiencing friction before developing mutual respect and affection.
Casting Chris Hemsworth and Tessa Thompson—known for their roles as Thor and Valkyrie—results in a less compelling dynamic. Agent H comes across as a flawed agent, exhibiting arrogance and bullying tendencies, relying on Hemsworth’s established persona to maintain audience appeal. While Tessa Thompson brings charm and charisma to the lead role, her performance lacks a certain gravitas. Tommy Lee Jones’s success in the original Men In Black films (and throughout his career) stemmed from his serious portrayal of the role, which amplified the humor. In contrast, this iteration feels more like a lighthearted exercise. A scene showcasing an array of weapons emerging from a vehicle culminates in the characters rigidly firing ahead, reminiscent of the Men In Black ride at Universal Studios. Furthermore, the script suffers from a predictable narrative, making the central twist readily apparent well in advance.
The UHD release presents a high-quality visual experience. The special effects are rendered impeccably, surpassing even those in Aquaman in terms of clarity and detail in UHD. The Dolby Atmos audio mix, however, exhibited a slightly lower volume level than anticipated, requiring an 8db increase on the amplifier to achieve the desired intensity. Notably, the release includes a substantial amount of supplemental content, featuring entertaining faux commercials with Frank the dog, alongside insightful documentaries and engaging deleted scenes.
In conclusion, while Men In Black: International surpasses Men In Black II in several aspects, it lacks the heart and warmth present in its predecessors. Nevertheless, the exceptional UHD presentation warrants a recommendation.
