Review Rating:
While not altogether bad, ‘Men in Black: International’ just feels a little bit stale.
If you were hoping that you and your little ones could trot along into an amazing new entry into the ‘Men In Black’ franchise – then think again, because there is nothing innovative or new here. Having said that, if your cinema-goers haven’t yet seen the originals, then this will certainly entertain them no end. After you head home from the cinema, make sure to educate them on how great the Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones franchise was (and remember to keep the titles for a family-viewing night further down the line).
In ‘Men In Black: International’, Tessa Thompson and Chris Hemsworth join forces once again (having already played opposite each-other in Marvel’s superhero franchises ‘Thor: Ragnarok’ and ‘Avengers: Endgame’) to rid the world of a fresh evil. Their adventure takes them international, as the title suggests, and the pair hit such locations as London, Paris, and Morocco.
While younger members of the family might find this new ‘Men In Black’ offering a fun adventure, parents might wish they were sat at home watching Smith and Jones originals.
The main pair, while not as iconic as Smith and Jones, take a decent stab at stepping into their big boots, and do the best that they can to show a different side to the international organisation. Thompson in particular offers much more memorable moments than Hemsworth does, and shows that not everyone at MIB has to be a man to be a bad-ass. Emma Thompson also makes a brief appearance, reprising her role from ‘Men In Black 3’ as Agent O; and Liam Neeson also pops up as Agent High T.
While not altogether bad, ‘Men in Black: International’ just feels a little bit stale. Had it been released 10 years ago, then it might have felt mildly fresher. Unfortunately, the action and the comedy, which the franchise has previously shown as two of its strengths, fall quite flat. And that’s especially when you consider the other monumental films hitting screens this summer, including ‘Aladdin’, ‘Spider-Man’, and the upcoming ‘Artemis Fowl’. When compared to these other blockbusters this summer, we’d recommend heading to these instead for a more original cinema experience.
While younger members of the family might find this new ‘Men In Black’ offering a fun adventure, parents might wish they were sat at home watching Smith and Jones originals.