Black and Global!!!! Soft Reboot of Sci-Fi Comedy Series Delivers Expansive, Fun But Long Past Due Romp!!!!
Review by Brandon Porter
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| They make this look good |
Story Description
The intergalactic enforcement agency known as the Men in Black have always maintained security on planet earth. But a threat unlike any they have faced before could burn their world to the ground. Eager to prove herself within the ranks of the organization, wet behind the ears recruit Agent M (Tessa Thompson) insist she be put on a high ranking assignment and show she belongs. She's given the chance to when she is transferred to the London bureau of the organization where she partners up with Agent H (Chris Hemsworth), one of the best agents in the bureau. However, the danger at hand proves to be more sinister than originally perceived when the threat is revealed to be a potential mole in the department. With no one to trust and time running out, Agent M and Agent H must put their best foot forward to save the planet and cleanse the filth in their own ranks.
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| Agent M and H survey the damage left by a hostile force. |
Critical and Financial Analysis
The Men in Black series has had a solid track record since it was adapted to film in the late 90s. The 1997 classic starring Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones is beloved by fans while it's sequels have been less than celebratory despite the 3rd installment being an improvement on the 2nd. Men in Black International thrust us back into that world for what is both a continuation and a soft reboot of the series. There was plenty of skepticism and worry about this film but pieces were in place to make this a fun summer adventure. From a critic and public perspective, it was subpar to say the least. The film received a punishingly low score of 24% rating on rotten tomatoes making it the lowest rated film in the series. Critics cited the film's biggest flaw as simply a franchise that is slowly but surely lost its appeal over the past decade and a half. The film did earn a slightly better but still below average score of 67% from the general audience. The movie's box office haul wasn't any better. The movie earned a lackluster total of $28.5 million and a global total of $102 million thanks to $73.7 million overseas. The underperformance of this film makes it the lowest grossing movie in the franchise and also emphasizes the common theme that has been constant in the early part of the summer movie season. With little appeal left in the series, one had to think the time has come for this science fiction action comedy series to finally be retired while it still has some semblance of relevance left.
Film Review
Ever since Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones donned the suit and shades in the 1997 classic, it seems the bar for the franchise was set extremely high given how much the movie felt like lightning in a bottle. The 2nd film is considered below average while the 3rd film is an improvement but still not up to par. 7 years later, director F. Gary Gray and Thor Ragnarok duo Tessa Thompson and Chris Hemsworth take us back to that universe for another globe-trotting alien adventure. With so much riding on whether the appeal of the franchise is still there, MIB: International had a lot prove heading into release. After watching the film in its entirety, I am both pleased and saddened about this entry. On the one hand, the movie stands out among the rest by being far more expansive in its mythology but the interest and desire to explore it doesn't seem to be there anymore. That still didn't stop the movie from being fun and entertaining when it can. Most of that credit goes to the cast especially Tessa Thompson and Chris Hemsworth. Both of them carry the film with wit and banter that keep things interesting and engaging enough to make the trip worth taking. Thompson is quirky and plays up the awkward humor well while Hemsworth steals the show thanks to his massively improved comedic chops. Liam Neeson and Emma Thompson do good but are pushed to the side to give the two leads room to breathe. One of the things I love the most is the film's expansion of its universe. Taking the story out of New York allowed for this to be a more expansive film and allow for a deeper look at the alien world. However, the movies biggest strength is also tied to its biggest weakness. The movie going this route feels very much a case of too little too late. As much as I loved seeing the film open up the world it did it at the worst time when the film is trying to hold relevance in the competitive film circuit and doing this without one of the franchise's most notable cast members. It's unfortunate to rely on old cast members to help boost appeal but its the reality of the situation no matter how much the new actors try and at times succeed in carrying the load. Overall, MIB International should be commended for expanding the story to different parts of its universe but the dwindling appeal in the series seems to have derailed its staying power despite the valiant effort put forth by a talented duo.
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| Start low finish high |
Film Review
Ever since Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones donned the suit and shades in the 1997 classic, it seems the bar for the franchise was set extremely high given how much the movie felt like lightning in a bottle. The 2nd film is considered below average while the 3rd film is an improvement but still not up to par. 7 years later, director F. Gary Gray and Thor Ragnarok duo Tessa Thompson and Chris Hemsworth take us back to that universe for another globe-trotting alien adventure. With so much riding on whether the appeal of the franchise is still there, MIB: International had a lot prove heading into release. After watching the film in its entirety, I am both pleased and saddened about this entry. On the one hand, the movie stands out among the rest by being far more expansive in its mythology but the interest and desire to explore it doesn't seem to be there anymore. That still didn't stop the movie from being fun and entertaining when it can. Most of that credit goes to the cast especially Tessa Thompson and Chris Hemsworth. Both of them carry the film with wit and banter that keep things interesting and engaging enough to make the trip worth taking. Thompson is quirky and plays up the awkward humor well while Hemsworth steals the show thanks to his massively improved comedic chops. Liam Neeson and Emma Thompson do good but are pushed to the side to give the two leads room to breathe. One of the things I love the most is the film's expansion of its universe. Taking the story out of New York allowed for this to be a more expansive film and allow for a deeper look at the alien world. However, the movies biggest strength is also tied to its biggest weakness. The movie going this route feels very much a case of too little too late. As much as I loved seeing the film open up the world it did it at the worst time when the film is trying to hold relevance in the competitive film circuit and doing this without one of the franchise's most notable cast members. It's unfortunate to rely on old cast members to help boost appeal but its the reality of the situation no matter how much the new actors try and at times succeed in carrying the load. Overall, MIB International should be commended for expanding the story to different parts of its universe but the dwindling appeal in the series seems to have derailed its staying power despite the valiant effort put forth by a talented duo.
Rating and Final Thoughts
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| A fun and expansive Sci-Fi romp that delivers in a solid amount of aspects in terms of action and comedy but feels the burden of a series way past its prime. |
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| Imagine this in the film. Here's hoping J comes back. |
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