Men in Black: International (2019) Movie Review

MEN IN BLACK: INTERNATIONAL (2019) MOVIE REVIEW

Since 1997, the Men in Black have been keeping the world safe from extraterrestrial threats in a charming and action-filled manner. Three films later MIB has been through some hits like Men In Black 3 and unfortunate misses like the second installment. Despite some highs and lows for the franchise, Men in Black: International offers a genuine connection between our two leads alongside a predictable, by-the-books plot. 

Molly (Tessa Thompson) has been addicted to extra-terrestrial beings all her life after meeting one when she was a young kid as Men In Black agents did not neuralize her. Now she is continually on the hunt for life among the stars and through this manages to find their agency. Finding their agency proves to be both a curse and blessing as although they threaten to neuralize her memory, Agent O (Emma Thompson) instead puts her on a probation job teaming with one of MIB London's best agents, Agent H (Chris Hemsworth). While their partnership doesn't start off smooth, mutual circumstances manage to convince them otherwise after learning there is a mole in the Men In Black. A story which we've all heard before though does prove to be a sound one as the possibilities on who the mole could be is welcome and while it is fairly obvious who it ends up being, the simple plot device is meant to take a back seat to the main reason this movie exists. The humour and chemistry between Hemsworth and Thompson.  

As previously stated, the driving force behind this fourth installment to the franchise is the chemistry between our two leads and thankfully is easily the best part of the movie. Chris Hemsworth despite starting off as a pretty boy stereotype soon evolves into a much deeper and meaningful character. Well...for a Men In Black movie. Opposite him we have Tessa Thompson’s character of Agent M who plays a very by the books kind of person and manages to be an easy standout in this film and was my favourite character in spades. Their personalities compliment each other near perfectly and have deep character building moments for both ends of the spectrum whether it be H's personality change in recent years or M's choice of work over love. Either way, both work very well. Halfway through the film we are introduced to our comic relief of the movie Pawny (Kumali Nanjiani) whom at first was shoehorned into the story for no reason other than comedic affect and while that remains true for the remainder, Pawny's inclusion surprisingly brings a much needed light hearted tone of comedy and plays off the others very well. Kumali's delivery and timing makes him not perfect for the role but instead sound which is never a bad thing. 

Overall Men In Black: International was a movie. There's no denying that. With a predictable plot and OK comedy, this latest installment proves that while it was nice to see a new Men In Black film, it also says a lot about the franchise as a whole and shows why the series needs to come to it's conclusion. Although not a bad film, it was a forgettable one. Which is worse depending on how you interpret it. 

OVERALL

6 / 10