Today I saw Men In Black International

[Gingerbread Demon]

Men In Black International

First off my rating. 6.5/10

It wasn't ground breaking, it was by the numbers, but it was fun for what it was.

OK I went into this with almost no expectations. First off the theatre I was at was not exactly jam packed we had like 4 people today and one girl who had a seat far away all on her own came sat with me then hopped up and moved across the other isle then hopped back to the row where I was sitting. Amusing musical chairs fun. People are strange.

Anyway to start with the movie was fun for the most part but it really didn't' cover any new ground or anything we have not seen before in a Men In Black movie, maybe except for the way the new agent joins the team. She tracks down the MIB via a computer and her cellphone and what I assume are "mad hacking skills" or something like that for want of a better word. She's cool and fun and Tessa Thompson does her character of Agent M well. She made the movie fun for me. Chris Hemsworth was Agent H the senior agent looking after the probationary Agent M and he did a good job in his role.

The story basically starts with her finding the MIB headquarters in New York and then winning her way into probationary status with the agency, and an assignment which covers Paris and London where the usual alien funny business is going on. They have to babysit some alien diplomat in a nightclub and then he's attacked but hands something to M because he trusts her rather then agent H who he has known longer because he feels a little off about him, in that he feels he has changed. So M looks after the thing he gave her which is the movies Maguffin. Yay!!!

Much fun happens and much product placement in the form of a very lovely Lexus which is used in the movie as their vehicle, and before the movie we had a very lovely 2 minute ad for the same car featuring our actors and stuff.

I really can't say I was over the moon with this movie,. But neither was I that let down. I had a good time with it and for the most part I did enjoy it. It did feel a little long though and in some parts just felt like it needed to hurry up a bit.

Things I did like:
I did like the ordinary looking subway train she gets on, and then it morphs into this super fancy MIB style train with chairs and seatbelts. The train was cool and also their fancy car was cool but they had a flying car in every MIB movie so while cool it wasn't special. I liked the humour of M and how she was played. She was fun. Chis Hemsworth's H was a kind of slacker as he liked to doze off on the job and didn't seem to take his job at MIB and that seemed like something different that they didn't try in the other movies. I liked it.

Things I didn't like:
I still find the whole “ooh we gotta keep this all secret” thing a bit annoying. I just find it a little hard to believe that there's this all seeing, all reaching agency that keeps aliens hidden on Earth since Earth seems to be like a kind of Grand Central Station of aliens coming and going and using our planet as a stop over to get to where they are going next. Surely you can't keep a lid on that all the time and it doesn't get out?

But then you have their magic memory wiping thing the neuralizer and that makes it all good and fine because anything that does happen out they come and you wipe everyone's memory of what they have witnessed, and they come in many sizes including big ass giant ones to erase a whole bunch of people at once. While I love this series of movies I still find the whole secrecy thing very annoying.

There would be occasions when you just couldn't keep it secret. What would happen if an Independence Day like event happened and the whole planet was invaded by aliens in giant city destroying ships? How you gonna fix that one especially if they attack first?

Anyway I will finish here and just say that this is how I felt with the movie and yep it wasn't great but it was fun.

 

[Timelord79 (he/him)]

When a whole global scale invasion would happen, they would bring out the largest memory flasher they have: the moon! You know it would happen!

 

[Gingerbread Demon]

When a whole global scale invasion would happen, they would bring out the largest memory flasher they have: the moon! You know it would happen!

I'd expect nothing less. What a stupid trope that's become. Wouldn't explain all the trashed cities and billions dead, though with wiped memories who would notice?

 

[Unicron]

When a whole global scale invasion would happen, they would bring out the largest memory flasher they have: the moon! You know it would happen!

 

[JD]

That was pretty much how I felt about it too, although I'd probably rate it a bit higher. It was good, but not great.

 

[STEPhon IT]

#Metoo in Black International felt like more of the same for me. I was hoping by changing the setting to England would be different than NYC, but it wasn't. It seemed to me Hemsworth was playing the same character he played in #MetooGhostbusters; everything he does in the movie is to make Tessa Thompson look superior. The idea of the MIB had so much potential but it's been dragging its feet since MIIB, it's a far far time when Will Smith & the great Linda Fiorentino were seen together in the epilogue of the 1st film where it looked like those 2 would have a bright future taking on the scum of the universe.

 

[Morpheus 02]

I went with the family yesterday...only 1 local theater had it and it was also empty.

It was a LOT of fun for us.

They added the secrecy with the cloaking device, so interesting.

And quickly dealt with women in MEN in black.

I thought they made Molly sufficiently flawed and I really enjoyed all the characters.
I am guessing this one is NOT getting a sequel? Too bad..because I would like more along this ...

 

[Gingerbread Demon]

I went with the family yesterday...only 1 local theater had it and it was also empty.

It was a LOT of fun for us.

They added the secrecy with the cloaking device, so interesting.

And quickly dealt with women in MEN in black.

I thought they made Molly sufficiently flawed and I really enjoyed all the characters.
I am guessing this one is NOT getting a sequel? Too bad..because I would like more along this ...

I guess that depends on box office numbers. I don't think this one did so well but am happy to be proven wrong.

 

[FPAlpha]

If when watching a big blockbuster movie and my mind starts to wander around and not pay attention and i don't care that i missed some things... this is not a good sign and that happened here.

As OP said it was paint by the numbers for a current blockbuster.. have 2 very attractive main cast members (one of whom is a black female so they get to check 2 boxes for the price of one), some whacky aliens and cool tech and saving the Earth once again.

The first MIB movies worked better somehow maybe because the formula was more fresh or maybe because Will Smith is a better blockbuster actor, i don't know but this one is not getting on my must see list - it's ok to watch once when you've got nothing better to do and that's it.

 

[Gingerbread Demon]

If when watching a big blockbuster movie and my mind starts to wander around and not pay attention and i don't care that i missed some things... this is not a good sign and that happened here.

As OP said it was paint by the numbers for a current blockbuster.. have 2 very attractive main cast members (one of whom is a black female so they get to check 2 boxes for the price of one), some whacky aliens and cool tech and saving the Earth once again.

The first MIB movies worked better somehow maybe because the formula was more fresh or maybe because Will Smith is a better blockbuster actor, i don't know but this one is not getting on my must see list - it's ok to watch once when you've got nothing better to do and that's it.

When I got home and wrote my review comments that is exactly how I did feel, but these movies did make me silly afterwards looking around the world as I walked out the cinema and just wondering "what if" and looking at everything and everyone...

 

[Gaith]

The first MIB movies worked better somehow maybe because the formula was more fresh or maybe because Will Smith is a better blockbuster actor, i don't know [...]

I think the issue here is the franchise is at war with itself. On a plot level, it's a super-police movie, in the vein of Bond/Mission: Impossible, where the heroes' core function is to maintain the status quo. But, since the first one was also a zippy buddy comedy, and Smith more or less maintained that energy in the sequels, the public expects the franchise to be comedic - problem being, maintaining a status quo is inherently not comedic. Also, in the original, the whole notion of the sinister, unaccountable government agents being the heroes was a sly joke in of itself; needless to say, that well's gone bone dry.

And now with International, the franchise has attained Legacy status, in which Tessa Thompson's newbie character, unlike J in the original, openly admires and wholeheartedly wants to be part of the organization. Not exactly a firm foundation for comedy...

 

[USS Fardell]

Men In Black International

Spoiler

The fourth movie in the Men In Black series, originally based on a series of comics. The intro in Paris in 2016 effectively sets up the film. Agents T and H interrupting the almost engaged couple was a rather good moment of humour. Agent H being absent for a moment sets up some mystery as to what happened with Agent T, effectively setting up the main plot of the film. It also provides a bookend scene for the film (see below). The artistic styling for the Paris street is also interesting (more on that below too).
Then there is Molly, who realises that the world is more than it appears after she meets an alien who looks like a plush toy, and MIB agents neuralise her parents, but not her. The sequence that follows, where she grows up and tries to find out who was responsible was rather good. A great example of characterisation. The sequence where she follows the trajectory of a spacecraft and then sneaks into MIB headquarters shows that she's determined and is great at improvisation. As she states to Agent O, she found them.
She is soon sent to the London Branch, where Agent O says there is a problem. The introduction to MIB London, is done rather well (including the arrival via Hyperloop). Agent O's introduction to Agent H (and the others) is done rather well (even if it is reminiscent of Agent J in the first film.) Then there is Agent H, the playboy agent. (Not sure what to make of that, even if he succeeds at his mission.) That he's said to have changed since he and High T saved the world (with determination and their D7 Deatomisers), just adds to the set-up.
But there is a threat on the horizon (there always seems to be). A pair of gaseous aliens who appear in Marrakesh, and some kind of Hive race. The twins may be bland as antagonists, but that may be the point. The comedy is in the interactions with the alien prince who Agent H has to chaperone (along with an exhasperated Agent M). Not sure why the prince trusts Agent M over agent H with the weapon, but there it is. At least the death scene is moving. The intrigue in MIB London as H and M go on the run with that weapon is certainly interesting.
Who is the mole? That is the question. (Is it, Agent H? High T? Agent C? At this point in the film it could have been any of them, or another agent altogether). Again, a reminder of T and H saving the world at the Eiffel Tower (with determination and their D7 Deatomisers). To Marrakesh! The introduction of Pawney seems a little on the nose. (His culture includes a concept similar to Suppuku, we get it!) At least he is helpful to Agent M (see below). The chase scene through (and above) Marrakesh, was rather good.
The scenes at the island with the intergalactic arms dealer (whom Agent H had a 'dalliance' with) were rather good (including the call back to the start of the film). Then meeting High T at the edge of the island. (A repetition of how they saved the world.) Not until they get back to the London does Agent M realise something's wrong. High T? Back to Paris! Something's happening at the Eiffel Tower. Agent M realises that something happened that night three years before. T and H didn't save the world (with determination and their D7 Deatomisers).
High T is an agent of the Hive! And H was neuralised! At least this twist came out of nowhere (although the breadcrumbs had been laid, as to what might have happened). An interesting film. 8/10.

 

[Gingerbread Demon]

Men In Black International

Spoiler

The fourth movie in the Men In Black series, originally based on a series of comics. The intro in Paris in 2016 effectively sets up the film. Agents T and H interrupting the almost engaged couple was a rather good moment of humour. Agent H being absent for a moment sets up some mystery as to what happened with Agent T, effectively setting up the main plot of the film. It also provides a bookend scene for the film (see below). The artistic styling for the Paris street is also interesting (more on that below too).
Then there is Molly, who realises that the world is more than it appears after she meets an alien who looks like a plush toy, and MIB agents neuralise her parents, but not her. The sequence that follows, where she grows up and tries to find out who was responsible was rather good. A great example of characterisation. The sequence where she follows the trajectory of a spacecraft and then sneaks into MIB headquarters shows that she's determined and is great at improvisation. As she states to Agent O, she found them.
She is soon sent to the London Branch, where Agent O says there is a problem. The introduction to MIB London, is done rather well (including the arrival via Hyperloop). Agent O's introduction to Agent H (and the others) is done rather well (even if it is reminiscent of Agent J in the first film.) Then there is Agent H, the playboy agent. (Not sure what to make of that, even if he succeeds at his mission.) That he's said to have changed since he and High T saved the world (with determination and their D7 Deatomisers), just adds to the set-up.
But there is a threat on the horizon (there always seems to be). A pair of gaseous aliens who appear in Marrakesh, and some kind of Hive race. The twins may be bland as antagonists, but that may be the point. The comedy is in the interactions with the alien prince who Agent H has to chaperone (along with an exhasperated Agent M). Not sure why the prince trusts Agent M over agent H with the weapon, but there it is. At least the death scene is moving. The intrigue in MIB London as H and M go on the run with that weapon is certainly interesting.
Who is the mole? That is the question. (Is it, Agent H? High T? Agent C? At this point in the film it could have been any of them, or another agent altogether). Again, a reminder of T and H saving the world at the Eiffel Tower (with determination and their D7 Deatomisers). To Marrakesh! The introduction of Pawney seems a little on the nose. (His culture includes a concept similar to Suppuku, we get it!) At least he is helpful to Agent M (see below). The chase scene through (and above) Marrakesh, was rather good.
The scenes at the island with the intergalactic arms dealer (whom Agent H had a 'dalliance' with) were rather good (including the call back to the start of the film). Then meeting High T at the edge of the island. (A repetition of how they saved the world.) Not until they get back to the London does Agent M realise something's wrong. High T? Back to Paris! Something's happening at the Eiffel Tower. Agent M realises that something happened that night three years before. T and H didn't save the world (with determination and their D7 Deatomisers).
High T is an agent of the Hive! And H was neuralised! At least this twist came out of nowhere (although the breadcrumbs had been laid, as to what might have happened). An interesting film. 8/10.

Nice rundown of the film.

 

[JD]

In case anyone is unaware, the crazy way that twin aliens move is completely real, they were play by the dancers know as Les Twins.
I actually first saw them on World of Dance a couple years ago, so I thought it was pretty cool when they popped up in such a big role in this.
Here's one of their performance from last year's WoD season.

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[Gingerbread Demon]

In case anyone is unaware, the crazy way that twin aliens move is completely real, they were play by the dancers know as Les Twins.
I actually first saw them on World of Dance a couple years ago, so I thought it was pretty cool when they popped up in such a big role in this.
Here's one of their performance from last year's WoD season.

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For more detailed information, see our cookies page.

Accept third party cookies

That's interesting.

 

[Qonundrum]

When a whole global scale invasion would happen, they would bring out the largest memory flasher they have: the moon! You know it would happen!

So they mooned the audience?

 

[Markonian]

#Metoo in Black International felt like more of the same for me. I was hoping by changing the setting to England would be different than NYC, but it wasn't. It seemed to me Hemsworth was playing the same character he played in #MetooGhostbusters; everything he does in the movie is to make Tessa Thompson look superior.

How does the #MeToo campaign figure into these movies? I've seen the new Ghostbusters but it did not tackle rape.

 

[JD]

It doesn't have anything to do with MIB International either.

 

[Turtletrekker]

How does the #MeToo campaign figure into these movies? I've seen the new Ghostbusters but it did not tackle rape.

He's under the mistaken belief that he's being clever and edgy.

 

[Discofan]

I wonder why they couldn't get Will Smith for that one. He's to MIB what Sigourney Weaver was to the Alien saga.