Men in Black: International Review: A Mind-Numbing Experience!

Advertised as the spin-off of the original MIB films, Men in Black: International stars Chris Hemsworth and Tessa Thompson in the lead roles and introduces us to a high-caliber star cast including Liam Neeson, Emma Thompson and Rebecca Ferguson. Directed by F. Gary Gray (Straight Outta Compton and Fate of the Furious fame), this film can best be described as a mediocre Netflix film which you don’t mind running in the background while you’re busy doing something important.

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The storyline of the film explores the journey of Molly (Tessa Thompson) and her life-long obsession to join the MIB. Eventually, after numerous attempts, Molly finds her way in and gets recruited into the super spy organization effortlessly. In due course, after reaching the MIB London base for an assignment, M teams up with Agent H (Chris Hemsworth), a highly-skilled ‘saviour of the world’ and travels around the world on a mission to stop two alien creatures from capturing a dangerous weapon.

Being the fourth film in this culturally popular franchise, Men in Black: International offers nothing refreshing when it comes to the storyline, humor, action sequences or the visuals. It is an ordinary, run-of-the-mill movie from the beginning to the end and sucked out the energy out of the room with its underwhelming narrative. The segmented plot of the film doesn’t market any intriguing factor and goes with the motions of the characters from point A to B and then C to point D.

The humor, which is one of the most entertaining facets in the previous MIB films fell flat and never recovers for the most part, despite trying once every five minutes. The antagonists who pose as a threat in the entire film are conclusively, frustrating to watch as there are only seen walking slowly, blasting ammo towards their opponents and doing nothing at all.

However, the only aspect which carries the movie forward and makes it slightly enjoyable is the likeable chemistry between the two leads, Chris Hemsworth and Tessa Thompson. Following a brief interaction in Marvel’s Thor Ragnarok, the couple brightens up the vibe with their charm, wit and dynamic on-screen presence. Thompson, in particular, portrays her sound character decently by not making it annoying. Kumail Nanjiani, who plays the sidekick of Thompson in the film, is undoubtedly the brightest spots in the movie and provides that much-needed comedic relief in the third act.

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Overall, F. Gary Gray’s take on the Men in Black franchise fizzles out from the get-go and underwhelms significantly when compared to the previous three films in the franchise. It is a mind-numbing feature inside and out and is not even remotely close to entertaining. Hemsworth and Thompson gave their best to make the narrative tolerable, but, Men in Black: International is likely the last one we will see in this worn-out franchise.

Rating – 2/5 | Grade – C

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