Men In Black: International (2019)

Rating: ***
Review Date: 6/22/19
Music: Danny Elfman
Cast: Chris Hemsworth, Tessa Thompson, Rebecca Ferguson, Emma Thompson, Liam Neeson

Ever since the "Men In Black" animated series came out in 1997, I've been wanting to see more female agents in the MIB organization. Tessa Thompson does an excellent job as Agent M, a smart and driven woman who spent years trying to locate and make contact with MIB. Agent O (Emma Thompson) is moved by her passion and unwavering hunger for knowledge, and gives her a probationary assignment in London. There's evidence of a mole in MIB which threatens the safety of the planet, and it's up to Agent M and Agent H (Chris Hemsworth) to uncover the traitor and save the world from destruction.

Unfortunately, it's not very good. It's dull, predictable, uninspired, and the lame attempts at humor feel forced and fall flat. The action scenes are weak and the visual effects are surprisingly unconvincing, which gives the film more of a B-movie feel than it should have. The only reason the film works at all is because Chris Hemsworth and Tessa Thompson are so charming and attractive. Thompson gives a strong and compelling performance, looks absolutely fantastic, and is a total thrill to watch. Chris Hemsworth is also a lot of fun to watch, although his idiot swagger routine is starting to get stale. Danny Elfman's score is delightful and adds a touch of nostalgia along with setting the lighthearted and whimsical tone of the film. For the most part, the cinematography is good and the colors are attractive, but there are a handful of lens flares that are really disruptive and detract from the action. While Agent M is a great addition to the team, the film doesn't really cover any new ground and it's unlikely to resurrect the franchise.