Men in bLaCK: inTernaTionaL

You won’t want to remember

released 21 OcTOBer (download out now) 2019 | 12 | Blu-ray (4K/standard)/ dVd/download

Director F Gary Gray Cast chris Hemsworth, Tessa Thompson, Kumail Nanjiani

It’s over 20 years since the Men in Black first protected the Earth from the scum of the universe, and it’s increasingly difficult to understand why they’re still at it. With the involvement of original stars Tommy Lee Jones and Will Smith limited to likenesses in a painting, this fourth movie offered the perfect chance to reinvent the franchise. Unfortunately, aside from moving the action to Europe, this is more of the same, as familiar as those famously well-cut suits.

Memory-wiping Neuralyzers, aliens wearing cunning disguises to blend in here on Earth, Frank the Pug... Men In Black: International seems to hope bringing back the franchise’s familiar touchstones will make everyone forget how predictable the story is, or that alien threat the Hive have little new to offer.

Chris Hemsworth and Tessa Thompson have proved they possess both chemistry and fine comic timing in the MCU, but there’s little evidence of either here, as they’re wasted by a script painfully short on jokes. In fact, the movie’s biggest gift to the saga is the belated acknowledgement that, in 2019, calling the group “Men” in Black is a tad outdated.

Extras There’s a disconnect between the quality of the movie and the aspirations of the cast/ crew expressed in six Making Of featurettes – though there are worthwhile moments, such as seeing the toy-like model doubling for 4” CG sidekick Pawny on set. You also get a brief franchise recap, nine deleted/extended scenes, a gag reel, and three comedy skits. Richard Edwards

Laurent and Larry Bourgeois, who play agile alien villains the Twins, were backing dancers for Beyoncé for six years.