Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * *

Cast: Chris Hemsworth, Tessa Thompson, Kumail Nanjiani, Rebecca Ferguson, Rafe Spall, Liam Neeson, Emma Thompson, Laurent Bourgeois, Larry Bourgeois, Kayvan Novak, Spencer Wilding, Mercy Harriell, Inny Clemins.

The accusation of the redundant and superfluous has long been strewn across the floor of films that have failed to keep the momentum going in terms of adventure and the single continuous thread which sees the same returning characters always at the heart of the story; it is an allegation that in many cases is unfounded, and yet for some the denunciation is deserved, fully and without concern.

The Men in Black trilogy is a case in point, the debut film being rightly considered ground-breaking, a perfect vehicle for Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones to perform together, to be overwhelming in the eyes of the audience. As the serial kept going the story became thin, it felt more as if the next two films were brought out it was more about keeping a studio happy and the money flowing, especially by the time the third and final one made it to the cinema screen. As a whole they were though enjoyable, thought-provoking and one that was able to throw its weight into the comedy sci-fi arena with ease.

Men In Black International though is another level, it has little charm attached to it, and for two considerably bankable stars who have worked together before, Chris Hemsworth and Tessa Thompson, the energy they bring to the venture is inadequate, barely registering on the audience’s appreciation; it might be wicked to suggest that the chemistry between them held about enough interest as being asked to travel to Jodrell Bank and then painting the visitor’s entrance sign, forgoing any possible science or chance to learn but it has to be urged upon those perhaps who will make time for the film that the leads were perhaps miscast, with the ever exceptional Rafe Spall, Liam Neeson and Emma Thompson lighting up the screen when they were involved.

It is not just in the casting of the film, arguably suffering at the non-involvement of titanic heavyweights Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones, it is in the story that the film suffers, the lack of spitball humour and melancholic brilliance that the Mr. Smith and Mr. Jones brought to the screen is flushed away and allows the story to follow aliens that are completely dull or not fleshed out enough to make the audience care. Perhaps there is no surprise, you innately know what is going to happen, and without a character of dominance such as Vincent D’Onofrio’s Edgar The Bug or Jemaine Clement’s Boris The Animal to occupy the antagonist’s viewpoint, there is not enough to make Men In Black International have a universal following.

Another franchise which wants to keep control of its future without thinking of its past, a tale too far.

Ian D. Hall