MEN IN BLACK: INTERNATIONAL

US, 2019, 114 minutes, Colour.
Chris Hemsworth, Tessa Thompson, Kumail Nanjiani, Rebecca Ferguson, Rafe Spall, Emma Thompson, Liam Neeson.
Directed by F.Gary Gray.

Way back (way back!) In the 1990s, there was a revelation that there was a special Institute, the Men in Black, who worked secretly, worked undercover, to protect humans and Earth from the “Scum of the Universe�. And a strange array of special effects creatures dramatised the threatening point.

After the recent release of Pokémon, Detective Pikachu, and the reminder that Pokémon emerged in the mid 1990s as well, there seems something of a thematic connection. And that connection is that, by now, a lot of the creatures have become buddies of the Men in Black, each protecting each other’s back. Which, of course, is not to say that there are not a lot of villains who have heightened special effects evil powers.

Way back then, the older Tommy Lee Jones and the younger Will Smith were partners. This time, there is a 21st-century question mark concerning the title (and the same with X-Men): men only or women and men. Of course, the question is asked openly here, especially concerning the new Agent M, young Molly from Brooklyn, who had experienced the creatures back in 1996, especially the little one who was her pet. Highly intelligent, she has interviewed for the CIA but has been on the track to find the Men in Black and to be recruited. The question is strongly acknowledged by Agent O, strongly in charge, strongly played by Emma Thompson.

But, the head of the Institute is played by Liam Neeson, Agent High T, initially seen partnering the up-and-coming, Agent H in Paris. Transitioning from Thor, H is played in his comic, offhand flair style and banter by Chris Hemsworth.

Actually, the whole thing is an absolute extravaganza of eccentricity. There are settings of Paris, London and Marrakesh (and out in the Sahara) with their ordinary day-to-day lives as well as the substructure of the creatures taking refuge on Earth. Lots and lots of special effects (especially the vast canyon in the Sahara). Lots and lots of weird characters – the range of planets and galaxies certainly does produce the weirdest of creatures.

Tessa Thompson, who appeared with Chris Hemsworth in the Avenger films, she playing Valkyrei, is serious and intelligent as Agent M, initially on probation, caught up with the fairly lackadaisical H, affirmed by High T, but eyed with some suspicion by a rather prissy Agent See (Rafe Spall). There is a growing suspicion that there is a mole in the Institute.

There is mayhem in the London club. There is confusion and threat in Marrakesh. There is a visit to a castle on top of a rocky crag in the Mediterranean, the home of a seductive and evil mastermind played by Rebecca Ferguson (and a happy reunion between Molly and her pet creature). But, for humour and entertainment, there is the introduction of a small creature, Pawn, in service of the Queen. When the court is attacked and the Queen dies, Pawny, offers loyal fealty to M. His presence leads to quite a lot of comic sequences as well as plenty of observations, comic remarks, all with the Pakistani/American accent of actor, Kumail Nanjiani (The Big Sick).

All familiar in its way but an undemanding and popular kind of entertainment for the fans.

1. The popularity of the franchise? From the 1990s? The role of the Men in Black, protecting earth from the “scum of the universe�? The older generation? The new generation? Creatures from other planets living in harmony with humans?

2. The comic book background of the stories? Wild imagining? The visualising of the creatures, the range, look, sound, behaviour? The presence around the world, Paris, London, Marrakesh?

3. The new generation, the new title? International? And the significance of women in black, Hnt O? Molly, the encounter when young, her ambitions, wanting to join, searching out the Men in Black? Her being the equal – if not superior to the other agents?

4. The opening, the Paris sequence, H and High T? Interactions? Personalities? High T disliking Paris? The Eiffel Tower, the lovers, the attack from the galaxies? H and the elevator?

5. Brooklyn, 1996, Molly, her family, the invasion, her pet, small, chatter? Her parents’ memory loss, her surviving?

6. Molly, grown-up, CIA interviews, the job, on the alert for the Men in Black, tracking them down, the creatures, moving through the fence? The taxi, the pursuit? Her going for the interview with,Agent O? Her stern tone? Becoming probationary?

7. The head office, the range of agents, the intergalactic creatures? The mechanism for detecting the creatures? High T and his welcoming Molly? H and C and his interference?

8. The episode in Marrakesh, the city, the streets, the merchants, the headquarters for the creatures? The murderous twins? Leading to their coming to London, the chief creature, his wanting to go out on the town, H and his background, the high life, liaisons? The night club, the dancing, M and her alertness, her getting the machine and hiding it in her pocket, not informing the authorities? The attack after the dance, the explosion, death?

9. High T and always defending H against C, H and his nonchalance? C and the insinuations about a mole in the organisation? His suspicious behaviour, going out and taking control, criticisms?

10. The return to Marrakesh, pursuing the twins? The merchant with the bike? Riding the bike, soaring through the air, out into the desert? Exploring the machine turning into a gun? The explosion of the vast rift?

11. The pawn, in service to the Queen, the attack, the death of the Queen, Pawny and his wanting to serve Molly, deference to her? His character, his size, adventures? His comic voice – with the touch of the Pakistani accent? His participation in the adventures, the comic turns?

12. The decision to visit the island and Riza? The past encounter with H? Her enormous assistant? The guards, with H, M climbing the cliff? The arguments, taking possession of the gun, Molly and the fight with Riza? The big creature, bodyguard, and his turning out to be Molly’s pet from the past?

13. H and the issue of the mole? His realisation that he had been neuronised? The realisation that High T was the mole, ambitious, the confrontation in Paris, the Eiffel Tower, T transformed into the gigantic monster? His destruction?

14. Agent O, reviewing the situation, M no longer probationary, her job in New York, H and his promotion, the approval of C?

15. And the couple finally driving off and into the air? To a possible sequel?