Men in Black: International

Without charismatic Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones, this frantic reboot feels like second-rate pop culture sci-fi, revolving around Molly (Tessa Thompson), a young Brooklyn woman whose childhood memories of her parents being “neuralyzed” by MIB after seeing an alien has given her insight into what’s invisible to most Earthlings. Molly is so determined to discover the truth about mankind’s place in the universe that she tracks down Executive Agent O (Emma Thompson) and becomes the highly secretive agency’s first volunteer. As a probationary recruit, known as Agent M, Molly is partnered with glibly cocky Agent H (Chris Hemsworth), who relies all-too-often on his looks and charm. Apparently, many years ago H saved the world with London division boss High T (Liam Neeson) “with nothing but wits and series-70 atomizers.” Among those menacing them are Riza (Rebecca Ferguson), a criminal overlord, and the shape-shifting Alien Twins (Laurent and Larry Bourgeois), who exude an eerie cosmic countenance and can manipulate whatever they touch in their search for a crystalline box…aka intergalactic super-weapon. While the gung-ho rookie/seasoned veteran setup is comfortably familiar, the series has just lost its luster, traveling to London, Paris, and Marrakesh, but ultimately going nowhere. Directed by F. Gary Gray, who cannot juggle live action involving fanciful “aliens” with the same satiric skill as MIB veteran director Barry Sonnenfeld, this is a disappointing reboot. Optional. [Note: DVD/Blu-ray extras include the behind-the-scenes featurettes “New Recruits, Classic Suits” (7 min.), “Let’s Do This! Inside the Action & Stunts” (6 min.), “Expanding the Universe of MIB” (6 min.), “Frank & Pawny’s Peanut Gallery” (6 min.), “Look Right Here: Gadgets, Weapons & Rides” (5 min.), “In Case You’ve Been Neutralized: MIB Recap” (4 min.), “The MIB Meet the NBA” (3 min.), “Alien Shopping Network!” (2 min.), and “Les Twins Leave it on the Floor” (2 min.), as well as a gag reel (2 min.). Exclusive to the Blu-ray release are deleted scenes (12 min.), and bonus DVD and digital copies of the film. Bottom line: a solid extras package for a disappointing franchise entry.] (S. Granger)