Here's What Critics Are Saying About ‘Men In Black: International’

Reviews have started dropping for Sony Pictures and director F. Gary Gray’s “Men in Black: International,” a spinoff of the sci-fi action comedy series that swaps series stalwarts Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones for a “Thor: Ragnarok” reunion of Tessa Thompson and Chris Hemsworth. The stakes are high for this sequel, as the perennially franchise-hungry Sony would love for the 20-year-old series to find new life. So, how is it stacking up with critics?

Poorly, to put it bluntly, but with unsurprising praise reserved for Thompson and Hemsworth’s performances and chemistry. Here are some samples of what critics are saying.

IGN Movies – Joe Skrebels:

“That lack of tension pervades the entirety of 'International.' It feels like 'Men In Black' by numbers, a trudge from one set-piece to the next untidily glued together by weak gags and sharp suits, never getting us to care about its characters or the world-changing stakes.”

Variety – Peter Debruge:

“In terms of basic execution, 'Men in Black: International' is a mess, and if the film were being graded purely in terms of technique, it barely passes muster...”

Digital Spy – Ian Sandwell:

“...While the set-up gives the movie a clean slate, the plot is disappointingly predictable and stale. The movie is set in a world where aliens live among us, and the best story it could come up with is a mole within MIB ripped straight from '24' (or any spy thriller), seasoned with some reluctant odd-couple banter.”

Collider – Vinnie Mancuso:

“Story-wise, 'International' suffers from the same two issues plaguing most big-money blockbusters of the last few years: A barely-explained MacGuffin and a personality-free villain to chase after it.”

Not everyone has been immune to the charms of those well-cut suits, however.

Business Insider – Jason Guerrasio:

“...Hemsworth and Thompson are great doing the buddy cop thing. Coming off their work together on 'Thor: Ragnarok' and 'Avengers: Endgame' they really get to play off each other in this movie and it leads to a fun time (the movie also has a great Thor joke in it).”

The Film Stage – Dan Mecca:

“The camera clearly loves Tessa Thompson, continuing to promise a bright future for the young actress. As for Hemsworth, here’s hoping he continues to play funny. This is breezy stuff, a welcome respite in the hot summer months.”

"Men in Black: International" will release nationwide on Friday.