# Men In Black franchise **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** movies\ **Created:** [November 18, 2025, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-in-black-franchise/1024947 "2025-11-18T04:03:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2025, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-in-black-franchise/1024947/1 "2025-11-18T04:03:52Z")
We just watched _Men In Black: International_. I started a thread in 2002 about _Men In Black_. I’d actually just watched on VHS, rented from Blockbuster. Back then, I thought it was ‘Meh.’ In actuality, or at least now, I really like the original movie. Heck, I even have a Hamilton Ventura watch like they used in the movie, and which Elvis Presley wore in _Blue Hawaii_. So, yeah, the original is now one of my favourite movies. _Men In Black: International_… Well, it’s fun. But it didn’t really do it for me. Maybe I’m missing Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones. As for the other two, I prefer them to _International_. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2025, 4:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-in-black-franchise/1024947/2 "2025-11-18T04:41:17Z")
I rewatched _International_ recently, and though it’s decent entertainment, it has many problems. Firstly the villain does not feel dangerous. And the secondary villain comes out of nowhere. Secondly, Chris Hemsworth is just a dick and never really redeems himself from that. I’m sure they were going for some kind of charm, but it’s not what eventuated. And lastly, the plot is not all that interesting, though all the previous movies share that quality. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2025, 4:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-in-black-franchise/1024947/3 "2025-11-18T04:47:53Z")
> [@GuanoLad](#): > > Chris Hemsworth is just a dick and never really redeems himself from that. I agree. Tommy Lee Jones was anti-charming. He was crusty and cynical, and it worked. Will Smith was hip, which Hemsworth isn’t. It just doesn’t really work without them. Per Wikipedia: > Unlike its predecessors, _Men in Black: International_ received mostly negative reviews… ---
**Author:** ![Snooooopy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ee7513/32.png) [@Snooooopy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snooooopy)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2026, 7:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-in-black-franchise/1024947/4 "2026-01-22T07:32:24Z")
I remember really looking forward to seeing _Men in Black: International_ when it came out. Chris Hemsworth and Tessa Thompson both seemed like fresh and interesting choices to get the franchise started up again. But by the time I actually got around to checking the movie listings, it had come and gone. I think I’ve seen the whole thing on cable by this point, between seeing one part one night, another part another night and yet another part yet another night. It’s certainly got its charms, but it’s clearly a disappointment. Maybe with less Pawny it might’ve worked. I dunno.