5.7 | / 10 |
Users | 4.1 | |
Reviewer | 3.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
A London-based team of Men in Black (MIB) secret agents become involved in a murder mystery that sends them traveling the globe.
Starring: Chris Hemsworth, Tessa Thompson, Kumail Nanjiani, Rebecca Ferguson, Rafe SpallAction | 100% |
Sci-Fi | 63% |
Comedy | 13% |
Video codec: HEVC / H.265
Video resolution: 4K (2160p)
Aspect ratio: 2.00:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.00:1
English: Dolby Atmos
English: Dolby TrueHD 7.1 (48kHz, 16-bit)
French (Canada): Dolby Digital 5.1
Spanish: Dolby Digital 5.1 (640 kbps)
English, English SDH, French, Spanish
Blu-ray Disc
Two-disc set (2 BDs)
Digital copy
4K Ultra HD
Slipcover in original pressing
Region free
Movie | 2.0 | |
Video | 5.0 | |
Audio | 5.0 | |
Extras | 2.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
Men in Black: International, the fourth film in the franchise and the first to move away from Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones in the leading roles, offers more of the same and less reason to watch. New faces do not equal new plot dynamics; this is a familiar if not passably watchable and ultimately stale formula regurgitation jazzed up by some snazzy visual effects (that in truth aren't much better than what the first film threw onto the screen more than two decades ago) and...not much more. Franchise fans yearning to return to the universe will appreciate the fresh coat of paint but that's really all this movie has to offer: a few bells and whistles and but little purpose beyond big box office business.
The included screenshots are sourced from a 1080p Blu-ray disc.
Men in Black: International's Blu-ray release delivers a quintessential, standout performance within its
1080p/SDR parameters. The same cannot be said of this UHD. Make no mistake, it looks quite good and performs exceedingly well, but it's not
amongst the best of the best the format
has to
offer, nor is it a particularly monumental upgrade from the Blu-ray, even if it bests it. To be sure, details and colors are both refined for the UHD
presentation, sourced
per IMDB from a 2K digital intermediate. Texturally, the image finds a
modest bump in overall clarity and object sharpness. Facial close-ups benefit from enhanced definition of fine point details, such as hairs and pores and
makeup, while the MIB suits showcase ever-so-finer material definition and density. Environments, from dense city streets to the sleek MIB
headquarters interiors, likewise show more raw clarity but not earth-shattering leaps thereof over the Blu-ray. It's a modest but welcome increase.
The HDR color enhancement likewise falls into the "refinement" category. Colors are certainly brighter and more intense. Light sources and metallic
surfaces in the aforementioned MIB offices are amongst the greatest beneficiaries, showing and reflecting more intense light and producing a more
brilliant blend of steely blues and grays. White shirts are noticeably more crisp and the contrasting black suit jackets and neckties hold a deeper black
than the Blu-ray can provide. Alien colorations are playgrounds for the HDR color scheme, allowing the multicolored and multifaceted creatures to leap
off the screen
with more pleasing, eye-catching, and screen-commanding luminance, nuance, diversity, and exactness. This is a very nice looking movie on both
formats; it just doesn't rise to the level of
"reference" on the UHD, even if it bests a reference quality Blu-ray.
The Atmos configuration only enhances the film's mesmerizing sound design, adding a tangible feel for greater spacial immersion both around and, of course, above the listener. Booming thunder and blustery winds are the first highlights in the film, teases of the sonic goodness to come. Any of the film's action scenes offer a high yield intensity that saturates the listener in sonic bliss, delivering highly active but harmoniously balanced surround integration, precision but deep bass, and a perfectly tuned feel for spacial dynamics and perfect object positioning whether stationary or mobile. Music is likewise fully immersive, making surrounds nearly as dominant as the fronts but in a way that pulls the listener in rather than force a feel for surround's sake. Environmental details are wonderfully full and finely defined while dialogue delivery is flawless. The 5.1 track is terrific; this is better.
Men in Black: International contains deleted scenes, a gag reel, and several generic featurettes on the bundled Blu-ray; there are no extras on
the UHD disc. A Movies
Anywhere digital
copy code is included with purchase. This release ships with a non-embossed slipcover.
Men in Black: International is in no way super but it is in every way superfluous. This is, admittedly, a perfectly serviceable but entirely forgettable light reboot that is exactly the kind of film Hollywood loves: a familiar brand retooled with fresh faces and an opportunity to plaster the screen with the latest and greatest in digital technology. In other words, a guaranteed moneymaker. Hemsworth and Thompson slide comfortably into the suits but the film is otherwise fully forgettable. Sony's UHD is very good. A solid 2160p/HDR presentation bests a reference Blu-ray. The Atmos audio takes a high performance 5.1 track and makes it better. Extras are limited to those on the bundled Blu-ray. Highly recommended for fans.
2019
2019
Funko Pop Collectors Set
2019
with 48-page companion mini-book
2019
2019
2012
2017
2018
25th Anniversary Edition
1997
2019
2017
2011
2013
2018
2016
Limited Edition / Reprint
2018
2014
1971
2015
2002
2018
2018
2018
2007
2008