Men in Black: WTF You Need to Know About This Franchise

[@linkdk59]

Men In Black 3 was such a delightful gift. 15 years after the first film, and 10 years after the sequel. And yet, it was so good, it had some heart, it had the humor, it had an interesting story, it had it all.

[@SecretWars98]

Favorite MIB Quote: “A person is smart, people are dumb, panicky, dangerous animals & you know it.” That one stuck with me, what was & will always hold true!

[@bartoszdulas1703]

0:52 . You can keep your Chris Evans, I have my first live-action Captain America, here "The best of the best of the best, Sir".

[@thecunninlynguist]

Love the first film so much. Great premise, Tommy Lee Jones playing it so straight, and will being bad ass. The song is classic too. So is the animated series.

[@matthewdaley746]

Too bad that two of the three leads quit showbiz following it, apparently, there was something that soured them on the whole acting experience.

[@Doofwarrior88]

The scene when young agent K says to kid J. To take care of my best pal. Gets me crying every time

[@SandraOrtmann1976]

Griffin is my absolute favourite character in all of MIB. So cute, and so very mindboggling.

[@exanhighlander6236]

greatly written character I find him to be the heart of the movie.

[@joycegeertsma7115]

The casting and performance of Josh Brolin as a younger agent Kay was indeed perfect. I also liked Vincent d'Onofrio as Edgar. Frank the pug was hilarious! Loved parts one and three, and tbh, I never even KNEW there was a part four.

[@chasehedges6775]

Men In Black 1 and 3 are classic

[@trinaq]

Agreed... The less said about the second and fourth, the better.

[@thecunninlynguist]

​@@trinaq4th?

[@trinaq]

@@thecunninlynguist Men in Black: International came out in 2019, starring Chris Hemsworth and Tessa Thompson.

[@chasehedges6775]

@@trinaq Chris Hemsworth

[@thecunninlynguist]

​@@trinaqI thought you didn't want us to remember 😆 I saw that crap in theaters. It sucked royally. You knew the twist from the trailers

[@OofHearted]

Clements' performance in 3 is my top favourite thing in MIB. And when he argues with his younger self, *chef's kiss.

[@alki9859]

The 21 jumpstreet, and MIB crossover, as they had planned, would've been the perfect continuation for MIB. It just makes sense. Would've been fucking awesome.

[@vampirascoffin870]

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

[@ericcarabetta1161]

MiB International is like, Ghostbusters: Answer The Call; I like to pretend it's not part of the series.

[@matthewdaley746]

I pretended the cartoon ended after Lorenzo Music got callously fired, Dave Coulier was the only one of the three leads on Full House never to have, A, Second Act, coincidence, I think, not.

[@poloMpolo]

very nicely done essay. Very pleasant to listen to. JoBlo is truly out there with movie/tv stuff. Keep ti coming guys!

[@billybritt5835]

Dude. You should revisit the series. It was something different that was unappreciated at the time; much like Gargoyles was.

[@matthewdaley746]

Cast was forgotten, mysteriously.

[@JayMeals3]

I remember going to the theater to see the first film it was mind blowing. And Josh Brolin is gr8 in the third as K.

[@matthewdaley746]

Thanos was seriously better.

[@AshGCG]

Wow! I truly didn't know how little impact International had on me. When it was mentioned here I thought, "Oh. I should see this to finish off the series." only to realise, as the video went on, that I had already seen it.

[@shadowwarrior7218]

Absolutely Love this Franchise. Such an enjoyable movie experience. All of them.

[@donovandelaney3171]

Men in Black in real life sometimes murder Whistleblowers. I would like to see the movies show this.

[@jesserussell9286]

This video was so good!

[@legendoflink0031]

I didn’t realise that 2 was so hated until these comments. I always remember enjoying it, especially the post office part

[@Danton1990]

I think you may have missed the story beat in MIB: International that Agent H was not behaving his normal self because of the brainwashing from the secret villain. I think it'd be interesting if they did a sequel and showed him being actually competent and badass.

[@SeamusAlive]

I'm calling you out Joblo! How can you even consider a review of MIB and not give a shout out to Vincent D'Onofrio.

[@jameslin3458]

First one is my fav and the 3rd is my sec due to the ending hitting me in the feelings. And the cast just fit so well.

[@benwasserman8223]

Most people forget the original MIB comics involved paranormal, supernatural and mythological creatures on top of extraterrestrials. The movies limited it to aliens only- probably for the better.

[@MrBoyYankee]

RIP to Linda Farantino's career. Profound Sadness.

[@28hipster]

I grew up on the first 2, watched them so much. When 3 came out I wasn’t really interested as thought it was too late for a sequel until a few years later I randomly stuck it on with low expectations but I was pleasantly surprised how much I loved it, an incredible trilogy

[@mrgreatbigmoose]

The key to this series is similar to the definition of "camp" - you treat the humorous as serious and the serious as humorous. In this case the fantastic is treated as mundane (aliens are real!) and the mundane is treated with gravity (pie is the secret to life!) MiB International didn't work because the aliens were treated as everyday, but NOTHING was ever taken as serious.

[@aserta]

MiBI didn't work because it garbage, blatant marysue writing of the worst level possible, that would get laughed at even in the lowest possible levels of writing, let alone in a sequel movie to a respectable franchise that spans the comics, cartoon, and a trilogy that had everything neatly wrapped in a bow, tipped by K.

[@wstine79]

I love these movies, especially the first and third. Two was okay and international had some good moments

[@Omar-wq9dz]

Even after all these years, I’ve only ever seen the first one

[@chasehedges6775]

First one is a classic. Third one is really good as well

[@trinaq]

Me too, I really should see the sequels, but will probably skip International.

[@TP_9033]

Then you’ve seen the best one

[@Oonagh72]

I don’t like the second one. It feels like two movies. It’s disjointed.

[@crytkryssus9851]

Animated Series is fantastic.

[@mygeilablack3100]

It is never too late for MiB. If Smith is in it i will be epic. More of it. Loved them all. That one pieces without him was ok, but we need more J.

[@wesleystace9962]

you are absolutely right MIB International I don't even remember it it was so bad and I know I watched it

[@BuckarooBanzai84]

I think you need to give the cartoon another shot; a "handful" of episodes isn't really enough to get to the good stuff. They even did the whole "Statue-of-Liberty-as-a-giant-neuralizer"-thing YEARS before the 2nd movie. (But I agree totally with you on the 3rd movie; even though I though the sets looked a little fake, the story and characters more than make up for it.) =)

[@matthewdaley746]

Cast got ruined however.

[@BuckarooBanzai84]

@@matthewdaley746 I suppose so. =|

[@matthewdaley746]

@@BuckarooBanzai84 Typecasting seriously annihilated them.

[@BuckarooBanzai84]

@@matthewdaley746 The first movie? Yeah, I guess so.

[@matthewdaley746]

@@BuckarooBanzai84 Of the animated series.

[@RomaroBrandon]

MIB 1 was a great start to the franchise. MIB 2 may not be a perfect sequel but it's still a good sequel. MIB 3 is a perfect mixture of both, with Kay being the more experienced one like in the first movie and Jay knowing more than him like in the second. MIB: International had potential and a good cast.

[@matthewdaley746]

Potential gets films ruined.

[@RomaroBrandon]

@@matthewdaley746 no bad scripts and actors not giving a fuck ruins movies.

[@matthewdaley746]

@Romaro Brandon Many things portend disaster.

[@RomaroBrandon]

@@matthewdaley746 yeah but to some all that up and try and say it's own potential ruined the film instead of specifying makes no sense. You're basically blaming the film for not reaching your expectations without proper consideration.

[@matthewdaley746]

@@RomaroBrandon Potential's good, execution's better.

[@undefined40]

until 23:40 I assumed you will just not mention "that movie", kind of my "There is no Highlander 2" way.

[@Adam19842]

I was gonna say this movie is like the GHOSTBUSTERS of the 90s.

[@matthewdaley746]

Ghostbusters worked exactly once, all of the elements returning couldn't make lightning strike twice, the cartoon was total garbage after Lorenzo Music got replaced.

[@donovandelaney3171]

But what happened to K when he erased himself? Where did he go?

[@shainewhite2781]

MIB International killed the franchise, that's WTF happened.

[@matthewdaley746]

Yeah, the fact that the original was something of a surprise hit really should have tipped off the producers not to press their luck.

[@alki9859]

😅

[@matthewdaley746]

@@alki9859 Greed proved absolutely ruinous.

[@jmos005]

When I was 5 years old, I was a huge fan of men in black because of Will Smith from day one.

[@inkthinker]

The animated series is a ton of fun! It just needs to exist on its own merits, and it does just fine. Give it more of a chance than 6 outta 50+ episodes.

[@darthgoku90]

Hey, MIB the Series is awesome. Sure it didn't acknowledge the first movie's ending by featuring Agent K as still active, but it was still great. I'd certainly recommend it. Honestly, it seems like MIB 3 was based more on the cartoon show's timeline than the first two movies, cuz they didn't make any references to MIB 2 and basically made it seem like Kay and Jay had been partners the whole time since Jay was recruited even though Kay was retired for the first five years that Jay was active. Anyway, yeah MIB 1 will always be a classic to me, both a 90s classic and sci-fi/comedy classic.

[@matthewdaley746]

Cast would violently disagree.

[@darthgoku90]

@@matthewdaley746 Well behind the scenes drama is nothing new in Hollywood unfortunately. Doesn't always make the final product unwatchable though.

[@matthewdaley746]

@@darthgoku90 Not, always, majority, however.

[@darthgoku90]

@@matthewdaley746 Well it depends on what the drama is about. Creative differences isn't the worst kind, though sheer abuse is another story of course.

[@matthewdaley746]

@@darthgoku90 Truly nasty scourge period.

[@maxpiemuse9584]

2 gets too much hate. I enjoy it.

[@RayMcElroy50]

WTF happened to Barry Sonnenfeld?

[@matthewdaley746]

Wild Wild West, and, unlike Will Smith, he's not bulletproof that's a career completely obliterated unquestionably.

[@wstine79]

He has done little producing for TV shows like Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events and the Tick 2000.

[@matthewdaley746]

@@wstine79 Career ruination just unquestionably.

[@NeoConnor1]

2016. The movie Nine Lives.

[@matthewdaley746]

​@@NeoConnor1Absolute Career Killer unquestionably.

[@yasyreyes6785]

The blonde non alien looks just like the stringy haired henchman to Dr. frankenfurter in Rocky horror picture show. And they are all aliens getting ready to return to their planet in that movie 🤩

[@adsmith0423]

Each of these movies is a reflection of the time in which it was made, rather than a continuation of the last film

[@jazdeon]

Marvel does own the rights to the Men In Black comics and movies. They should add the MIB into the MCU sometime

[@muziqpoet86]

The fact that they built the fourth movie around these two characters who's worked in marvel movies showed that they really didn't have a plot. They were just counting on these twos chemistry to make the film and didn't work AT ALL.

[@atwunz]

Next transporter. They need to bring that back with Jason.

[@matthewdaley746]

Jason Statham's way too busy with making sequels that really don't need to happen, that part of his career's finished.

[@tag1462]

I think what killed this franchise was the not so subtle MU crossover. I'm talking about how the Avengers got shoehorned into it. Which would have made some sense if handled right. It wasn't.

[@ericokonkwo7771]

Imagine if the MIB existed in real life, its not that far fetched, we probably won't know because we been memory wiped so many times, interesting plot twist!

[@ajmauser]

Does anyone else find it odd that the main reason why J was recruited was because he chased down an alien?

[@sheepshagged]

We are not hosting an intergalactic kegger down here

[@chewysaiditfirst]

I really wanted to like international... You definitely broke that one down right😞

[@matthewdaley746]

It suffered from, Sequelitis, and, Franchise Fatigue, and, unlike, TFATF, it didn't require nearly as many films to wear out its welcome.

[@Zachalackalackalack]

Holyshit I completely forgot David Cross was in this movie

[@tribblemaster9304]

It may not be a popular opinion but I think looking back on it the second movie pretty much killed this franchise- it was the second movies “meh” response from people that caused a third around 10 years to get made (probably because they weren’t even sure if people wanted a third film) and then the third film underperformed domestically due to lack of interest leading to the forth film/reboot.

[@matthewdaley746]

Precisely, the film only morphed into a franchise because of runaway success, MIB3 was more a Surprisingly Improved Sequel than an Even Better Sequel because The Bar Was The Floor.

[@MyNameIsDanielYT]

i didnt enjoy International when i first watched it upon release. Since then ive come to love it . Its nothing like the Original , but still honestly a fun movie.

[@DougUnfunny]

I like 3 more than 2, but 1is the best.

[@m3m3sis]

if you enjoyed extreme ghostbusters, jackie chan adventures or gozilla -series, you'll enjoy the mib animation. the same animation studio behind 'em all.

[@m3m3sis]

men in black international seemed to me like a ripoff of MIB The Series E26 The Blackguard Syndrome

[@JoseLuisRenteria]

1-3 is classic 4 was a reboot it was fine. Ppl always have feelings of previous attempts and can never get over something new

[@uzetaab]

I was so disappointed that Laurel was not Jay's partner in the 2nd film that I couldn't get past it, and I only really like the first film.

[@Bozek10]

All three Men in Black movies & series are amazing compared to the MIB International.

[@panelsandbars]

You definitely need to revisit the animated series. It's great.

[@thecunninlynguist]

I was hoping the story of mib international would align with the alpha story from the cartoon. Liam Nessom sorta looked like alpha

[@purplebanana6420]

I kind liked the 4th movie 😊

[@mr.shyryhud1659]

Hear me out, PS4 Spiderman map, but it’s a Men in Black video game.

[@MBRETION]

They should make a movie abt the real MIB, and it obviously should be a thriller, not a comedy

[@willrunriot]

MIB was my favorite movie when it came out, I saw it in theaters several times. 3 is great too, Josh Brolin nailed it as a young Tommy Lee Jones/Agent K. 2 was ok, and International has to be about the most forgettable thing ever. I know I watched it. I know I didn’t like it. But I can’t for the life of me remember anything about it except Channing Tatum and no Smith/Jones.

[@jazzphotos]

MIB: International was so disappointing, and it made me kind of sad because I really liked the idea of seeing how other countries handle dealing with the aliens / extraterrestrials in this universe. Tessa Thompson's character was really the only character that I liked... I thought she was a fun wish fulfillment character. There were many many kids who saw the first Men in Black, and wished they could grow up to be part of that organization, and that's how I saw her character. Most of the other characters were boring or annoying to me. Although it was good to see Emma Thompson as Agent O again.

[@colorin81colorado]

Tesa Thompson, what a franchise killer!

[@matthewdaley746]

This is exactly what happens when Michael B. Jordan isn't there to distract you from her severe lack of talent.

[@DeeDeeKL]

there was a fourth MiB?! ... btw: the Cartoon was good ;-) (and I don't think it was mentioned at all)

[@matthewdaley746]

Obliterated cast, no explanation.

[@Danton1990]

I was 11 minutes and 30 seconds into this video about a Will Smith movie franchise and I hadn't thought about "The Slap" a single time. Not gonna lie, pretty disappointed in that joke.

[@Danton1990]

Okay, future me here, at 23 minutes is the PERFECT TIME for that joke. 😂😂😂 Now I'm mad because i can't decide if it is funnier because you'd already brought it up once, or would it have been funnier if that was the first time.

[@jazzphotos]

Even though it wasn't my favorite, there were a handful of things that I really liked about MIB4... I think the reveal of Liam neeson's character being an alien the whole time could have been really cool if they had picked an actor who actually committed to the role. Also, I think Hemsworth was definitely weak link. He really needed to be the logical straight man to Tessa Thompson's wide-eyed, eager to please newbie agent. But because hemsworth's character is essentially a cocky a******, and Liam neeson's character doesn't seem to give a f***, we have no emotional weight at the end. I did think that grown-up Tessa meeting the grown-up alien she saved was really cute and heartwarming though. One of the better scenes.

[@danalantz5191]

I absolutely love the first three. I never even bothered watching the fourth one because I feel that without Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones it's just not a real Men in Black movie. From the clips that you've shown I'm glad I didn't see it. You're right it looks like it's a dumb movie.

[@Graterstuuf]

Unable to watch Wilma Smith movies anymore without feeling a sense of nausea.

[@mikev1759]

Hader was not an alien, the aliens in the start of one were not aliens(only one), Kay was not a legend in the twilight of the organization, and a few other mistaken observations make me wonder how much of a fan you are. Or was your script not proofread? Very first time I've felt the urge to comment negatively to any joe blow content. May be nitpicking, but I'm a huge fan of that franchise, and your channel's great videos.

[@rigelb9025]

Holy F*ck. You've just made me realize this movie (at least the first one) is actually about illegal immgration & migrants. And as of right now in the States, this theme couldn't be more relevant.

[@johnortiz1964]

In the first movie it's shown that Will Smith's is now known as J The letter J as it shortens James down to J... not Jay. Picky ? yeah... but it's my final answer and I'm sticking with it.😁

[@TravonClark]

Bro. I'm glad I'm not tha only one that sees MIB as Ghostbusters in a sense in terms of tha comedy and writtin. Hell, MIB2 is goofy as fuck just like Ghostbusters 2 and both of em had a 5yr gap to get a sequel. Honestly, tha MIB are like tha extraterrestrial version of tha FBI/CIA and tha Ghostbusters are pharanormal versions of firefighters/pest control.

[@LeonardoKlotz]

F. Gary Gray is a decent director But not the right one for MIB

[@Omar-wq9dz]

There was a lot behind the scenes drama on that, where the producer took over and kept giving new script pages, alongside clashing with Gray

[@onemorechris]

often sighted by Will Smith fans as an example of a film he did that’s good…which says a lot about how bad Will Smith is that even his fans can’t think of something he’s done this century worth of mention.

[@CodyFairlessLee]

I love the original MIB trilogy and I thought INTERNATIONAL was a decent spin-off, but it was still underwhelming in comparison. I skip the animated series even though I've seen a few episodes. If they're going to make more movies, make them with Will Smith or here's a great spin-off idea... MEN IN BLACK: FRANK & PAWNY. Have those two team up in a HOBBS & SHAW style movie and you could have a gold mine on your hands.

[@jimmicks8185]

The light of zartha ,not zortha smh

[@allenleanhart5503]

Mommy this one is eating my popcorn

[@kieth1284]

Obviously 4 wasn’t great but I think you missed the point that Chris hemsworth was supposed to be great but there was something wrong with him and that’s why they keep saying he’s been acting different. I don’t remember what it was but I think that was the plot

[@matthewdaley746]

A larger problem is, everything he's starred in except for Thor has flopped, critically, and/or, commercially.

[@kaylemjoseph8727]

Its goated

[@chasehedges6775]

👍👍👍👍

[@makatron]

1 and 3 are amazing, 2 missed the mark completely.

[@Zombiesnyder13]

KRAVEN THE HUNTER will be awful It has the same writers from MIB INTERNATIONAL AVI ARAD ruined everything again

[@marcjameswhelan]

Bot

[@chasehedges6775]

It’s sad that Will Smith ruined his career. Loved him in these films

[@Omar-wq9dz]

I’m sure in time he can make a comeback, but the controversy will still be around him during the early stages of his potential comeback

[@ladya3302]

His career is not ruined.

[@jimmicks8185]

Jada ruined his career smh lol

[@NeoConnor1]

He will bounce back. He's too charming to not to.

[@KatieLHall-fy1hw]

He is very lucky to be so charismatic that he will be okay. The rest of us plebs aren’t so lucky (I watched MIB this week and still appreciated it)

[@bballstar30]

It’s funny how the narrative doesn’t see the irony in Chris. He’s like George W. Bush versus his brother Jeb. One wants to be president the other was just more likeable but boo boo you’re a President

[@MrGabeanator]

i love the first 2 films the 3rd was meh annd i never saw the 4th also i love the cartoon

[@matthewdaley746]

Cartoon jinxed cast unquestionably.

[@c-j-p]

I wish they used Alpha rather than Boris for the 3rd movie. The Alpha parts in the cartoon were the best part of that series. Alpha going back in time would make sense for the character. He was Kay's arch nemesis.

[@matthewdaley746]

The cartoon is cursed, the voice actors for, Agent J, and, Agent L, have no credits beyond, 2022, and, 2002, respectively, truly sad, period.

[@c-j-p]

@@matthewdaley746 Lien was the reason why I watched Voyager. And it was likely Kangaroo Jack, not MIB that finally ended Diamond's voice-acting career.

[@matthewdaley746]

@@c-j-p Highly likely, hard to believe that it was based off of a film that somehow got Jerry Bruckheimer to bankroll it, not remotely his finest hour.

[@alba4203]

❤❤❤

[@theenchiladakid1866]

It got woked, that's what happened

[@NeoConnor1]

Define woke.

[@josephschenkenfelder1876]

The cartoon was the best one.

[@matthewdaley746]

Inexplicably obliterated cast's careers.

[@Cazz8203]

Not defending mib 4....I never seen it....I think this franchise is over rated. But that crack at Liam neesons performance.....for F*** sake I wish people would stop acting like they know anything about acting. He was boring? Try listening to your own commentary during this video essay. Were you forced to do this? Being a KZbinr does not make you an expert on acting.

[@matthewdaley746]

Franchise based upon earnings-overachievement.

[@cadillacdeville5828]

I never cared for the series.. but i genuinely enjoy Tommy Lee in almost everything.

[@chasehedges6775]

Tommy Lee Jones is a fabulous actor 😊

[@uploead]

Jeffrey? Really?!

[@bballstar30]

Just eliminated the black woman who saved the universe 😂😂😂😂 wtf was that ending

[@clairegresswell]

I had no idea there was more than one film, to be honest.

[@bd_black3829]

for me the cartoon are better than mib International

[@Menice1153]

Didn't they scan everyone that went into mib headquarters? I ask Because how TF did Liam neesons character hide that Shit 🤦🏾‍♂️🤣🤣...that movie was TRASH!!🗑️🗑️🚮

[@matthewdaley746]

His involvement was bewildering.

[@Geovrz]

Men in black 4 is a good idea but the casting and the writing are very awful

[@thealcohologist8624]

Eh, id just stick with the first. Everything else is just lame

[@chasehedges6775]

3rd film is good

[@thealcohologist8624]

@@chasehedges6775 Honestly, if it came down to the third movie or something else, Id go with something else every single time.

[@chasehedges6775]

@@thealcohologist8624 that’s fair