Tessa Thompson soars in the new Men In Black movie

The critics came, the critics saw and the critics panned. The public came, paid $247.1m (to 13 July) to do see and ensured that, given a budget of $94-110m, Men In Black: International is most certainly Movie in Black.

‘Why do it in the first place,’ asked many of the former group? It’s an odd question, given that the same people have been lauding Toy Story 4, which really is pretty much the same plot as in the previous three outings.

Part of the answer is because it’s been some time, because the idea of alien life fascinates no less today and it’s an entertaining concept.

This latest instalment comes seven years after Men in Black 3 in 2012. The first film was released in 1997 and the second in 2002.

But critics and the cinema-going public are different beasts (I’ve been in both camps over the years).

Repetition and familiarity are not always bad – certainly from fans’ perspectives. The Star Wars reboot needed a film that was pretty similar to 1977’s A New Hope to get people excited after George Lucas had, for many people, wrecked his own creation by wanting to take it in a different direction from the first trilogy.

And not everything has to be an art house masterpiece or something that provokes philosophical contemplation.

Against this background, then, is Men In Black: International really such a disaster?

The answer is simple: no, it’s not.

It is not the greatest film ever made – but anyone expecting it to be is a fool. In my not-remotely humble opinion, it lags in the second quarter after a decent opening – but hey, folks ... then it really picks up.

First – the plot: it’s aliens v humans: what else does anyone expect? And see my earlier point about Toy Story 4.

Second, what it absolutely does do is confirm that Tessa Thompson, who plays Molly Wright/Agent M here, has serious star quality and can hold a movie. She has a great co-star in Chris Hemsworth and a fine supporting cast, but this very much feels like Thompson’s film and she does not let the opportunity pass.

The look is good, the new, key villains (or maybe not) aren’t obviously pleasant and neither is another member of the MIB, so one could argue that this is a step toward a more nuanced MIB.

Oh, the hell with it – it’s just fun and if you’re looking for something more, stay away.

And if there's another one – I'll go. Particularly if Thompson is in it.

And Pawny.