Bring the Kiddies...Men in Black III is BACK!!

It was fifteen years (1997) ago when the first Men in Black movie hit the big screen, presenting a winning pairing of Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones as the “odd couple” partners who protect the Earth against the scum of the universe. It would be jammed packed with action, special effects and some heavy doses of comedy all rolled into one. Director Barry Sonnenfield returns five years later for a sequel, and then takes a chance with a third film. Finally a decade later, Men in Black III is materialized and takes advantage of a pointless 3D format to deliver the latest installment of the famous series.

The sci-fi comedy Men in Black III strikes again with the return of Agents J (Will Smith) and K (Tommy Lee Jones) in a new adventure centered on the escape of the villainous alien “Boris the Animal” (Jemaine Clement). “Boris the Animal” flees from a lunar maximum prison and seeks to take revenge on Kay for his imprisonment, the dismembering his arm, and furthermore extinguishing his fellow aliens and their planet. All the while, J and K continue to protect the Earth from destruction and chaos.

In the film, we get to see J and K’s relationship get pushed to the forefront as we witness a deeper exploration into each of their characters, backgrounds and their friendship. The above factors alone help the film immensely, and save it from being a mediocre effort that relies solely on the charisma of the actors and further washing everything down in CG. Although the CG was slightly overwhelming, there are still some surprises that come from the effects, which thankfully are not exposed in the trailers, and that's a good thing. More than likely much of the visual graphic work went into recreating the USA 60s scenes, as well as sprucing up the alien designs (in this third installment the aliens look far more imperiling and repulsive especially with Boris the Animal).

All the characters seemed to mesh very well and have a great chemistry together, expectedly with J and the older version of K (Jones who is mainly in a supporting role in this film). And with the introduction of the younger K (Josh Brolin) they just seem to fall right into place as partners in the past, the Smith-Brolin pairing was definitely a winner for this film. Lest, I not forget Josh Brolin is a dead-ringer visually and in personality for Tommy Lee's K during his youth. Also Clement (Boris the Animal) embodies the main villain quite convincingly by possessing this dark and trembling personality along with his characters deadly force, which I’m rather shocked at for a PG rated film. And joining the cast in extrusive, though limited roles, include Emma Thompson as Agent O (taking over as the new MIB Chief with the passing of Zed), Alice Eve playing the younger O, and both Michael Stuhlbarg (Griffin) and Mike Colter (Colonel) adding intensity to the “MIB mythos”.

Even after 4 years of being absent from the big screen (Seven Pounds & Hancock were his last films in 2008), Will Smith shows that he has not lost his touch and still has what it takes to be in a potential blockbuster hit. As an MIB veteran, he’s able to still naturally portray the likable Agent Jay with a lot more polish as compared to when he was first recruited.

The films primary achievement is its characterization, the narrative, and the mood and tone of the film. Men in Black III is an easy-going, light-hearted, fun film that stays within the “outer limits” and does not try overload you with an exaggerated comedic script. Although this sci-fi comedy is great for the family please note that there may be some indirect material that is inappropriate for children under 15, it might just go over their heads, nonetheless it is still worth seeing for the whole family. 

Rating: 7.5 out of 10