How many times are these stars going to keep going to the well? I understand that some of them have to, but a juggernaut like Will Smith doesn't need to do it. Unless of course there's that small chance that he could improve on the previous sequel. Which wasn't that hard to do with "MIIB". And afterall, it's still "Men in Black" we're talking about so it was worth me giving it a shot.
In "Men in Black III", Agents J (Will Smith) encounters one of his toughest alien criminals yet when Boris the Animal (Jermaine Clement) escapes from prison. Boris wants more than just the typical dream of destroying earth. He wants to destroy the man who ruined that dream for him years ago. That means going back in time to assassinate Agent K (Tommy Lee Jones). It's up to J to stop him which means going back in time to team up with the young Agent K (Josh Brolin)
First off, let me say that Brolin was absolutely BRILLIANT. This guy never ceases to amaze me. He was spot on perfect as a young version of Jones. It was like I was watching the husband from "Coal Miner's Daughter" being a MIB agent. It was fitting that he was in more of the movie than Jones himself. It was slightly more fun watching a Jones in his prime than Jones as he is.
I was rather impressed with the new villain in this one as well. Again, a far cry better than the shoddy one they had in "MIBII" played by Lara Flynn Boyle. Although not near as good as Vincent D'Onofrio's epic portrayal in the first one. But that's the original we're talking about so they weren't topping that one. Boris wasn't much on charisma for a bad guy, but they gave him some pretty nifty powers. So much so that I'm still wondering how they were able to capture him in the first place.
The humor overall was pretty much 'eh'. There were moments but nothing to have you bust a gut laughing. Too many times it seemed as though Will was trying too hard to be funny. He does much better when he doesn't force it. Much like the small part Michael Chernus had as a store owner. No clue who the guy is but his small role nearly stole the whole show. Both him and Michael Stuhlbarg as Griffin.
They would be wise to have "Men in Black III" end the series as a trule trilogy. It had wrapped everything up nice and neat just as a true trilogy closer is supposed to do. But we all know it depends on how it does at the box office. Folks will go see it because of both the brand name and the names involved. I doubt few will see it for the reason I did which was to see how Brolin would do. If that isn't the reason they're missing out. Even though we know Will is the star, it was his supporting cast that made this one passable.
My rating: B
