Men In Black 3 Review

Men In Black 3 Review

Will Smith must be getting a sore back after carrying so many movies. I Am Legend, Seven Pounds, The Pursuit of Happyness and Hancock would not be half as good (or as popular) without him. He has superb, Oscar worthy acting talent and his movies over the last few years have reflected this.

So it surprised me when it was announced he'd be returning to the Men In Black series after establishing himself as an actor with more capabilities than the 'funny sidekick' role. After 2002's somewhat disappointing (but still worth watching) Men In Black 2, the franchise seemed dead and gone, and our Fresh Prince had moved on to bigger and better things. 

Well I'm happy to report that Men In Black 3 has taken the series to a new high, revitalising the trilogy with fresh faces and a genuinely absorbing, exciting and fun film. At 109 minutes, the movie doesn't outstay its welcome and provides enough heart and humour in equal measure to keep us both emotionally invested in the characters and genuinely intrigued in the story.

Deadly alien Boris 'The Animal' (Flight of the Conchord's Jemaine Clement) escapes from a maximum security intergalactic prison with the intention of killing Agent K (Tommy Lee Jones) as revenge for shooting off his arm in 1969. Discovering this, Agent K muses that he regrets not killing him, and upon returning to his apartment, all traces of K's existence suddenly disappear.

Josh Brolin fits in seamlessly as Young Agent K

Arriving at MIB Headquarters the following day, Agent J (Will Smith) discovers he is the only one who remembers K, and sets off on a mission back in time to alter the past and save his partner's existence. Tracking down Boris in 1969, J is captured by a young Agent K (Josh Brolin, who performs an astoundingly acute impression of Tommy Lee Jones) who is at first suspicious of his motives. Discovering that his future is in danger, Agent K agrees to help Agent J alter the past to save not only his own future, but the future of the planet.

It's a very intricate plot, and the movie plays out better because of it. Adding time travel into any fictional story opens up a wealth of possibilities, and it is something the Men in Black movies really needed. It's pulled off brilliantly, especially with the huge emotional twist towards the end concerning the relationship between K and J. There are also a wealth of comic moments to ensure the film is as lighthearted as its predecessors, executed well by Smith and aided by Brolin's straight-faced responses.

Boris means business, albeit with cheesy dialogue

Unfortunately, however, some moments still fall flat. Boris, while menacing enough, often comes across as tacky; some of his dialogue sounds like it could have been adapted from the ramblings of a Disney villain. Also, a character which perplexed me was Griffin, the alien who could see multiple futures at any given time. He doesn't really serve any purpose other than to provide slightly eerie and foreboding warnings to the principal cast about what could happen if they change the future. He's given a little too much screen time for a side character who we never really feel emotionally invested in. Frank the talking dog is also sadly missing from the proceedings despite acting as a rather prominent source of comic relief in the first two installments.

Really, the only other complaint I can make is the soundtrack - why, Will Smith, why did you let Pitbull of all people take over as chief songwriter for the movie's promotional track? His headache-inducing 'Back In Time' song makes me yearn for the original soundtracks once again. Imagine the nostalgic hype induced by another legendary 'Men in Black' theme song, written and performed by the Fresh Prince himself!

Galaxy defenders!

Summary

Overall, however, Men in Black 3 is a fitting and fantastic third (and potentially final) helping of an incredibly fun and enjoyable movie franchise. It's exciting to see Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones back in action together once again, and Josh Brolin is a welcome addition to the cast. Great performances, a truly engaging, fun story and an added dose of nostalgia make Men in Black 3 a hugely enjoyable film.

8/10

By Dean Johnstone

Twitter: @DJJohnstone

Email: dean.james.johnstone@hotmail.com