Men In Black 3 Review

Director: Barry Sonnenfeld

Cast: Tommy Lee Jones, Will Smith, Josh Brolin, Jermain Clement, Emma Thompson

Certificate: PG

Running time:106minutes

Synopsis: Upon breaking free from the Lunar-max prison Boris the Animal (Clement) travels back in time to kill his jailer Agent K (Jones), revive his extinct alien race and destroy the Earth in the process. With the fabric of time warped it’s up to Agent J (Smith) to pursue Boris back to 1969 and save the planet and his partner with the aid of a younger Agent K (Brolin)….

Time travel is one of cinema’s greatest plot devices; inevitably leading to wild flights of fantastical imagination, brilliant what if scenarios and noodle cooking-paradoxes. Not only that, but Barry Sonnenfeld has got to be one of the great directors of quirky/cultish comedy for all the family. And without a doubt Will Smith is the quintessential popcorn cinema movie star. Surely then it’s a foregone conclusion that MEN IN BLACK 3 will be great? Yes boys and girls, it is!

The MEN IN BLACK franchise has always been about entertainment, and the latest instalment blends the familiar settings with brilliant comedic dialogue – all effortlessly delivered by the great cast. Whilst Smith and Jones’ onscreen rapport is in full swing, excellent additions have been made to the line-up, particularly Jermaine Clement’s (FLIGHT OF THE CONCORDS) villain, Boris, whom is dastardly fun from start to finish. Brolin is brilliant as a young Agent K, and kudos to the pitch-perfect casting. Emma Thompson plays O, leader of the MIB and does a great job of delivering laughs when essentially lumped with all the expositional dialogue. Keep your eyes peeled for a few nice cameos too: Tim Burton and Lady Gaga are lurking the background, and Will Arnett makes a brief appearance as Agent Double AA! MIB3 is just as good as the first film and a darn sight better than the poopy sequel (marred by cheap sight gags, a far too chatty pug, and that jackass Johnny Knoxville) What’s especially great about this movie is the plot; unlike most garish family-fun blockbusters MIB3’s premise is solid and engaging, whilst remaining funny and sweet.

Despite the fact the movie is high concept sci-fi/comedy, the focus is on something far more human and intimate. It essentially examines the relationship between J & K, and the former’s frustration with his partner’s surly nature. The audience are subtly lured  in as J ponders why K is the way he is, whilst time-travel plot adds as nifty pinch of dramatic irony, as the viewer knows all will become clear. It’s brilliant to see the pair back together, with Smith’s rubbery goofball-isms hilariously bouncing of Jones’ stony and world-weary agent. Sadly, Jones’ screen-time is limited by the narrative, but Brolin’s version of the character more than makes up for this. Brolin is also a terrific mimic (as demonstrated in the underappreciated movie W); he nails Jones’ mannerisms, voice, and delivery, but also adds his own take on the character. Whilst young K is essentially the same as the older version, he is far more chipper, open, and human. This all adds to the anticipation of wondering: what will happen to turn the man so sour? In this way MIB3 is uniquely a prequel within a sequel. And the climactic moment doesn’t disappoint with the answer to K’s ‘attitude problem’. In the end it’s sweet and surprisingly moving (THN very nearly squirted a few tears).

Also, the movie’s 1960s backdrop makes for a great entertainment, there is lots of fun to be had with knowing nods to conceptual sci-fi design of the age, plenty of socio/political gags (Jay’s salute to a group of Black Panther members being THN’s fave) but best of all is that it’s not overly exploitative (a la AUSTIN POWERS). MIB3’s period setting weaves a story together without ever being contrived, seamlessly linking Agent K to J, and the Apollo moon launch with the planet’s safety.

Ultimately MEN IN BLACK 3 is popcorn cinema at it’s best – a playful and witty piece of filmic ephemera that takes the imagination on a fun journey.  MIB3’s action is a little grittier than previous incarnations, and there are even a few swear words this time around. The franchise’s visual style has been neatly updated to meet a contemporary audiences expectations without losing the  trademark breezy humour and slick storytelling.

Fun for all the family and worth a trip down to your local multiplex

  MEN IN BLACK 3 is release 25^th May