Men In Black II, Stuck In Shadow Of Original
Men In Black II
Rated PG-13
Kent's Grade: B-
Carol's Grade: C+
The Plot:
The covert government agency Men In Black (MIB) protects earth from alien threats. Agent Jay (Will
Smith) has just fired another partner, erasing his memory with a neurolizer. Jay is leashed with Frank
The Pug (voiced by Tim Blaney) as a replacement, but Agent Eff is more trouble than help.
While investigating a routine alien crime, Jay and Eff stumble upon a world-threatening plot. Assigned
the task of saving earth, Jay soon learns there is only one person, the legendary Agent Kay (Tommy
Lee Jones), who has the necessary knowledge to accomplish the task. The problem is that he was
neurolyzed five years ago, and now works as an overly efficient, small-town postmaster.
After retrieving Kay and de-neurolyzing him, the two agents set out to stop the evil Serleena (Lara
Flynn Boyle) from enslaving earth.
Kent's Take:
"Men In Black II (MiBII)" brings back the best parts of 1997's "Men In Black," and adds a few more
favorites this time around. Unfortunately, it also drags along with it some retread and predictability.
What made the original "MIB" work so well was the perfect blend of characters, the chemistry
between them, and great performances by Jones and Smith. Couple that with wonderful aliens,
bubbling with personality, who are nestled in everyday life and you have a world full of adventure and
entertainment.
"MiBII" reprises the lovable characters with all the gadgetry we expect, plus it introduces us to more
hidden aliens. Jay continues to lecture his neurolyzed victims with hilarious diatribes, even though he
has matured into a senior MIB agent. Jay's new partner, Frank The Pug, steals the movie with great
lines and an overwhelming presence.
Where "MiBII" falls short is in the writing. The chemistry that overflowed between Jay and Kay in
"MIB" is lacking here. Screenwriter Barry Fanaro does a great job writing new moments of magic
with Frank The Pug and the Worm Guys, and even with Jeebs, the pawnshop owner.
The weak areas are when elements from the first film are incorporated into this story. With huge
aliens grabbing and swallowing subways, alien ships and MIB, these Maalox moments are overdone,
predictable, and unnecessary. Headquarters has almost nothing new to explore. We gain no new
insight into Jay or Kay, and the MIB have very little meaningful contact with aliens, barring their
encounter with Jeebs.
I can picture it now. Moviegoers will be met outside the theater by MIB agents with neurolyzers
making everyone forget "MiBII." Using all the elements that made "MIB" a hilarious hit, this new
story just couldn't pull these elements together. While this rocket-paced, laugh-riot will win audiences,
the simple reality is - "MiBII" is not as good as the original.
CAROL's Take:
It's 96 degrees out. Heaven knows what the heat index is. The tar on the streets is bubbling up in the
beating sun. Is there no relief from our relentless St. Louis summer?
Yes, there is - in an air-conditioned cinemaplex near you. There, with popcorn and drink in hand, you
can slide into your chair, and cool off in the dark, watching the amusing "Men In Black II."
This movie doesn't burden itself with trying to touch your heart, and it certainly makes no pretense
about engaging your intellect. Therefore, it's freed up to be delightfully ridiculous - succeeding enough
of the time to qualify as pure entertainment.
While "MiBII" promises a wee bit more than it can deliver, it keeps things pretty simple. Unlike a
movie that incorporates actual narrative, it's unnecessary to have seen the first installment to know
what's going on in this sequel.
"MiBII" just asks that the audience not expect too much. Then, it delivers a special effects bonanza
and mindless romp that is fanciful, funny and fun.
© 2002 Webster-Kirkwood Times, Inc.
Movie reviews by Carol Hemphill and Kent Tentschert
reelworld@timesnewspapers.com