Men in Black II film review

certificate_PG

MEN IN BLACK II

The old adage states, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. With Men In Black raking in more than $600 million, there was clearly nothing broken. But by not fixing anything, Men In Black II simply repeats the formula without possessing the freshness of the original. There is still much to enjoy as Smith and Jones renew their droll partnership. There's a seductive new foe, Serleena, in the alluring form of Lara Flynn Boyle and an expanded role for the wise talking pug Frank, but little that viewers of the first film haven't already seen.

Lowell Cunningham's comic strip idea for a government agency, the dapperly dressed Men In Black, who protect the citizens of New York from the various aliens that inhabit the city, has given director Barry Sonnenfeld and make-up artist Rick Baker a licence to create a fascinating world inhabited by some truly outlandish aliens. From the 600ft Jeffrey, who resides in the subway tunnels, to the more diminutive and friendly Worm Guys, who are partial to the odd game of Twister, the bewildering range of creatures make the freaks that New York is traditionally famous for seem dull by comparison.

Men In Black II is more interested in smart one-liners and special fx than anything resembling a plot. For what it's worth the story involves the tentacled evil alien Serleena, who has returned to Earth in the guise of a Victoria's Secret model, along with her two headed colleague Scrad (Johnny Knoxville), to look for a special light that had been hidden since 1978. The only agent who knows its whereabouts is Agent Kay (Tommy Lee Jones). Unfortunately Kay has left the employ of the Men in Black after having his memory erased and is now working in a post-office in Massachusetts. Under orders from his boss Zed (Rip Torn), Agent Jay convinces Kay to return to the agency, have his memory restored by use of a "deneuralizer" and save the world from the lingerie-clad nemesis.

The blend of Smith's casual charm and Jones's wry approach provides Men In Black II with some welcome humanity amidst the weird but rather characterless array of aliens. There is even some romantic interest for Jay who finds himself smitten by Laura (Rosario Dawson), a witness to one of Serleena's deeds of villainy.