When
a movie makes as much money as Men in Black, you can damn well bet that there
will be a sequel. Sadly, it seems, money is the only thing that seemed to inspire
this lifeless follow up.
In
Men in Black II, Will Smith re-recruits Tommy Lee Jones back into the M.I.B. because
of some useful information that the now postal worker has in his head. Reunited,
the fearless duo must do battle with an alien life form that wants to take over
the world (how original).
I
really enjoyed the first Men in Black. I didn't think it was greatness, but I
did enjoy it's lively spirit and hilarious inside jokes. Men in Black II, by comparison,
is pretty forgettable. I don't want to give the impression that I hated this picture.
I didn't. It has it's charms, but most of the time, I found myself bored.
Will
Smith has proven time and time again that he's likable and charismatic with the
star power to carry a film (with exception of maybe Wild Wild West). Here, he
can't seem to find a rhythm. He's just going through the motions. Tommy Lee Jones
can't do anything to elevate the material either. While these two fine actors
have shown that they have good chemistry, Men in Black II does not allow them
to showcase it. Lara Flynn Boyle is attractive but makes for a dull villain, while
Johnny Knoxville (from MTV's Jackass) doesn't seem to have a purpose in the film
at all. The rest of the cast clock in at such a minimum amount of screen time,
that they are unable to shine.
What
has happened to director Barry Sonnenfeld? He seems really disinterested in finding
good material to work with. I enjoyed Get Shorty and also liked his adaptations
of The Adams Family. Lately, however, I've become increasingly bored by his films.
I'm starting to think that he's bored also.
Although
there is one bit part in this picture that really made me laugh. It was obvious
to be sure, but just the fact that the studio got him to commit is hilarious in
itself. Alas, every time an interesting idea or funny situation is introduced
in Men in Black II, the film makers are compelled to ditch it before it has a
chance to gel. Instead of getting more out of Men in Black II, we just get more
of the same.
And
once again, here we have a film in which impressive special effects seem to be
the draw. Men in Black II offers much more effects work than it's predessesor.
Why couldn't they channel a little more energy into the screenplay? At least Spider-Man
and Attack of the Clones tried to tell a story.
I
wouldn't call Men in Black II a bad movie but of all the big summer films thus
far, it is certainly the most forgetable. Quite frankly, this movie always seems
as if it's in a hurry to end. If you blink you'll miss it.
The
tag line for Men in Black II reads; Same planet, new scum. It should simply read;
Same movie. Old jokes.
