Men in Black 2

Men in Black II (2002)

* 1/2 (out of 4)

Boring and bland sequel has Earth coming under attack from a dangerous alien (Lara Flynn Boyle) so Agent Jay (Will Smith) must bring Agent Kay (Tommy Lee Jones) out of retirement. I really wasn't sure what to expect out of this sequel but the very, very, very last thing I did expect was something boring. I must admit that I was really shocked to see how bland and downright bad this movie was as sadly it's yet another example of a sequel to a good movie being about nothing more than money. The original film was smart, clever and funny in regards to the subject matter but this sequel just lacks any sort of originality and it's really nothing more than a copy of the original. What's so sad is that there could have been so many good and interesting story ideas but sadly we're just given a copy of the first film and we even get many of the same jokes. It's funny to think that the jokes worked so well the first time but here they're just annoying and unfunny. I think the majority of the blame has to go towards the screenplay, which is just a mess. It's never funny, never makes too much sense and sadly it's clear that very little went into it. The performances outside of Tommy Lee Jones really aren't all that memorable either. Lara Flynn Boyle has no problems looking sexy but her character is bland. Rip Torn isn't given much to do and the same is true for Johnny Knoxville and Rosario Dawson. The incredibly bad love story with Dawson is just an embarrassment. MEN IN BLACK II even features some very poor CGI effects and in the end this is just a rather worthless movie that isn't worth the trouble.

This movie is the sequel of course to the hit movie "Men In Black". I gave this movie a six, but I felt like being generous (I probably should give it a five). This movie is short. I mean really, really short. There is a short that preceded the movie so that tells you how short this movie is (the short got more laughs than the movie I think). I went to this movie knowing how short it was, but it just went by so fast and the movie was a bit unmemorable that it was a waste of time to drive to the theater. There was no time for character development or much story development. In fact, the opening credit scene itself took four or five minutes. The story has Smith's character trying to get the memory back of Jones character to battle an alien threat. For the most part there isn't much that is funny in this one, but there are a few scenes to make a person chuckle. Then there is the pug dog. I think it had the same screen time as Tommy Lee Jones. It was funny in small doses, but its role was expanded way too much for the sequel. Johnny Knoxville's character was lame as was the main villain, which had looks but no funny dialogue at all. Tony Shaloub is back, and once again his character's role is small and underused. So all in all this is an inferior sequel by all means with just enough to look at to keep you from getting bored. If they ever make a part three, please let them get a director who is capable of making a movie.

If i had to pick a favourite of the excellent MIB Trilogy it would have to be the first MIB, because that 1997 movie is a Nostalgia-filled Classic. A cozy go-to film.

But, This silly sequel is a fun ride i visit often, & has the glory of being one my most watched movies of all-time (atleast in my top 5 most watched, along with i, Robot, MIB, Dragnet & Ghostbusters 2) It's definitely the most Cartoonish, childish & silliest of the franchise but its also a lot of fun & has a big heart. With all it's silly faults, MIB2 is still a fun good-time of a sci-fi adventure buddy comedy, & a movie i still get excited about when catching it on TV. Simply a true feel-good movie from a time i knew & felt comfortable in, today's world is crazy.

There's bits that's not so good, & it's no masterpiece or Classic, & definitely doesn't have a better villain than Edgar in the first film. But there's still stuff to enjoy. MIB2 is a film i go to as my comfort watch, my other comfort films are the likes of: Dragnet & Ghostbusters 2 & i, Robot (to name a few) but there's something so nice about this Men In Black sequel. Although the 1997 MIB is the best of the franchise (it's a Classic) i still go to the mostly unloved sequel because it's got a short running time & it doesn't have to explain the characters origins as we already know it all, it's simply straight into a fun story of extraterrestrial action. With it's gorgeous comforting beginning music score (by Tim Burton's go-to-composer Danny Elfman) to its lovely atmosphere of a summertime evening (at night) of a July in 2002 in New York City's Central Park. The opening of MIB2 has always had a warm comforting affect on me. Maybe because I've watched this movie so many times late at night when i wanna just chillout & relax with a cup of Coffee. MIB2 has definitely become a comfort film of mine. Maybe i have an attachment to this film because it was the first film i ever saw at the Cinema on my own, Or maybe because I've come bk to this particular lighthearted sequel many times when I've felt down or felt lonely, & this fun film gave me comfort. Anyway before i overexplain my love for a film/sequel that hardly anyone likes, i just need to say that i appreciate Men In Black 2 more so today as i look bk fondly on it with Nostalgia of a more simpler time, back in 2002, for movies & the world (except for the terrible attacks of 9/11 when the world changed forever).

Basically a fun good-hearted buddy-cop movie but with Aliens as their villains, & that's the great MIB formula right there. Lara Flynn Boyle is great as main villain Serleena, obviously not as good as Edgar, but she definitely makes an impact as a memorable villain. I felt Lara gave a very good, seductive, villain performance.

MIB2 is made in the mould of the buddy-cop genre, as we get an older more jaded Agent Jay that is feeling lost & lonely in the universe & is going through partners like a cop in a doughnut factory. The setup is pure Cop film stuff & i loved it. Come to think of it, MIB2 is one of my favourite films of all-time, it stands tall in my top 10 faves list.

MiB2 is actually a sweet flick & full of heart, probably even more so than the first film (but part 2 is way, way more goofy, silly & OTT)I also think that this is one of the most likeable Will Smith has been, Will is a known good-hearted & very likeable movie star & here as Jay in this sequel Smith gives his most loveable, likeable & most friendliest performance. Jay here is lost in the universe, he's lonely & misses his best friend & mentor Kay, & Smith delivers the emotions throughout his sad eyes & deep thoughtfulness (as seen in the bench scene), there's real human moments sprinkled throughout this big budget FX adventure & it's Smith that's the beating heart of the piece. MIB 2 has a very brisk running time that shoots by & is just pure big special Fx driven good-hearted fun. Because of it's short running time, i actually used to watch the movie then rewind it (remember doing that?) & watch it again. I find this sequel to be a very cheerful piece of Escapism. This Cartoonish sequel makes my all-time top 10 fave films list, that's how much i like it. This sequel is a soothing & relaxing comfort film that i continue to come back to even after 20 YEARS!!! Men In Black 2 has definitely earned it's place as one of my all-time favorite films. Yes, MIB 2 is a flashy sequel that is OTT, silly, goofy, childish & yet full of heart & warm charm, it's a sequel that's simply nice.

MIB2 is a film i have a strong connection with as i was lost & lonely & didn't know my place in the universe at the time the film came out. I felt just like Jay did & so i watched the film every night during that summer & it gave me some sort of comfort.

Big Nostalgia for MIB 2, a movie i watched the hell outta when i got it on video. Memories of this film os of warm summer nights & i was up late downstairs on the sofa & watching MIB 2....evey night throughout that summer. Sometimes in life for certain personal reasons you grip onto a certain movie & that movie becomes a comfort to you & that was MIB 2 for me for a long time.

A very fun filled fantasy-Comedy that is underrated, but i loved it & it was really nice seeing Agent J & Agent K back together with alot of fun silly humour & some cool action, there's exciting fx & cool Aliens that make this a totally entertaining & very light entertainment.

Of course the 1997 Masterpiece will always been known as the Classic & nothing could beat the best movie villain ever "EDGAR" that gross alien bug was absolutely hilarious & expertly performed by Vincent D'Onofrio, a truly outstanding performance. But MIB 2 just has such a lighthearted fun mood that makes it enjoyable still. Nothing will beat the 90's Classic though.

There's still alot of good elements in this sequel to like such as the bigger role of Frank the pug & the more fun role of MIB boss Zed played perfectly by the legendary Rip Torn (R. I. P to one of the greats) & the beginning subway scene with Jeff the worm & the sweet relationship between Agent J & Laura (Rosario Dawson) & even evil Serleena is witty & good fun, even though she's not as great as the excellent "Edgar Bug" from the first film. Also the bumbling henchman Scrad/Charlie is well, very silly really played by Johnny Knoxville but there's always a lighthearted sense of fun to his silly performance.

"MIB 2" is no masterpiece or a Classic, but i dig it so much anyway, like the first film, & I'm not saying it's perfect because it's not as the main villain is no where near as good as Edgar the bug & some bits are too silly & very childish such as as Frank the pug barking to the terrible song "Who let the Dogs out?" I can't stand that song!!! & some of the humour is abit too kid-friendly but those are small miner complaints for an otherwise easy watching fun film that is nearly always entertaining. At a brisk, short running time of under an hour & a half, MiB2 moves quickly from fun special fx sequence to the next & introducing new creative creatures. I do find MIB2 to be a special film for me & one i will always enjoy.

Now when it came out i remember going to watch this at the cinema on my own but i didn't care because Will Smith was & still is my idol & childhood hero, i was obsessed with the first film so no way was i going to miss part 2, also i love the look of the warm summer night time scenes of New York City it's beautiful, also the warm chemistry is there again when Kay finally comes back & of Course Will is great again as Jay.

Some little scenes i loved like the scene where Jay sits on a bench after a battle in the subway with the alien "Jeff" & he's sat there feeling so lost in the universe & it's a nice summer night in the lit-up beautiful city, it's just a lovely touching little scene, it's bits like this that i really enjoyed about the sequel, bits that show alot of heart.

Also the great TOMMY LEE JONES is great back as Kay & he gets some really nice touching moments sprinkled throughout this fun sci-fi comedy sequel that moves very fast with it's brisk under 90 mins running time.

MiB2 is simply a short, fun sci-fi blast of silly-goofy comedy & colourful special effects.

I also think i have such big love & Nostalgia for this particular movie because i watched it so much at different times in my life, MIB 2 became a comforting movie for me as i remember feeling so lost & lonely in the world just like "Agent J" at the beginning of the movie, i kinda related to the character & Will's performance, it's a special film to me, even though I'm aware its not exactly a great film, it has its problems.

There's something special about Will Smith for me though as i grew up with the "Fresh Prince of bel air" & his excellent rap music, so Will Smith is something of an icon to me & abit of a positive role model, his films have gotten me through some tough times & MIB, MIB 2, I,ROBOT, WILD WILD WEST, ENEMY OF THE STATE & BAD BOYS are probably the most important films of his to me for personal reasons, those flicks I've watched so many times at my most lost & loneliest but "Big Will" was Always there keeping me comforted on screen. MIB 2 is warm special fx comedy that i just i enjoy.

MIB2 simply fun, nothing super special but happy & enjoyable & a truly lovely comfort film, to me anyway. No it's not as well made or as done as the Classic first film, but it is colourful Cartoonish fun.

If ever I'm not sure what to put on i will nearly always go to MIB 2 & that's why it's my most watched movie of all-time, probably more for Nostalgia reasons but the flick always relaxes me & i just really like the flick.

My Take: Not as wildly enjoyable as the first, but makes a terrific sequel.

Summer movie sequels are usually the victims of the "sequelness". Most sequels to big blockbuster hits tend to simply repeat the success of the first film, and simply recycle the formula of its predecessor. MEN IN BLACK II (or simply MIIB) is no exception. It practically repeats the formula of the first film: Aliens are out again, J (Will Smith) and K (Tommy Lee Jones) are back as partners to fight against it and the whole lot. The formula is copied, but the same cannot be said about the rest of the film. There are new rabbits in this same bag of tricks. Although most innovations are of special effects, MIIB provides some new fun moments in a somewhat formula approach.

Like said, MIIB returns Smith and Jones as the dynamic duo out to stop an alien, a creature called the Kylothian, who takes the form of a lingerie model (Lara Flynn Boyle), who, guess what? Trying to take over the world. of course. This is nothing new in comparison. It's mostly just a retread of the previous film. But few of these "been there, done that" sequels are fun in a different way. This one is, and it's actually surprisingly entertaining. The new script by Robert Gordon and Barry Fanaro contains a number of effective puns which elevates the humor from other formula sequels.

Of course, there are new and colorful special effects from mostly the same crew of the original film. The effects by effects house Industrial Light & Magic and make-up artist Rick Baker are still outlandish and imaginative. They still give us a host of aliens and creatures that we can feast our eyes upon. Not much imagination went to the storyline and characters, but a lot was certainly invested upon the effects and visuals. Kudos for director Barry Sonnenfeld, production designer Bo Welch and much of the special effects crew for providing a colorful atmosphere that bursts with liveliness in an otherwise formulaic episode of summer sequel season. It's the same old thing, but with new fun.

Rating: ***1/2 out of 5.

3 July 2002. Men In Black II is one of the truly unique films in that it is both better and worse than the original. I admire the risks taken to make this movie more interesting but at the same time it bombs in some of its overly cute lines and plot-ploys. I laughed heartedly in spots, more than I have in a while, but that other times, I could only shake my head at how dumb and flat some of the one-line moments were. One fascinating directing, script technique that is rarely seen in a comedy is the use of silence, the prolonged pause and the use of facial expressions, and the moment to carry the scene. This approach usually worked in this movie, which I think is saying a lot because it is extremely difficult to pull off successfully most of the time and it takes good acting and directing to do it. There was more tender moments in this movie than the original - better serious, moments. Both actors were great in their acting, acting in the difficult parts where body and facial expression counted more than dialogue. There were times that Wil Smith never completed his lines, but with great success. I would have to say overall, Men In Black II wasn't a great movie, but it was entertaining, interesting, took risks, and broke new comedic ground in bringing back real comedy and one-liners that sometimes died, but just as well, were brilliant. A great worthwhile attempt. A must for home video or should I say DVD now.