Men In Black 3 review

The hype...
It's been 15 years since the first film burst onto our screens. Will Smith has gone on to star in a string of blockbusters and Tommy Lee Jones hasn't exactly been starved of work either. This time there is the introduction of time-travel, Josh Brolin and 3D so it will certainly be bigger. The trailer promises some laughs and thrills, but can it improve on the flat second instalment in the franchise?

The story...
Agents J (Will Smith) and K (Tommy Lee Jones) are back, patrolling the streets of New York and saving the planet from every alien threat out there. Of course, K still refuses to open up and let anyone in, and their superior, O (Emma Thompson) hints that something deeper is going on in there.

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There's little time to waste on trivial matter though as Boris The Animal (Jemaine Clement) has escaped from a moon prison and is determined to deliver retribution on K, the man who put him behind bars.

As Earth comes under attack, J is forced to hurl himself back in time to assist a 1969 version of K (Josh Brolin) to avert catastrophe. Will this trip back in time help both men come to terms with their present day troubles?

The breakdown...
The third 'Men in Black' film is actually not a bad summer flick, but with the likes of 'Avengers Assemble' around, that’s just not good enough any more. There is an additional problem, as one of the series mainstays is phoning in a tediously lethargic performance.

Tommy Lee Jones' apathy for this film is infectious. He gives it zero effort and it's evident from his first moments on screen that he would rather be anywhere than in this trashy blockbuster. By the time his character is written out of the main story  - thanks to a cumbersome time-travel mcguffin – you'll be hoping he doesn't come back. Ever.

Jones is replaced by a more youthful, energetic version of himself played with great skill by Josh Brolin. The trailer gives away his pitch-perfect impression of the older actor, but Brolin still has a tough job in aping all the little mannerisms and quirks. He does it expertly, although you can't help but feel that the impact is lessened by the trailer reveal.

Emma Thomson is introduced before being given a quick makeover and turned into British hottie Alice Eve. As a result we get very little of either star, which is a shame because they both have a few moments in which they shine. Thompson in particular has a great comedic set piece early on, and it's a shame she leaves at the end of the first act.

At the core of this film is Will Smith, who manages to give it his all once more. Given less comedy to rely on, Smith proves he can convey genuine emotion. This comes into play in an unexpectedly moving climax that gives us a sense of closure we never knew we wanted. Other than that this is still a pretty average film, but it is significantly better than 'Men In Black 2'.

The verdict...
Low on laughs and packed with far too much exposition for its own good, a late dramatic shift is the saving grace of this regulation sequel. Stick a fork in Tommy Lee Jones though, he is done with this stuff.

Rating: 3/5

'Men in Black 3' is released in the UK on 25 May. Certificate: 12A.