Review of Men in Black 3 (2012) by Durell B — 17 Sep 2014

There are few franchises that work repeatedly with no alteration to the subject matter, there are fewer franchises audiences will still find endearing. Men in Black III is not apart of that few. The original was fresh and was a very fun ride.

One worth taking more than once. Unfortunately, lightning rarely if ever strikes in the same location. MIB II was a highly anticipated sequel that provided less than stellar results. It was just as loud and visually stimulating without being fun or creative.

The villain was boring and not nearly as appealing as she was marketed. Actually she was not appealing at all. Not intellectually or physically. If you're going to sexually entice a man, it would help if that person were not Lara Flynn Boyle who is pale and unattractively skinny.

Box office results for the sequel while not being disappointing were not nearly on the level of the first. Audiences for once caught on to a lesser product hatched in typical Hollywood fashion which is less story, more action.

Clearly enough is never enough because Barry Sonnenfeld, director of all three films felt a third film to be necessary. A third outing with not so worthy Will Smith box office numbers. Again, less than the sequel.

I'm not stating that bigger or lesser box office determines a films worth as that would be a tremendously inaccurate statement. What I'm stating is this is a rare property that appears to showcase declining interest in its results.

I will give MIB III props where deserving. First, the choice of Josh Brolin as a younger K (Tommy Lee Jones) was brilliant. Josh Brolin embodied Jones in every frame and was easily the best part of the film.

Second, using time travel made for new territory and a fresh idea. Third, a heartfelt and satisfying ending that was unexpected. Where MIB III goes wrong is a case of been there, done that. Fatigue. Not so much from the audience but the players.

Will Smith does not give a bad performance but it felt tired and mundane. Most of the jokes were there but just didn't hit home. More so, I like this villain less than the second film. Being menacing and weird is one thing but when there is no substance to this disorder you fall under just being plain stupid.

He used the same phrase every scene that never got any better and added no value to his character. A well done attempt but lackluster. A third Men In Black was not wanted or needed, so making it was pointless.

When you're going down a road that has been traveled twice before with a less than mediocre second run, it may help to take an alternate route. Or just leave well enough alone.