Review of Men in Black II (2002) by Manny C — 12 Jun 2012

The most lasting thing about Men In Black II is easily the Michael Jackson cameo. What's weird too is that he isn't even playing an alien. It's pretty much the only surprise too in this tepid sequel to the 1997 hit. Let's face it, this movie was conceived in total desire for a quick paycheck. The first MIB was released in '97, this one arrived in in 2002 mainly because stars Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones were holding out for a major payday. This is no inspired sequel, it's purely marketed and mechanical.

It's a credit to Smith and Jones' talents that they manage to not looked zombified in this movie that is essentially a compendium of over-the-top scenes. Agent Jay (Smith) is now a basically the hotshot number one agent at the Manhattan headquarters of the Men In Black, run by Zed (Rip Torn, a delight), the agency that policies alien activity on earth. This is because Agent Kay (Jones) had his memory zapped and retired as a post office worker. It's a kick to see Jones teaching folks how properly wrap packages. Smith too is at his feistiest, likely since this was his follow up to his Oscar nominated role as Muhammed Ali in Ali. He continually steals the show. Jay wants his partner back however, instead of always being stuck with talking pug dog Frank (voiced by Tim Blaney), who comes equipped with a potty mouth and a jones for cigars, and sniffs like a pervert canine when Jay starts falling for Laura (Rosario Dawson), a witness to a major alien attack.

The script from Robert Gordon (Galaxy Quest, yay) and Barry Fanaro (The Crew, no thanks) strains hard to make us realize anything is actually at stake, such as earth being obliterated if the Light of Zartha falls into the hands of Serleena (Lara Flynn Boyle, sassy) a literal man-eater and Kylothian creature who takes the form of a Victoria's Secret model, aide dby her two-headed henchmen Scrad/Charlie, both played by Jackass Johnny Knoxville. The chemistry between Smith and Jones is still spot on, as is the amazing creature effects from Rick Baker (The Worm Guys are especially eye-popping). Even Tony Shalhoub returns as Jeebs, whose head grows back after Kay blows it off. And look out for that alien race living in a locker in Grand Central Station.

Director Barry Sonnenfeld (who helmed the first film) revels in it all, and at least turns in a much better effort than his previous two duds, Wild Wild West and Big Trouble, but with Men In Black II, he isn't so much directing actors and a script, as he is directing traffic, cramming the film with whatever tickles his fancy. It's pure escapism, but not in a good way.