Reuniting director Barry Sonnenfeld with most of the original film's cast, MEN IN BLACK II picks up with alien-monitoring secret agent Jay (Will Smith) in a rut. Weary of the isolated life of an MIB operative, Jay continually fires new partners until MIB director Zed (Rip Torn) teams him up with the talkative pug Frank (voiced by Tim Blaney). Together they investigate an "alien-on-alien" murder witnessed by the lovely Rita (Rosario Dawson), who Jay immediately falls for. The case eventually leads Jay and Frank to track down agent Kay (Tommy Lee Jones), who now works at a rural post office, completely unaware of his former life. Unfortunately, it's what Kay can't remember that may save the world from destruction at the hands of the shape-shifting alien Serleena (Lara Flynn Boyle). As Jay attempts to jog the memory of the reluctant Kay, Serleena takes over MIB headquarters, building up to a big New York City showdown. A fast-paced follow-up to the 1997 sci-fi comedy, MEN IN BLACK II sticks to its guns, offering up more action, aliens, and intergalactic weirdness. This time around Smith and characters such as Frank and the wisecracking worms are the focus, although Jones makes the most out of his screen time with his deadpan persona thoroughly intact. And, as with the first movie, MIB II features plenty of enjoyable scenes, including an underground romp involving a subway-sized alien and Frank the Dog's head-out-of-the-car-window rendition of "I Will Survive."
While a sequel to 1997's hit Men in Black was a financial inevitability, its quality was less easily guaranteed. Original director Barry Sonnenfeld is back for this second sci-fi comedy outing and he's on reliable, if cautious, form. Echoing his Addams Family movies, Sonnenfeld demonstrates the advantages of building on an established franchise. It's a case of “if it ain't broke, don't fix it”, as the smart-suited alien immigration agents Jay (Will Smith) and Kay (Tommy Lee Jones) return to save the planet, along with other familiar supporting players (including the hilarious talking pug Frank). This time, however, it's a super sexy Lara Flynn Boyle who's causing the cosmic chaos as evil alien queen Serleena. Her restrained performance lacks depth and menace, and adds no meat to an already emaciated plot. For fans it won't matter — there are enough flashy special effects, colourful alien life and sharp humour to keep them happy. But, despite Smith and Jones's practised, witty bantering and bickering, you can't help feeling that this is the least everyone concerned could have done.
Radio Times
