Better-than-expected sequel to the sci-fi comedy franchise; Brolin & Baker kudos for stealing the show.

Rating: 8/10 (8 June 2012)

MEN IN BLACK III (2012) *** Will Smith, Tommy Lee Jones, Josh Brolin, Jemaine Clement, Emma Thompson, Michael Stuhlbarg, Mike Colter, Nicole Scherzinger, Michael Chernus, Alice Eve, David Rasche, Bill Hader. Surprisingly decent sequel to the hindered sci-fi comedy franchise, this time with the ever vigilant Agent J (Smith in his now iconic role) trying to save his ever- taciturn partner, Agent K (Jones actually seeming to have some fun!) from a time-tripping alien, Boris the Animal (Clement getting in touch with his inner bad-ass), seeking vengeance by offing the senior agent. While the familiar storyline entangles the old chestnut of time travel a la the BACK TO THE FUTURE flicks, the real proof-in-the-pudding is the ingenious casting of the dead-on accurate Brolin as the younger K with pitch-perfect mimicry (he's a hoot). The sprightly moving (and shockingly sweet-at-times) screenplay by Etan Cohen burns on its vapors by the climax but director Barry Sonnenfeld (in a blink-and-miss cameo) has returned to form with some vibrant mix of 3-D, special effects, fun camera work by Bill Pope, Danny Elfman's great score and again, Rick Baker's amazing creature special effects for a galaxy of aliens (look sharp for him in an even more fun cameo as a bulb-headed being with his trademark ponytail!)