Lackluster overall but with quite an original ending

Rating: 6/10 (24 May 2012)

The whole "time-travel" thing did not really work for me. I mean one must tread ever so lightly and delicately with great care when putting premises of time-travel on screen. The idea itself may sound interesting but it may not probably be a good idea even if you're a pure science-fiction purist or in the written words. For the H.G. Wells' classic novel, maybe but it did not even work well for its screen version of the 2002 Guy Pearce's THE TIME MACHINE. And it definitely did not work well for this one either. Thus, I was right to be skeptical about having time-travel plot in this movie. See the danger lies of the whole time-travel thing to be both tacky and cheesy if it was not done tastefully and it shows in MIB³. Though I must admit that this is after all a movie with great emphasis on visual effects and they were no doubt pleasing to the eyes; the storyline, on the other hand, was not quite as impressive as the first two films.
This one appeared to display that lackluster performance on screen especially with the absence of Rip Torn as 'Agent Zed'. Perhaps, this is one of the aspects that MIB³ did not "feel" like MEN IN BLACK at all. And it was that conspicuous.
I was also hoping that with Emma Thompson's appearance in this version would add that certain freshness to the film particularly a bigger credit to her range of roles where Thompson was usually typecast as playing a lady of prim and proper mannerisms in period dramas. Yet it did not happen for this third installment. Her on screen time was too brief and it seemed to be a little "off" for a female agent with a British accent in this supposedly a film about an American governmental organization. Moreover, there was almost no further development in terms of the romantic chemistry between her character and that of Tommy Lee Jones' 'Agent K' whom the former played Jones' love interest as told in the 1960s part of the movie as opposed to the rigid boss of the present day. Strangely though, I do appreciate her hairdo in this movie. It was sophisticated and good enough for a female corporate leader.
As seen in earlier MIB films, there were scenes of cameos appearing in the movies like the late Michael Jackson (or perhaps his double) in MEN IN BLACK 2. This one is no less impressive with the voluptuous and buxom lead vocalist of the Pussycat Dolls, Nicole Scherzinger, at the start to whet any guy's appetite for the film; and trust me, she was hot as hell. There was also moments where you could see Lady Gaga appearing on an overhead monitor in the MIB Headquarters; and if you're attentive enough you would be able to spot a moment of renowned director Tim Burton (whose dull DARK SHADOWS certainly bore me to tears).
All in all, although MEN IN BLACK 3 was so much better than the dull DARK SHADOWS it somehow felt nothing special to me.
But credit has to be given for ending of the film, which was probably the most original part of the movie, as the real relationship between Will Smith's 'Agent J' and Tommy Lee Jones' 'Agent K' was revealed and it came full circle as to link their true relationship.
Whatever it is if you have some money to spare and are dying to see MEN IN BLACK 3, see it for the blockbuster aspect of it. Other than that, do not expect much.