Men in Black v1.1

Rating: 5/10 (28 July 2003)

Yes, it's sequel time again! I finally got around to watching this recently and I have to say I think I've found the perfect way to enjoy any movie. First, you have to listen to all the negative reviews of the film, then go and see it. You'll be expecting something so dire that the reality will be a pleasant surprise, nay, even enjoyable. Such was the case with MIB2.
That said, though, this has to be one of the most blatant "let's redo the first movie" sequels that I've ever seen.
Let's recap...
In the first movie the MIB have to recover the "galaxy on Orion's belt" or the Earth will be destroyed. The love interest comes in the form of a morgue worker who falls for Will Smith. There's a big-ass alien monster that the MIB have a showdown with at the end. There's a scene with the MIB's car flying.
In this sequel the MIB have to recover the "light of Zartha" or the Earth will be destroyed. The love interest comes in the form of a waitress who falls for Will Smith. There's a big-ass alien monster that the MIB have a showdown with at the end. There's a scene with the MIB's car flying.
You begin to get the idea? This isn't so much of a sequel as a blatant remake. The Italian Job remake is more different from its original than MIB2 is from its predecessor.
Having got that out of the way, the film still manages to amuse, though there are moments where it does make you groan rather than laugh, the jokes being so predictable. But still, it has its moments. Frank the Pug is one of them. There's also more screen time for Tony Shalhoub's "Jeebs" character this time around, though there are only so many times you can see his head explode and grow back before it gets stale.
Tommy Lee Jones seems to be totally bored this time around. One wonders if he was dragged kicking and screaming back to the set due to contractual obligations. His usual deadpan delivery really did look as if he wished he were dead.
Overall though, nothing spectacular. I have to say that I'm finding it increasingly difficult to feel any sympathy with Hollywood studios over movie piracy when they churn out such blatant money-spinners as this.
Never mind. Let's just hope there isn't a MIB 3!