It is humor that drives this

Rating: 7/10 (9 July 2005)

I agree with the current commentator on this site that this movie is generally weak in character development and story; however, I don't believe it's milked. Frank is so damn funny and engrossing, the movie was bound to be a hit. Frankly I love the damn dog. He throws one liners, has great scenes (especially while driving around with J), and even converses naturally about women. The best line has to be "I'm attracted to her and she's not even my species." It was clear J was smitten and Frank, ever smitten with J and MIB, called it. He's not a new personality, but he's not old and he's not overused.
Tommy Lee Jones is talented and can stretch any character. He starts humorous, which should have been natural and was, before giving way to his prior character. This again was how it should have been - - it was readjustment. Will Smith may have garnered acclaim for "Ali," and regardless of reviews and appearances, looked decent in "I, Robot;" moreover, he has grit in this movie. Particularly, he is quite good in the beginning before settling into his typical, but still engaging antics. The Jeff part that transverses to the pie sequence is followed by major desperation in J's character. It's unforeseen and initially awkward; however, as his relationship with Laura festers with possibility it becomes more natural and fitting. K gave that to us in the end of "Men in Black" with his obsession of stars. The first movie rushed that and it was a bit contrived, but Jones was able to slow it down and make it work.
How J keeps "Putty" (come on he has no other name, although he isn't a bad actor) for five months as his partner, is beyond me. Especially because K trains J in two days in the first film. The reason it gets me is how awkward they still are and how dumb he still is (although J hits on this).
Before I get to Lara Flynn Boyle, I have to express disappointment in Bo Welch. The costumes of the aliens weren't horrible, but rather really out there and unable to be taken seriously. The first time the aliens were real and the movie rough, but this time it's all about the humor. The aliens designed to bring in K for Lara's character are horrible (a ball-chinian? It's somewhat humorous but it gets ruined when K performs a improbable kick. Even worse is Rip Torn's paddle on Lara Flynn Boyle). The problem with this movie is it is so jokey. I can't stand the automatic driver, and why is a playstation controller the only thing that can commandeer this damn machine at hyperspeed? Overall I love Jack Jeebs, Knoxville's character is forgettable, Ben is cool for five seconds (I get the feeling he cares), Dawson is decent, but K and J are still the men. This movie was focused on J and his definite struggle, not MIB, and that is why the story isn't the focus. But how did David Cross elude being neuralyzed in the first movie? The movie works when the characters act, not when they say choice lines. It's balanced fairly well. And K still throws out some cool guidance to J and leaves the possibility for a MIB III, or MIIIB, if so desired.
Lara Flynn Boyle is not bad, but the woman in power line is just poorly delivered, but fitting because it is Men in Black. She honestly seems dumb because she wastes 25 years and still doesn't locate the light; Knoxville's character does. She works though, especially toward the end and is bright enough to use her sexuality to her advantage. Not to mention her stuffing her face is kind of funny to keep tracking. And the robot alien is wickedly, wickedly cool (while K and J are apparently clairvoyant). Mostly I say enjoy this movie because you should laugh and you get a decent story.