SEQUEL LESS THAN EQUAL

Rating: Null/10 (8 July 2002)

MEN IN BLACK II (2002) ** Will Smith, Tommy Lee Jones, Lara Flynn Boyle, Johnny Knoxville, Rosario Dawson, Rip Torn, Tony Shalhoub, Patrick Warburton, Tim Blaney (voice) (Cameo: Michael Jackson) Lackluster sequel to the sci-fi comedy actioner with Agent Jay (Smith at his cockiest to date) re-enlisting a de-neurolized Agent Kay (Jones appearing to sleepwalk his way through this endeavor) to help the secret government agency save the world (again) from a threatening alien force (inhabiting the Victoria's Secret model visage of Boyle, an apt femme fatale) hellbent on destroying it. Rick Baker's make-up upstages the flimsy recycled plotline basically airlifted from its precursor. Show stealers, Frank the talking pug (Blaney) and the alien quartet - The Wormguys - provide the only suitable laughs in this sad misfire to a lucrative franchise. (Dir: Barry Sonnenfeld)