Pauls Valley, Oklahoma —
Success is a funny thing for any movie franchise and spread out over enough time, those who enjoyed the early greatness will soon find themselves as classic as those roots. Considering I was a middle school student when the first film of this franchise hit theaters 15 years ago, It seems I’ve hit the latest in a growing list of starting to feel old milestones.
Still, I was rather excited to hear that this series was getting one more chance to wow audiences and hopeful it would improve upon a so-so sequel to one of the best sci-fi comedies of my generation. Thankfully, I was able to breathe easy after seeing this and in some ways find myself more of a fan than I was when those big brother muthas first busted caps in alien baddies. “Men in Black 3” not only revives an idea left to rot in cinema wasteland, but is just a fun adventure I fully intend on making a repeat experience.
It wasn’t so much the plot where Agent J (Will Smith) has to go back in time to save the life of Agent K (Tommy Lee Jones) that was the clincher, but seeing a young version of K (Josh Brolin) so well portrayed in the trailers. It’s downright eerie how spot on K is shown in his youth with every single mannerism, dry humor joke and even the voice, which almost makes one forget there are two different actors for the same character.
The story heads in this direction due to the lunar prison escape of notorious alien scum named Boris the Animal (Jemaine Clement), who has spent the last 40 years waiting for a chance to get back at K and ensure global destruction for putting him there. Thus begins a marathon to make sure history ensures humanity’s survival, even if a few changes reveal truths better left alone. One of the neatest things about this third chapter is the way it brings everything full circle including heartwarming as well as hilarious backstory and how the government agency got to where it is now.
In fact, the movie almost places itself for a couple of scenes in the same greatness realm as “Blazing Saddles” for being able to take sensitive political areas like race and keep everyone laughing. Then again, it wouldn’t have been quite as genuine if they’d ignored the obvious implications of placing Agent J in 1960s America.
In the end, I’d without a doubt recommend this as a Summer must see and is appropriate for the whole family. The only thing missing this time is the lack of main theme song by the former rapping co-star. This brings my final verdict for “Men in Black 3” to a well earned four and a half out of five invasions.
Movie viewing experience courtesy of the Royal Twin Theater of Pauls Valley.
Arts
Related Photos
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Artwork for "Men in Black 3," showing this week at the Royal Twin Theater of Pauls Valley. Amblin Entertainment, Columbia Pictures.
Discussion
'Men in Black 3' abducts genius all over again
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