Tommy Lee Jones & Will Smith give great performances, but it is not enough to grasp the attention of its audience as it fails to garner the touch from its predecessor. Men in Black II lacks the originality and goes excessively in too deep on its already familiar settlement.
681 Reviews
A hasty 'grab-as-much-money-as-you-can' job
philip_vanderveken18 May 2005
Let me just start by saying that I normally like movies with Tommy Lee Jones and / or Will Smith in them. They certainly don't belong to the enormous group of average and unnoticeable actors, but have some kind of style and presence that I really can appreciate. But I'm afraid that's about the best thing I can say about them right now, because what they did in this movie was nothing but a hasty 'grab-as-much-money-as-you-can' job and I really don't like to see that.
"Men in Black II" starts four years later from where the first one ended. Kay has given up life as an agent and has returned to civilian life, working in a postal office, while Jay has continued to work for the 'Men in Black'. While investigating what seems to be a routine crime, Jay uncovers a diabolical plot masterminded by Serleena, an evil Kylothian monster who disguises herself as a sexy lingerie model. With their headquarters under siege and time running out, Jay must convince Kay, who no longer remembers anything of his time with the MIB, to rejoin the agency so they can save the Earth from being destroyed completely.
I admit that some of the special effects were nice to watch, but even that didn't always convince me. Some of the aliens were small masterpieces, others however seemed like a hasty job, unfinished by the people of the computer graphics department. The only possible explanation for that might be that they wanted to save enough money so the profit rate would be even larger. And the computer animations weren't the only one to suffer from that problem. The script writers didn't come up with any new things either. All they did was to repeat what worked in the first movie. It even seems like they didn't have the time to come up with a new and decent plot.
And yet not everything was that bad. The humor for instance worked, not always perfectly but it worked. Jokes like "It came with a black dude, but it kept being pulled over" when they talk about the automatic pilot in the Mercedes were funny. I even liked that dog singing on the front seat of the car, but overall it just wasn't enough to save the entire movie. No, if you are looking for a spectacular new movie that is full of great acting, a great story and some excellent computer animations, than you'll be very disappointed by this one. It just seems like they threw it together in a couple of weeks and that's why I can only give it a 6/10.
"Men in Black II" starts four years later from where the first one ended. Kay has given up life as an agent and has returned to civilian life, working in a postal office, while Jay has continued to work for the 'Men in Black'. While investigating what seems to be a routine crime, Jay uncovers a diabolical plot masterminded by Serleena, an evil Kylothian monster who disguises herself as a sexy lingerie model. With their headquarters under siege and time running out, Jay must convince Kay, who no longer remembers anything of his time with the MIB, to rejoin the agency so they can save the Earth from being destroyed completely.
I admit that some of the special effects were nice to watch, but even that didn't always convince me. Some of the aliens were small masterpieces, others however seemed like a hasty job, unfinished by the people of the computer graphics department. The only possible explanation for that might be that they wanted to save enough money so the profit rate would be even larger. And the computer animations weren't the only one to suffer from that problem. The script writers didn't come up with any new things either. All they did was to repeat what worked in the first movie. It even seems like they didn't have the time to come up with a new and decent plot.
And yet not everything was that bad. The humor for instance worked, not always perfectly but it worked. Jokes like "It came with a black dude, but it kept being pulled over" when they talk about the automatic pilot in the Mercedes were funny. I even liked that dog singing on the front seat of the car, but overall it just wasn't enough to save the entire movie. No, if you are looking for a spectacular new movie that is full of great acting, a great story and some excellent computer animations, than you'll be very disappointed by this one. It just seems like they threw it together in a couple of weeks and that's why I can only give it a 6/10.
More of the same, but just as fun.
vip_ebriega26 May 2008
My Take: Not as wildly enjoyable as the first, but makes a terrific sequel.
Summer movie sequels are usually the victims of the "sequelness". Most sequels to big blockbuster hits tend to simply repeat the success of the first film, and simply recycle the formula of its predecessor. MEN IN BLACK II (or simply MIIB) is no exception. It practically repeats the formula of the first film: Aliens are out again, J (Will Smith) and K (Tommy Lee Jones) are back as partners to fight against it and the whole lot. The formula is copied, but the same cannot be said about the rest of the film. There are new rabbits in this same bag of tricks. Although most innovations are of special effects, MIIB provides some new fun moments in a somewhat formula approach.
Like said, MIIB returns Smith and Jones as the dynamic duo out to stop an alien, a creature called the Kylothian, who takes the form of a lingerie model (Lara Flynn Boyle), who, guess what? Trying to take over the world. of course. This is nothing new in comparison. It's mostly just a retread of the previous film. But few of these "been there, done that" sequels are fun in a different way. This one is, and it's actually surprisingly entertaining. The new script by Robert Gordon and Barry Fanaro contains a number of effective puns which elevates the humor from other formula sequels.
Of course, there are new and colorful special effects from mostly the same crew of the original film. The effects by effects house Industrial Light & Magic and make-up artist Rick Baker are still outlandish and imaginative. They still give us a host of aliens and creatures that we can feast our eyes upon. Not much imagination went to the storyline and characters, but a lot was certainly invested upon the effects and visuals. Kudos for director Barry Sonnenfeld, production designer Bo Welch and much of the special effects crew for providing a colorful atmosphere that bursts with liveliness in an otherwise formulaic episode of summer sequel season. It's the same old thing, but with new fun.
Rating: ***1/2 out of 5.
Summer movie sequels are usually the victims of the "sequelness". Most sequels to big blockbuster hits tend to simply repeat the success of the first film, and simply recycle the formula of its predecessor. MEN IN BLACK II (or simply MIIB) is no exception. It practically repeats the formula of the first film: Aliens are out again, J (Will Smith) and K (Tommy Lee Jones) are back as partners to fight against it and the whole lot. The formula is copied, but the same cannot be said about the rest of the film. There are new rabbits in this same bag of tricks. Although most innovations are of special effects, MIIB provides some new fun moments in a somewhat formula approach.
Like said, MIIB returns Smith and Jones as the dynamic duo out to stop an alien, a creature called the Kylothian, who takes the form of a lingerie model (Lara Flynn Boyle), who, guess what? Trying to take over the world. of course. This is nothing new in comparison. It's mostly just a retread of the previous film. But few of these "been there, done that" sequels are fun in a different way. This one is, and it's actually surprisingly entertaining. The new script by Robert Gordon and Barry Fanaro contains a number of effective puns which elevates the humor from other formula sequels.
Of course, there are new and colorful special effects from mostly the same crew of the original film. The effects by effects house Industrial Light & Magic and make-up artist Rick Baker are still outlandish and imaginative. They still give us a host of aliens and creatures that we can feast our eyes upon. Not much imagination went to the storyline and characters, but a lot was certainly invested upon the effects and visuals. Kudos for director Barry Sonnenfeld, production designer Bo Welch and much of the special effects crew for providing a colorful atmosphere that bursts with liveliness in an otherwise formulaic episode of summer sequel season. It's the same old thing, but with new fun.
Rating: ***1/2 out of 5.
bland sequel
Buddy-5116 July 2002
`Originality,' is, almost by definition, a one-time thing. In 1997, the original `Men in Black' struck a nerve with movie audiences by showing that even a big budget blockbuster, heavily loaded down with state-of-the-art, computer-generated special effects, could still manage to seem light on its feet. The makers of that film pulled off this feat of gravitational legerdemain by coming up with a concept and a script overflowing with creativity, wit, imagination and a cachet of `hipness' to go along with its tone of anarchic playfulness.
Well, five years have passed and we now have `Men in Black II' to confirm what most of us suspected all along: that works that rely on `uniqueness' as their prime selling point are rarely ever able to duplicate their success a second time around. Five years can be a lifetime in pop culture and what seemed `cool' one summer can appear decidedly `old hat' the next. Without that aura of cutting edge newness that defined the original, `Men in Black II' seems like just another loud, over-the-top summertime blockbuster.
Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones are back playing Jay and Kay, agents for the government's top secret organization whose job it is to monitor the activities of the thousands of aliens who have secretly infiltrated earth's societies and to help protect the planet from any possible threat from interstellar space. Smith and Jones still appear to be quite comfortable in their roles and they are aided by Lara Flynn Boyle, as Serleena, the baddest alien this side of Darth Vader, and Rip Torn, delightful as Zed, the slightly cracked head of the Men in Black agency.
Although the special effects in this film are, as one would expect in this day and age, astonishing and virtually seamless, the same can definitely NOT be said for the film's screenplay. The story moves along at a fairly fast clip, but it rarely makes us laugh. In fact, the script comes across as undisciplined nonsense, lacking both logic and coherence. Unlike in the earlier film, we get the sense that literally everything here has been placed at the service of the special effects. There's an awful lot of running and bouncing around but rarely to any point or purpose. Indeed, we end up feeling at the end somehow more exhausted and drained than exhilarated and euphoric. It would appear that director Barry Sonnenfeld thought that if he could just keep the thing MOVING we wouldn't notice that he had nothing new to offer in this retread. It doesn't work. In fact, if `Men in Black II' shows us anything, it is that just because something MOVES doesn't mean that it can't bore us at the same time.
Well, five years have passed and we now have `Men in Black II' to confirm what most of us suspected all along: that works that rely on `uniqueness' as their prime selling point are rarely ever able to duplicate their success a second time around. Five years can be a lifetime in pop culture and what seemed `cool' one summer can appear decidedly `old hat' the next. Without that aura of cutting edge newness that defined the original, `Men in Black II' seems like just another loud, over-the-top summertime blockbuster.
Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones are back playing Jay and Kay, agents for the government's top secret organization whose job it is to monitor the activities of the thousands of aliens who have secretly infiltrated earth's societies and to help protect the planet from any possible threat from interstellar space. Smith and Jones still appear to be quite comfortable in their roles and they are aided by Lara Flynn Boyle, as Serleena, the baddest alien this side of Darth Vader, and Rip Torn, delightful as Zed, the slightly cracked head of the Men in Black agency.
Although the special effects in this film are, as one would expect in this day and age, astonishing and virtually seamless, the same can definitely NOT be said for the film's screenplay. The story moves along at a fairly fast clip, but it rarely makes us laugh. In fact, the script comes across as undisciplined nonsense, lacking both logic and coherence. Unlike in the earlier film, we get the sense that literally everything here has been placed at the service of the special effects. There's an awful lot of running and bouncing around but rarely to any point or purpose. Indeed, we end up feeling at the end somehow more exhausted and drained than exhilarated and euphoric. It would appear that director Barry Sonnenfeld thought that if he could just keep the thing MOVING we wouldn't notice that he had nothing new to offer in this retread. It doesn't work. In fact, if `Men in Black II' shows us anything, it is that just because something MOVES doesn't mean that it can't bore us at the same time.
MIB2
questl-185923 December 2022
Sequels are tough, but I honestly feel like MIIB pulls this off exceedingly well. It's not quite as good as the original but it still falls into that sweet spot of dark comedy, off-beat delivery and well acted performances. Smith and Jones are still spot on, the addition of Knoxville was very fun for me, Dawson adds a bit more warmth to the romantic interest than the dry wit of our mortician in the previous film and Boyle's portrayal of Serleena falls perfectly into the realm of weird but working that MIB is so good at.
The only reason I rate this one slightly lower than the original is because it doesn't quite hit me as hard as the first, doesn't resonate quite as much. There's nothing wrong, its just not quite at the same level of greatness.
The only reason I rate this one slightly lower than the original is because it doesn't quite hit me as hard as the first, doesn't resonate quite as much. There's nothing wrong, its just not quite at the same level of greatness.
Such A Lovely Comfort Film Of Mine. Silly, Cartoony But Full Of Heart.
lukem-5276022 July 2018
If i had to pick a favourite of the excellent MIB Trilogy it would have to be MIB. But This silly sequel is a fun ride & has the glory of being (probably) my most watched movie of all-time (atleast in my top 5 most watched along with i, Robot, MIB & Ghostbusters 2) It's definitely the most Cartoonish & childish of the franchise but its also a lot of fun. There's bits wrong with it as its no masterpiece or Classic & definitely doesn't have a better villain than Edgar in the first film but there's still stuff to enjoy. MIB2 is THE film i go to as my comfort watch, my other comfort films are the likes of Dragnet & Ghostbusters 2, but there's something so nice about this Men In Black sequel. Although the 1997 MIB is the best of the franchise (it's a Classic) i still go to the mostly unloved sequel. MIB2 is made in the mould of the buddy-cop genre, as we get an older more jaded Agent Jay that is feeling lost & lonely in the universe & is going through partners like a cop in a doughnut factory. The setup is pure Cop film stuff & i loved it. Come to think of it, MIB2 is one of my favourite films of all-time, it stands tall in my top 10 faves list.
MiB2 is actually a sweet flick & full of heart, probably even more so than the first film (but part 2 is way, way more goofy, silly & OTT)I also think that this is one of the most likeable Will Smith has been, Will is a known good-hearted & very likeable movie star & here as Jay in this sequel Smith gives his most loveable, likeable & most friendliest performance. Jay here is lost in the universe, he's lonely & misses his best friend & mentor Kay, & Smith delivers the emotions throughout his sad eyes & deep thoughtfulness (as seen in the bench scene), there's real human moments sprinkled throughout this big budget FX adventure & it's Smith that's the beating heart of the piece. MIB 2 has a very brisk running time that shoots by & is just pure big special Fx driven good-hearted fun. Because of it's short running time, i actually used to watch the movie then rewind it (remember doing that?) & watch it again. I find this sequel to be a very cheerful piece of Escapism. This Cartoonish sequel makes my all-time top 10 fave films list, that's how much i like it. This sequel is a soothing & relaxing comfort film that i continue to come back to even after 20 YEARS!!! Men In Black 2 has definitely earned it's place as one of my all-time favorite films. Yes, MIB 2 is a flashy sequel that is OTT, silly, goofy, childish & yet full of heart & warm charm, it's a sequel that's simply nice.
MIB2 is a film i have a strong connection with as i was lost & lonely & didn't know my place in the universe at the time the film came out. I felt just like Jay did & so i watched the film every night during that summer & it gave me some sort of comfort.
Big Nostalgia for MIB 2, a movie i watched the hell outta when i got it on video. Memories of this film os of warm summer nights & i was up late downstairs on the sofa & watching MIB 2....evey night throughout that summer. Sometimes in life for certain personal reasons you grip onto a certain movie & that movie becomes a comfort to you & that was MIB 2 for me for a long time.
A very fun filled fantasy-Comedy that is underrated, but i loved it & it was really nice seeing Agent J & Agent K back together with alot of fun silly humour & some cool action, there's exciting fx & cool Aliens that make this a totally entertaining & very light entertainment.
Of course the 1997 Masterpiece will always been known as the Classic & nothing could beat the best movie villain ever "EDGAR" that gross alien bug was absolutely hilarious & expertly performed by Vincent D'Onofrio, a truly outstanding performance. But MIB 2 just has such a lighthearted fun mood that makes it enjoyable still. Nothing will beat the 90's Classic though.
There's still alot of good elements in this sequel to like such as the bigger role of Frank the pug & the more fun role of MIB boss Zed played perfectly by the legendary Rip Torn (R. I. P to one of the greats) & the beginning subway scene with Jeff the worm & the sweet relationship between Agent J & Laura (Rosario Dawson) & even evil Serleena is witty & good fun, even though she's not as great as the excellent "Edgar Bug" from the first film. Also the bumbling henchman Scrad/Charlie is well, very silly really played by Johnny Knoxville but there's always a lighthearted sense of fun to his silly performance.
"MIB 2" is no masterpiece or a Classic, but i dig it so much anyway, like the first film & I'm not saying it's perfect because it's not as the main villain is no where near as good as Edgar the bug & some bits are too silly & very childish such as as Frank the pug barking to the terrible song "Who let the Dogs out?" I can't stand that song!!! & some of the humour is abit too kid-friendly but those are small miner complaints for an otherwise easy watching fun film that is nearly always entertaining. At a brisk, short running time of under an hour & a half, MiB2 moves quickly from fun special fx sequence to the next & introducing new creative creatures. I do find MIB2 to be a special film for me & one i will always enjoy.
Now when it came out i remember going to watch this at the cinema on my own but i didn't care because Will Smith was & still is my idol & childhood hero, i was obsessed with the first film so no way was i going to miss part 2, also i love the look of the warm summer night time scenes of New York City it's beautiful, also the warm chemistry is there again when Kay finally comes back & of Course Will is great again as Jay.
Some little scenes i loved like the scene where Jay sits on a bench after a battle in the subway with the alien "Jeff" & he's sat there feeling so lost in the universe & it's a nice summer night in the lit-up beautiful city, it's just a lovely touching little scene, it's bits like this that i really enjoyed about the sequel, bits that show alot of heart.
Also the great TOMMY LEE JONES is great back as Kay & he gets some really nice touching moments sprinkled throughout this fun sci-fi comedy sequel that moves very fast with it's brisk under 90 mins running time.
MiB2 is simply a short, fun sci-fi blast of silly-goofy comedy & colourful special effects.
I also think i have such big love & Nostalgia for this particular movie because i watched it so much at different times in my life, MIB 2 became a comforting movie for me as i remember feeling so lost & lonely in the world just like "Agent J" at the beginning of the movie, i kinda related to the character & Will's performance, it's a special film to me, even though I'm aware its not exactly a great film, it has its problems.
There's something special about Will Smith for me though as i grew up with the "Fresh Prince of bel air" & his excellent rap music, so Will Smith is something of an icon to me & abit of a positive role model, his films have gotten me through some tough times & MIB, MIB 2, I,ROBOT, WILD WILD WEST, ENEMY OF THE STATE & BAD BOYS are probably the most important films of his to me for personal reasons, those flicks I've watched so many times at my most lost & loneliest but "Big Will" was Always there keeping me comforted on screen. MIB 2 is warm special fx comedy that i just i enjoy.
MIB2 simply fun, nothing super special but happy & enjoyable & a truly lovely comfort film, to me anyway. No it's not as well made or as done as the Classic first film, but it is colourful Cartoonish fun.
If ever I'm not sure what to put on i will nearly always go to MIB 2 & that's why it's my most watched movie of all-time, probably more for Nostalgia reasons but the flick always relaxes me.
MiB2 is actually a sweet flick & full of heart, probably even more so than the first film (but part 2 is way, way more goofy, silly & OTT)I also think that this is one of the most likeable Will Smith has been, Will is a known good-hearted & very likeable movie star & here as Jay in this sequel Smith gives his most loveable, likeable & most friendliest performance. Jay here is lost in the universe, he's lonely & misses his best friend & mentor Kay, & Smith delivers the emotions throughout his sad eyes & deep thoughtfulness (as seen in the bench scene), there's real human moments sprinkled throughout this big budget FX adventure & it's Smith that's the beating heart of the piece. MIB 2 has a very brisk running time that shoots by & is just pure big special Fx driven good-hearted fun. Because of it's short running time, i actually used to watch the movie then rewind it (remember doing that?) & watch it again. I find this sequel to be a very cheerful piece of Escapism. This Cartoonish sequel makes my all-time top 10 fave films list, that's how much i like it. This sequel is a soothing & relaxing comfort film that i continue to come back to even after 20 YEARS!!! Men In Black 2 has definitely earned it's place as one of my all-time favorite films. Yes, MIB 2 is a flashy sequel that is OTT, silly, goofy, childish & yet full of heart & warm charm, it's a sequel that's simply nice.
MIB2 is a film i have a strong connection with as i was lost & lonely & didn't know my place in the universe at the time the film came out. I felt just like Jay did & so i watched the film every night during that summer & it gave me some sort of comfort.
Big Nostalgia for MIB 2, a movie i watched the hell outta when i got it on video. Memories of this film os of warm summer nights & i was up late downstairs on the sofa & watching MIB 2....evey night throughout that summer. Sometimes in life for certain personal reasons you grip onto a certain movie & that movie becomes a comfort to you & that was MIB 2 for me for a long time.
A very fun filled fantasy-Comedy that is underrated, but i loved it & it was really nice seeing Agent J & Agent K back together with alot of fun silly humour & some cool action, there's exciting fx & cool Aliens that make this a totally entertaining & very light entertainment.
Of course the 1997 Masterpiece will always been known as the Classic & nothing could beat the best movie villain ever "EDGAR" that gross alien bug was absolutely hilarious & expertly performed by Vincent D'Onofrio, a truly outstanding performance. But MIB 2 just has such a lighthearted fun mood that makes it enjoyable still. Nothing will beat the 90's Classic though.
There's still alot of good elements in this sequel to like such as the bigger role of Frank the pug & the more fun role of MIB boss Zed played perfectly by the legendary Rip Torn (R. I. P to one of the greats) & the beginning subway scene with Jeff the worm & the sweet relationship between Agent J & Laura (Rosario Dawson) & even evil Serleena is witty & good fun, even though she's not as great as the excellent "Edgar Bug" from the first film. Also the bumbling henchman Scrad/Charlie is well, very silly really played by Johnny Knoxville but there's always a lighthearted sense of fun to his silly performance.
"MIB 2" is no masterpiece or a Classic, but i dig it so much anyway, like the first film & I'm not saying it's perfect because it's not as the main villain is no where near as good as Edgar the bug & some bits are too silly & very childish such as as Frank the pug barking to the terrible song "Who let the Dogs out?" I can't stand that song!!! & some of the humour is abit too kid-friendly but those are small miner complaints for an otherwise easy watching fun film that is nearly always entertaining. At a brisk, short running time of under an hour & a half, MiB2 moves quickly from fun special fx sequence to the next & introducing new creative creatures. I do find MIB2 to be a special film for me & one i will always enjoy.
Now when it came out i remember going to watch this at the cinema on my own but i didn't care because Will Smith was & still is my idol & childhood hero, i was obsessed with the first film so no way was i going to miss part 2, also i love the look of the warm summer night time scenes of New York City it's beautiful, also the warm chemistry is there again when Kay finally comes back & of Course Will is great again as Jay.
Some little scenes i loved like the scene where Jay sits on a bench after a battle in the subway with the alien "Jeff" & he's sat there feeling so lost in the universe & it's a nice summer night in the lit-up beautiful city, it's just a lovely touching little scene, it's bits like this that i really enjoyed about the sequel, bits that show alot of heart.
Also the great TOMMY LEE JONES is great back as Kay & he gets some really nice touching moments sprinkled throughout this fun sci-fi comedy sequel that moves very fast with it's brisk under 90 mins running time.
MiB2 is simply a short, fun sci-fi blast of silly-goofy comedy & colourful special effects.
I also think i have such big love & Nostalgia for this particular movie because i watched it so much at different times in my life, MIB 2 became a comforting movie for me as i remember feeling so lost & lonely in the world just like "Agent J" at the beginning of the movie, i kinda related to the character & Will's performance, it's a special film to me, even though I'm aware its not exactly a great film, it has its problems.
There's something special about Will Smith for me though as i grew up with the "Fresh Prince of bel air" & his excellent rap music, so Will Smith is something of an icon to me & abit of a positive role model, his films have gotten me through some tough times & MIB, MIB 2, I,ROBOT, WILD WILD WEST, ENEMY OF THE STATE & BAD BOYS are probably the most important films of his to me for personal reasons, those flicks I've watched so many times at my most lost & loneliest but "Big Will" was Always there keeping me comforted on screen. MIB 2 is warm special fx comedy that i just i enjoy.
MIB2 simply fun, nothing super special but happy & enjoyable & a truly lovely comfort film, to me anyway. No it's not as well made or as done as the Classic first film, but it is colourful Cartoonish fun.
If ever I'm not sure what to put on i will nearly always go to MIB 2 & that's why it's my most watched movie of all-time, probably more for Nostalgia reasons but the flick always relaxes me.
A Very Weak Sequel
sddavis6322 January 2003
As funny as the original MIB was, the sequel proves that the same old thing can get very old and very tired very quickly. I mean, how often can you really find it funny to watch an alien grow its head back after having it shot off? This was a cute gag in the original (and I think we only saw it happen once if I remember correctly.) In this one, it happens over and over again. HEY! AFTER THE FIRST TIME IT'S NOT THAT FUNNY! That's the basic problem with this movie. It doesn't seem to have a lot to differentiate it from the first one, with the result that it's just not that interesting.
Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones reprise their roles as Agents "Jay" and "Kay" respectively, and here was one element of the story that might have made this a fun adventure if it had been developed. "Kay" is retired as this movie opens, and he's been "neuralized" - his memory of having been an MIB agent has been wiped clean. If the story had focussed more on "Kay" and his attempts at re-integrating into the MIB agency, I think this might have been a very funny movie. But "Kay's" re-integration just seems to happen far too easily, and for the most part the focus of the movie is on Smith's "Jay." The problem with that is that I just feel Jones is better suited to the whole MIB persona, and I felt Smith quickly became tiresome without Jones balancing him more fully. (And Frank the dog - another of Jay's "partners" - just didn't cut it. I really wanted that dog to get eaten by the big worm or something. A very irritating character, in my opinion.)
My advice: stick with the original.
3/10
Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones reprise their roles as Agents "Jay" and "Kay" respectively, and here was one element of the story that might have made this a fun adventure if it had been developed. "Kay" is retired as this movie opens, and he's been "neuralized" - his memory of having been an MIB agent has been wiped clean. If the story had focussed more on "Kay" and his attempts at re-integrating into the MIB agency, I think this might have been a very funny movie. But "Kay's" re-integration just seems to happen far too easily, and for the most part the focus of the movie is on Smith's "Jay." The problem with that is that I just feel Jones is better suited to the whole MIB persona, and I felt Smith quickly became tiresome without Jones balancing him more fully. (And Frank the dog - another of Jay's "partners" - just didn't cut it. I really wanted that dog to get eaten by the big worm or something. A very irritating character, in my opinion.)
My advice: stick with the original.
3/10
A Sequel About Money
Michael_Elliott23 May 2012
Men in Black II (2002)
* 1/2 (out of 4)
Boring and bland sequel has Earth coming under attack from a dangerous alien (Lara Flynn Boyle) so Agent Jay (Will Smith) must bring Agent Kay (Tommy Lee Jones) out of retirement. I really wasn't sure what to expect out of this sequel but the very, very, very last thing I did expect was something boring. I must admit that I was really shocked to see how bland and downright bad this movie was as sadly it's yet another example of a sequel to a good movie being about nothing more than money. The original film was smart, clever and funny in regards to the subject matter but this sequel just lacks any sort of originality and it's really nothing more than a copy of the original. What's so sad is that there could have been so many good and interesting story ideas but sadly we're just given a copy of the first film and we even get many of the same jokes. It's funny to think that the jokes worked so well the first time but here they're just annoying and unfunny. I think the majority of the blame has to go towards the screenplay, which is just a mess. It's never funny, never makes too much sense and sadly it's clear that very little went into it. The performances outside of Tommy Lee Jones really aren't all that memorable either. Lara Flynn Boyle has no problems looking sexy but her character is bland. Rip Torn isn't given much to do and the same is true for Johnny Knoxville and Rosario Dawson. The incredibly bad love story with Dawson is just an embarrassment. MEN IN BLACK II even features some very poor CGI effects and in the end this is just a rather worthless movie that isn't worth the trouble.
* 1/2 (out of 4)
Boring and bland sequel has Earth coming under attack from a dangerous alien (Lara Flynn Boyle) so Agent Jay (Will Smith) must bring Agent Kay (Tommy Lee Jones) out of retirement. I really wasn't sure what to expect out of this sequel but the very, very, very last thing I did expect was something boring. I must admit that I was really shocked to see how bland and downright bad this movie was as sadly it's yet another example of a sequel to a good movie being about nothing more than money. The original film was smart, clever and funny in regards to the subject matter but this sequel just lacks any sort of originality and it's really nothing more than a copy of the original. What's so sad is that there could have been so many good and interesting story ideas but sadly we're just given a copy of the first film and we even get many of the same jokes. It's funny to think that the jokes worked so well the first time but here they're just annoying and unfunny. I think the majority of the blame has to go towards the screenplay, which is just a mess. It's never funny, never makes too much sense and sadly it's clear that very little went into it. The performances outside of Tommy Lee Jones really aren't all that memorable either. Lara Flynn Boyle has no problems looking sexy but her character is bland. Rip Torn isn't given much to do and the same is true for Johnny Knoxville and Rosario Dawson. The incredibly bad love story with Dawson is just an embarrassment. MEN IN BLACK II even features some very poor CGI effects and in the end this is just a rather worthless movie that isn't worth the trouble.
Same Planet. New Scum.
Lady_Targaryen10 August 2006
Warning: Spoilers
''Men in Black II'' is not fantastic as the first movie, but it is a good and entertaining movie to be watched anyway.
It is so funny to see Michael Jackson as one of the aliens from MIB! (I mean, let's be honest, the guy doesn't even need a make up to look like one!)
One of the things I need to complain about this movie, is the fact that we don't have the same good explanations as the first one. A lot of errors are present, like the lack of story about Laura's life explaining why she is the light of Zartha, if she is K's daughter with Lauranna or not,as well as Johnny Knoxville's character just disappearing without reason.
It has been five years since Agent K returned to the comforts of a civilian life working as a mail man. Agent J, for the other hand, continues to work for the Men in Black, but he never has success finding a good partner to stay with him: all of them hated the life of being an agent and were neuralized. Serleena, an evil Kylothian alien, disguises herself as a Victoria Secrets' model while planning to find the Light of Zartha, that will put the galaxy in danger once again. Now J will need the help of agent K once again to save the planet, specially because he is the only one who knows where the Light of Zartha is.
It is so funny to see Michael Jackson as one of the aliens from MIB! (I mean, let's be honest, the guy doesn't even need a make up to look like one!)
One of the things I need to complain about this movie, is the fact that we don't have the same good explanations as the first one. A lot of errors are present, like the lack of story about Laura's life explaining why she is the light of Zartha, if she is K's daughter with Lauranna or not,as well as Johnny Knoxville's character just disappearing without reason.
It has been five years since Agent K returned to the comforts of a civilian life working as a mail man. Agent J, for the other hand, continues to work for the Men in Black, but he never has success finding a good partner to stay with him: all of them hated the life of being an agent and were neuralized. Serleena, an evil Kylothian alien, disguises herself as a Victoria Secrets' model while planning to find the Light of Zartha, that will put the galaxy in danger once again. Now J will need the help of agent K once again to save the planet, specially because he is the only one who knows where the Light of Zartha is.
A huge step down from the original.
Anonymous_Maxine27 December 2002
Sequels are almost inherently inferior to their original films. The reason that a sequel is ever made is because the original film was a huge success and therefore people want to see more, but at the same time have developed high expectations from the original film, expectations which are rarely if ever completely fulfilled. In my opinion, every sequel has a right not to live up to the original that it followed, but Men In Black II abuses the privilege almost as much as Austin Powers has already done twice so far. Roger Ebert makes an interesting comment in his review of Men In Black II, stating that the original was so enormously successful because it was unexpected and we had not seen anything like it, while the second one is a rehash of the original, and now we HAVE seen something like it. The expected result is that, like the two Austin Powers sequels, what we have here is little more than an extension of the same jokes that we saw in the original film.
The entire cast has come back, of course, since this is guaranteed to be a hugely popular film (although at the same time guaranteed to be an artistic failure), and we also see a few more introductions to the cast of actors and artists with flailing careers like Lara Flynn Boyle and even Michael Jackson, who embarrasses himself in the film by playing the part of someone desperately trying to secure himself a position as one of the Men In Black (`I can be Agent M! Pleeeeeeeeeease???'). Naturally, everything that got a laugh in the original film is milked to death here, although not entirely without effect. I thought it was really funny when K blows off Jeebs' head (feeding off of one of the more amusing scenes from the original during J's introduction to the aliens amongst whom he lives), and J asks him how he knew that Jeebs' head would grow back if his memory had not been restored, and K replies, `It grows back?' Not very creative, but certainly amusing.
The movie has its strong points, I am not saying that it was a stone-faced bore, but the problem is that it completely feeds off of whatever was successful about the original film. There is virtually nothing creative presented in this film, it is much talkier and drier than the original and doesn't seem to have a personality of its own. MIB followed an alien disguised as a redneck named Edgar as he tries to get his hands on a galaxy that is small enough to fit on a cat's collar. In the second film, we not only have a charm on a bracelet that is the most sought-after item in the film, but we also catch a couple of overly brief glances at some tiny populations of life forms that are able to fit into an airport locker but are still not able to secure themselves a larger part in this film, which chooses instead to entertain us with a talking dog. How's that again? Why is it that there were so many interesting creatures in the original film but this one gives us a quick glimpse of some fascinating creatures but then tries to distract us with the talking (and sometimes singing) antics of a tiny dog, which had just the right size role in the original film?
Things like this and the fact that the movie had nothing new to add to the Men In Black story bring the quality of MIIB way down, leaving it to tag along behind its predecessor like an annoying little sister. We already know there is going to be a Men In Black III (hey, if they made a second sequel after the ridiculous Austin Powers 2 ), so we can only hope that the producers and director will take a little more time in deciding how to entertain us and what kinds of life forms to focus on, because this was entirely overlooked in this sequel. Even the enormously sexy Boyle was not comfortable on her role and therefore unconvincing as an alien villain in disguise (indeed, it was more convincing that the writers were so unconfident in their script that they felt the need to gloss it over with a sexy villain than it was that she was a threat to the MIB), and Mr. Smith and Mr. Jones had little to nothing to work with in their roles. There is still something left to be salvaged in the Men In Black story. Like the story for Hollow Man, there are nearly endless possibilities, but they were unfortunately largely ignored in this film. At least it's all uphill from here
The entire cast has come back, of course, since this is guaranteed to be a hugely popular film (although at the same time guaranteed to be an artistic failure), and we also see a few more introductions to the cast of actors and artists with flailing careers like Lara Flynn Boyle and even Michael Jackson, who embarrasses himself in the film by playing the part of someone desperately trying to secure himself a position as one of the Men In Black (`I can be Agent M! Pleeeeeeeeeease???'). Naturally, everything that got a laugh in the original film is milked to death here, although not entirely without effect. I thought it was really funny when K blows off Jeebs' head (feeding off of one of the more amusing scenes from the original during J's introduction to the aliens amongst whom he lives), and J asks him how he knew that Jeebs' head would grow back if his memory had not been restored, and K replies, `It grows back?' Not very creative, but certainly amusing.
The movie has its strong points, I am not saying that it was a stone-faced bore, but the problem is that it completely feeds off of whatever was successful about the original film. There is virtually nothing creative presented in this film, it is much talkier and drier than the original and doesn't seem to have a personality of its own. MIB followed an alien disguised as a redneck named Edgar as he tries to get his hands on a galaxy that is small enough to fit on a cat's collar. In the second film, we not only have a charm on a bracelet that is the most sought-after item in the film, but we also catch a couple of overly brief glances at some tiny populations of life forms that are able to fit into an airport locker but are still not able to secure themselves a larger part in this film, which chooses instead to entertain us with a talking dog. How's that again? Why is it that there were so many interesting creatures in the original film but this one gives us a quick glimpse of some fascinating creatures but then tries to distract us with the talking (and sometimes singing) antics of a tiny dog, which had just the right size role in the original film?
Things like this and the fact that the movie had nothing new to add to the Men In Black story bring the quality of MIIB way down, leaving it to tag along behind its predecessor like an annoying little sister. We already know there is going to be a Men In Black III (hey, if they made a second sequel after the ridiculous Austin Powers 2 ), so we can only hope that the producers and director will take a little more time in deciding how to entertain us and what kinds of life forms to focus on, because this was entirely overlooked in this sequel. Even the enormously sexy Boyle was not comfortable on her role and therefore unconvincing as an alien villain in disguise (indeed, it was more convincing that the writers were so unconfident in their script that they felt the need to gloss it over with a sexy villain than it was that she was a threat to the MIB), and Mr. Smith and Mr. Jones had little to nothing to work with in their roles. There is still something left to be salvaged in the Men In Black story. Like the story for Hollow Man, there are nearly endless possibilities, but they were unfortunately largely ignored in this film. At least it's all uphill from here
I think the makers of the film thought we had somewhere to go.
Aaron13759 May 2003
This movie is the sequel of course to the hit movie "Men In Black". I gave this movie a six, but I felt like being generous (I probably should give it a five). This movie is short. I mean really, really short. There is a short that preceded the movie so that tells you how short this movie is (the short got more laughs than the movie I think). I went to this movie knowing how short it was, but it just went by so fast and the movie was a bit unmemorable that it was a waste of time to drive to the theater. There was no time for character development or much story development. In fact, the opening credit scene itself took four or five minutes. The story has Smith's character trying to get the memory back of Jones character to battle an alien threat. For the most part there isn't much that is funny in this one, but there are a few scenes to make a person chuckle. Then there is the pug dog. I think it had the same screen time as Tommy Lee Jones. It was funny in small doses, but its role was expanded way too much for the sequel. Johnny Knoxville's character was lame as was the main villain, which had looks but no funny dialogue at all. Tony Shaloub is back, and once again his character's role is small and underused. So all in all this is an inferior sequel by all means with just enough to look at to keep you from getting bored. If they ever make a part three, please let them get a director who is capable of making a movie.
Better and Worse Than the First
tabuno27 January 2019
3 July 2002. Men In Black II is one of the truly unique films in that it is both better and worse than the original. I admire the risks taken to make this movie more interesting but at the same time it bombs in some of its overly cute lines and plot-ploys. I laughed heartedly in spots, more than I have in a while, but that other times, I could only shake my head at how dumb and flat some of the one-line moments were. One fascinating directing, script technique that is rarely seen in a comedy is the use of silence, the prolonged pause and the use of facial expressions, and the moment to carry the scene. This approach usually worked in this movie, which I think is saying a lot because it is extremely difficult to pull off successfully most of the time and it takes good acting and directing to do it. There was more tender moments in this movie than the original - better serious, moments. Both actors were great in their acting, acting in the difficult parts where body and facial expression counted more than dialogue. There were times that Wil Smith never completed his lines, but with great success. I would have to say overall, Men In Black II wasn't a great movie, but it was entertaining, interesting, took risks, and broke new comedic ground in bringing back real comedy and one-liners that sometimes died, but just as well, were brilliant. A great worthwhile attempt. A must for home video or should I say DVD now.
A good movie.
jacobjohntaylor18 February 2019
Great!
AnnaPagrati31 August 2021
One of Hollywood's worst sequels
Leofwine_draca21 December 2015
I remember enjoying - to a degree - the first MEN IN BLACK when I saw it in cinemas back in 1997 when it came out. I never bothered with this sequel, having grown tired of Will Smith's brash persona, but when I saw it advertised on TV I thought I'd check it out. Better late than never, right? Well, no, as it happens. This is an awful sequel in every aspect made with zero intellect and a greedy eye on the purses of movie-goers. It stands as one of Hollywood's worst sequels EVER, jettisoning the first film's originality and fresh feel to offer a storyline that simply copies that of the original movie except with more CGI effects.
The first thing noticeable when you watch this film in 2015 is that the CGI effects are AWFUL. Worse even than you'd expect to see in a typical Asylum film. There's barely a single scene without some alien effect or other, and none of them are good, while a lot of them are excruciating. The action scenes that mix in wirework with CGI are the worst of the worst.
Otherwise, the film goes through the motions. Smith and Jones are on autopilot and none of their jokes are particularly funny. Lara Flynn Boyle's hammy villain is embarrassing, and the less said about fresh-faced Rosario Dawson, the better (hint: she was much better in SIN CITY). About the only things I liked in this film were the pug - although I'd have liked it better if it hadn't talked - and the Michael Jackson cameo. Everything else is just appalling.
The first thing noticeable when you watch this film in 2015 is that the CGI effects are AWFUL. Worse even than you'd expect to see in a typical Asylum film. There's barely a single scene without some alien effect or other, and none of them are good, while a lot of them are excruciating. The action scenes that mix in wirework with CGI are the worst of the worst.
Otherwise, the film goes through the motions. Smith and Jones are on autopilot and none of their jokes are particularly funny. Lara Flynn Boyle's hammy villain is embarrassing, and the less said about fresh-faced Rosario Dawson, the better (hint: she was much better in SIN CITY). About the only things I liked in this film were the pug - although I'd have liked it better if it hadn't talked - and the Michael Jackson cameo. Everything else is just appalling.
Men in cheap suits
CuriosityKilledShawn20 May 2004
For such a belated (and now unwanted) sequel to feel so much like a quick-rehash to cash in on the original's success is weird. This movie had 5 years (and some false-starts) to refine and for the filmmakers to really make it something special for the fans and to pay tribute to the brilliant Men in Black. It never happened.
Instead we have a plot (that doesn't even make sense) so wafer thin it's almost invisible and repeats of old scenes. Always, always, always a bad, bad, bad mistake for a sequel. NEVER homage or try to be smart by repeating scenes. John Carpenter did this with Escape from LA and that was lost on almost all audiences. Just like what has happened with MIB II. I did expect this to be a huge hit. But it's gone largely unnoticed because it's asking for money for old rope.
David Cross (who played the morgue attendant in the original) has the only funny scene and I swear any other laughs will be no more than exaggerated smiles. You'll want to enjoy, but won't. Lara Flynn Boyle is not the uber-[female] her character should have been. And Rosario Dawson has NOTHING to do in her role at all. I don't want to say that she is a bad actress because the part offered her so little to do. Not even so little. It was nothing. Never before in my life have I seen such a pointless character. All she did was stand around with her eyes open in amazement. That's it. Had her character been called Laura MacGuffin instead of Laura Vasquez it would have been a tiny bit acceptable. What IS the deal with that silly 'light' nonsense?
Plus the chemistry between Smith and Jones is gone. It's simply not there and there is no spark. Jones originally didn't even want to do this film (Linda Fiorentino was supposed to return) and he seems like someone totally different. First time round he was wise and crafty. Here he is just a gear in the machine. There's no magic. No comic timing.
MIB II should have been one of those surprising sequels that blows the original out of the water. Like Gremlins 2 for example. Spielberg was producer on that movie too. It came 6 years after the first. MIB II had 5. And it seems like they just hastily threw it together in a couple of weeks. It is so puzzling. And what is even weirder is that the Men In Black Limited Edition DVD has a trailer for MIB II. And that DVD was released in Fall 2000! (ages before this film's eventual release, where they aiming for a summer 2001 release?) And the trailer for MIB II on this DVD is anamorphically enhanced at 2.35:1. But the actual film itself is 1.85:1. I found this to be one of the most strangest things of all. It's practically false advertising.
Oh well, I don't want to give the film 1/5. I really don't. Not when MIB deserves a sequel so much better. And by giving it 1/5 I am, in a way, insulting the original. But I must. Sorry.
Instead we have a plot (that doesn't even make sense) so wafer thin it's almost invisible and repeats of old scenes. Always, always, always a bad, bad, bad mistake for a sequel. NEVER homage or try to be smart by repeating scenes. John Carpenter did this with Escape from LA and that was lost on almost all audiences. Just like what has happened with MIB II. I did expect this to be a huge hit. But it's gone largely unnoticed because it's asking for money for old rope.
David Cross (who played the morgue attendant in the original) has the only funny scene and I swear any other laughs will be no more than exaggerated smiles. You'll want to enjoy, but won't. Lara Flynn Boyle is not the uber-[female] her character should have been. And Rosario Dawson has NOTHING to do in her role at all. I don't want to say that she is a bad actress because the part offered her so little to do. Not even so little. It was nothing. Never before in my life have I seen such a pointless character. All she did was stand around with her eyes open in amazement. That's it. Had her character been called Laura MacGuffin instead of Laura Vasquez it would have been a tiny bit acceptable. What IS the deal with that silly 'light' nonsense?
Plus the chemistry between Smith and Jones is gone. It's simply not there and there is no spark. Jones originally didn't even want to do this film (Linda Fiorentino was supposed to return) and he seems like someone totally different. First time round he was wise and crafty. Here he is just a gear in the machine. There's no magic. No comic timing.
MIB II should have been one of those surprising sequels that blows the original out of the water. Like Gremlins 2 for example. Spielberg was producer on that movie too. It came 6 years after the first. MIB II had 5. And it seems like they just hastily threw it together in a couple of weeks. It is so puzzling. And what is even weirder is that the Men In Black Limited Edition DVD has a trailer for MIB II. And that DVD was released in Fall 2000! (ages before this film's eventual release, where they aiming for a summer 2001 release?) And the trailer for MIB II on this DVD is anamorphically enhanced at 2.35:1. But the actual film itself is 1.85:1. I found this to be one of the most strangest things of all. It's practically false advertising.
Oh well, I don't want to give the film 1/5. I really don't. Not when MIB deserves a sequel so much better. And by giving it 1/5 I am, in a way, insulting the original. But I must. Sorry.
I never understood the shellacking this film got
XweAponX25 January 2023
As a movie it is very well done, using digital techniques that were in their infancy at the time. It gives some of the effects and the compositing used, some very interesting imagery. A combination of practical and digital effects were used and blended well together.
As a man in black movie and part of the franchise, it is an important middle story: you know how all good stories have a beginning, middle, and end. This is a very important story particularly focusing upon the character of K, Who as we know had "retired", or, as they say in this film, "neuralized" in the first film.
My only issue with this film is that it is way too short and moves way too fast- there are some things that could have been "flushed" out a little bit. That, is actually a hint.
We return to the men in black several years later, five years later as a matter of fact, K is neutral, and a new threat that he had previously dealt with rears its "ugly" Head. And what I mean by that is that Laura Flynn "Boil" plays the badarse Sleazy Alien "Biker Chick" very well here, we believe it. Although she does add a little bit too much humor to her part but that makes it easier to deal with I suppose. Especially her introduction in the park to that gentleman that well, you would have to watch this. Something unbelievable which is also unbelievably funny happens. Eventually she partners with a "dumb" two headed Johnny Knoxville, which was the first time I had ever seen this actor, who plays his part well also.
On the other hand, J, previously known as James Edwards, is going through Partner after Partner. This time, he had been partnered with "The Tick" Patrick Warburton (Sounds like a brand of Briefcase). There is a showdown between the two men in black and an alien that lives in the subway. Enough said about that.
Laura Flynn's character, "Serleena", is on the prowl for something left on earth by the Zarthans, something that was not supposed to even be there.
And it all comes down to K to tell us what this all is about, unfortunately he had been neuralized. Of course the men in black have a way of dealing with such a thing, but "an interesting thing happened to K and J as they went to the men in black headquarters" (once again, you would have to watch this in order to see exactly what that is).
Enter the savior of the day, Jeeves. No longer looking like Humphrey Bogart, now he is all blinged out, no doubt due to five years of influence with J.
Unfortunately other bad guys are also looking for K.
J becomes interested in a woman who had witnessed an unfortunate event. Rosanna Dawson is practically at her best here, very young, very fresh, she plays her character well. Her character has aspects that are revealed as the story goes on. But right from the very beginning they seed us with clues as to what or who she actually is.
Also we get to see a partnership between Frank the pug dog and J, which brings the hilarity up several notches.
There is also a clue which K left for himself involving people living inside of a bus station locker, and then another Interlude with the kid that we saw in the first film that was working in the morgue, the guy that the bug-in-an-Edgar-suit (played in the first film brilliantly by Vincent D'Onofrio) cocooned onto the ceiling with ICK. And I mean, disgusting ICK. This time he works in a video store, with actual videotapes starring Peter Graves, and lives with his girlfriend and his mother and his shovel, and that's another funny but important part of this.
This being 2002 we don't see many modern inventions, we see an old-fashioned Sony WEGA CRT television in Jeeves storage, which at the time was high technology, probably the top of the line SONY Trinitron based television of that day. And Jeeves himself is using an original apple iMac, green. Using Mac OS 9.2.2...
We get to visit with the alien worm guys who play a pretty good role from the middle of the film onward, not to mention a pretty good game of twister.
But the most important thing here is something that we learn about K's involvement with a Zarthan woman. Which is pretty much the focal point of the entire story but I can't really talk too much about that without spoiling anything. Needless to say once this facet is revealed, the fragments of the story fall all into place and we realize something very deep about K.
And J is following in the same path as Kay had once did.
One other thing I should be able to mention is that J had developed a reputation for neuralizing everything and everybody... and this also is a pretty large plot point especially at the very end.
Overall the film was interesting and funny. But for some reason it just did not ring as well as the first chapter.
We also see improvements with the men in black cars, something that was abused in the next two films. Which gives Kay a little bit of trouble when he tries to drive, and of course I can probably say that at one point they end up upside down without J wearing a seatbelt.
I say watch the first movie, and then watch this. It's more important than we think it is. And funnier...
As a man in black movie and part of the franchise, it is an important middle story: you know how all good stories have a beginning, middle, and end. This is a very important story particularly focusing upon the character of K, Who as we know had "retired", or, as they say in this film, "neuralized" in the first film.
My only issue with this film is that it is way too short and moves way too fast- there are some things that could have been "flushed" out a little bit. That, is actually a hint.
We return to the men in black several years later, five years later as a matter of fact, K is neutral, and a new threat that he had previously dealt with rears its "ugly" Head. And what I mean by that is that Laura Flynn "Boil" plays the badarse Sleazy Alien "Biker Chick" very well here, we believe it. Although she does add a little bit too much humor to her part but that makes it easier to deal with I suppose. Especially her introduction in the park to that gentleman that well, you would have to watch this. Something unbelievable which is also unbelievably funny happens. Eventually she partners with a "dumb" two headed Johnny Knoxville, which was the first time I had ever seen this actor, who plays his part well also.
On the other hand, J, previously known as James Edwards, is going through Partner after Partner. This time, he had been partnered with "The Tick" Patrick Warburton (Sounds like a brand of Briefcase). There is a showdown between the two men in black and an alien that lives in the subway. Enough said about that.
Laura Flynn's character, "Serleena", is on the prowl for something left on earth by the Zarthans, something that was not supposed to even be there.
And it all comes down to K to tell us what this all is about, unfortunately he had been neuralized. Of course the men in black have a way of dealing with such a thing, but "an interesting thing happened to K and J as they went to the men in black headquarters" (once again, you would have to watch this in order to see exactly what that is).
Enter the savior of the day, Jeeves. No longer looking like Humphrey Bogart, now he is all blinged out, no doubt due to five years of influence with J.
Unfortunately other bad guys are also looking for K.
J becomes interested in a woman who had witnessed an unfortunate event. Rosanna Dawson is practically at her best here, very young, very fresh, she plays her character well. Her character has aspects that are revealed as the story goes on. But right from the very beginning they seed us with clues as to what or who she actually is.
Also we get to see a partnership between Frank the pug dog and J, which brings the hilarity up several notches.
There is also a clue which K left for himself involving people living inside of a bus station locker, and then another Interlude with the kid that we saw in the first film that was working in the morgue, the guy that the bug-in-an-Edgar-suit (played in the first film brilliantly by Vincent D'Onofrio) cocooned onto the ceiling with ICK. And I mean, disgusting ICK. This time he works in a video store, with actual videotapes starring Peter Graves, and lives with his girlfriend and his mother and his shovel, and that's another funny but important part of this.
This being 2002 we don't see many modern inventions, we see an old-fashioned Sony WEGA CRT television in Jeeves storage, which at the time was high technology, probably the top of the line SONY Trinitron based television of that day. And Jeeves himself is using an original apple iMac, green. Using Mac OS 9.2.2...
We get to visit with the alien worm guys who play a pretty good role from the middle of the film onward, not to mention a pretty good game of twister.
But the most important thing here is something that we learn about K's involvement with a Zarthan woman. Which is pretty much the focal point of the entire story but I can't really talk too much about that without spoiling anything. Needless to say once this facet is revealed, the fragments of the story fall all into place and we realize something very deep about K.
And J is following in the same path as Kay had once did.
One other thing I should be able to mention is that J had developed a reputation for neuralizing everything and everybody... and this also is a pretty large plot point especially at the very end.
Overall the film was interesting and funny. But for some reason it just did not ring as well as the first chapter.
We also see improvements with the men in black cars, something that was abused in the next two films. Which gives Kay a little bit of trouble when he tries to drive, and of course I can probably say that at one point they end up upside down without J wearing a seatbelt.
I say watch the first movie, and then watch this. It's more important than we think it is. And funnier...
A rushed, under-written, patronizing cash-in, "Men in Black II" is an ugly, hasty continuation with almost none of the first film's creativity.
TedStixonAKAMaximumMadness3 December 2013
Sequels. Sometimes they're good. Sometimes they will take an original and build off of its foundation, expanding the story and further developing the characters. Sometimes they will take us to new places, and explore new themes. Show us a world beyond the confines of the original. Prove to us that they are necessary to tell an on-going story with the characters we loved so much in the first film. Sometimes they are worth it.
Yeah, and sometimes, they are lazy. Sometimes they're astonishingly under-written and over-reliant on clichés and other cheap storytelling tactics. Sometimes they feel soulless and patronizing to the audience. Sometimes they show themselves to be the unneeded cash-in's that they sometimes are.
I think you can tell which of those two categories this sequel falls into. (Hint, it sure ain't the first!)
"Men in Black II" is one of the more disappointing follow-ups to an outstanding original film that I've ever seen. While the creative team of Barry Sonnenfeld directing with Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones starring returns, that lightning-in-a-bottle tragically isn't able to be re-captured here. Instead, we are treated to 89 minutes of contrived nonsense and an endless parade of references to the original film, in a sequel that truly feels written by committee in a studio-executive's office in order to be as unoffensive and broad as possible.
Smith returns as Agent J. While investigating an alien murder in New York City, J comes to realize that the perpetrator in this case (plant- creature Serleena, portrayed by Lara Flynn Boyle in an over-sexualized performance) has ties to his former partner, "Agent K." (Tommy Lee Jones) J is forced to bring K out of retirement and undo the process that wiped his memories, before they re- team to scour the city searching for clues to stop Serleena's dastardly plans.
On paper that may not sound too bad, but in execution, it's pretty dreadful.
The acting is far more mixed in this film. Smith is decent as J, but he feels very flat and forced in comparison to the original film. Like his heart isn't quite in it. The same goes for Jones, who barely seems to be putting effort in. Lara Flynn Boyle is very underwhelming as our villain, and the fact that she's always over-sexualized (introduced to us in a scene that includes a closeup of her rear-end as she walks around in high heels and lingerie) does make the entire film feel sort of misogynistic. Supporting roles by Rosario Dawson, Rip Torn and Johnny Knoxville are generally decent, but the lack of development does harm everyone.
The direction is also a lot more sedated this time around. Sonnenfeld doesn't seem to be having as much fun behind the camera, and the script by Robert Gordon and Barry Fanaro (and probably a team of uncredited ghost-writers and script-doctors to dumb it down for the studio) is far too safe in terms of keeping the development limited and the storytelling far too over-easy to grasp. This is far too simplistic a film for it's own good- it's just J and K driving around, stopping at a location for an action set-piece and a 30 second vignette to further the story... repeated over and over again.
There's also a far bigger reliant on effects this time around, it seems, which hurts the film quite a bit. Although I will admit that the visual effects and creature design by Rick Baker are well-done.
And the big problem is the lack of development for any characters, and the fact that the film over-simplifies and regresses many of them. Agent J is made into an oafish jerk by the script (we find out he's been neauralyzing MIB agents at random, and he seems very closed and cold to his colleagues) and K's back-story and return is very poorly thrown together. He's just sort of a nasty grumpy guy in this film, and the duo's back-and-forth feels more contrived and mean-spirited. New characters are given no development beyond one-dimensional character quirks, so you don't care about anyone.
There really isn't too much else to say about this film. It's far from the worst sequel I've seen, but it's still a radically disappointing follow up to the excellent original. The only silver linings here are the fact that it was able to re-introduce Agent K (though poorly) and the fact that the third film, released 10 years later, was actually pretty darned good and made up for this severe misstep.
As it stands, "Men in Black II" gets and underwhelming 4 out of 10. If you're a fan of the first film, sure... give it a shot. But don't expect much of anything.
Yeah, and sometimes, they are lazy. Sometimes they're astonishingly under-written and over-reliant on clichés and other cheap storytelling tactics. Sometimes they feel soulless and patronizing to the audience. Sometimes they show themselves to be the unneeded cash-in's that they sometimes are.
I think you can tell which of those two categories this sequel falls into. (Hint, it sure ain't the first!)
"Men in Black II" is one of the more disappointing follow-ups to an outstanding original film that I've ever seen. While the creative team of Barry Sonnenfeld directing with Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones starring returns, that lightning-in-a-bottle tragically isn't able to be re-captured here. Instead, we are treated to 89 minutes of contrived nonsense and an endless parade of references to the original film, in a sequel that truly feels written by committee in a studio-executive's office in order to be as unoffensive and broad as possible.
Smith returns as Agent J. While investigating an alien murder in New York City, J comes to realize that the perpetrator in this case (plant- creature Serleena, portrayed by Lara Flynn Boyle in an over-sexualized performance) has ties to his former partner, "Agent K." (Tommy Lee Jones) J is forced to bring K out of retirement and undo the process that wiped his memories, before they re- team to scour the city searching for clues to stop Serleena's dastardly plans.
On paper that may not sound too bad, but in execution, it's pretty dreadful.
The acting is far more mixed in this film. Smith is decent as J, but he feels very flat and forced in comparison to the original film. Like his heart isn't quite in it. The same goes for Jones, who barely seems to be putting effort in. Lara Flynn Boyle is very underwhelming as our villain, and the fact that she's always over-sexualized (introduced to us in a scene that includes a closeup of her rear-end as she walks around in high heels and lingerie) does make the entire film feel sort of misogynistic. Supporting roles by Rosario Dawson, Rip Torn and Johnny Knoxville are generally decent, but the lack of development does harm everyone.
The direction is also a lot more sedated this time around. Sonnenfeld doesn't seem to be having as much fun behind the camera, and the script by Robert Gordon and Barry Fanaro (and probably a team of uncredited ghost-writers and script-doctors to dumb it down for the studio) is far too safe in terms of keeping the development limited and the storytelling far too over-easy to grasp. This is far too simplistic a film for it's own good- it's just J and K driving around, stopping at a location for an action set-piece and a 30 second vignette to further the story... repeated over and over again.
There's also a far bigger reliant on effects this time around, it seems, which hurts the film quite a bit. Although I will admit that the visual effects and creature design by Rick Baker are well-done.
And the big problem is the lack of development for any characters, and the fact that the film over-simplifies and regresses many of them. Agent J is made into an oafish jerk by the script (we find out he's been neauralyzing MIB agents at random, and he seems very closed and cold to his colleagues) and K's back-story and return is very poorly thrown together. He's just sort of a nasty grumpy guy in this film, and the duo's back-and-forth feels more contrived and mean-spirited. New characters are given no development beyond one-dimensional character quirks, so you don't care about anyone.
There really isn't too much else to say about this film. It's far from the worst sequel I've seen, but it's still a radically disappointing follow up to the excellent original. The only silver linings here are the fact that it was able to re-introduce Agent K (though poorly) and the fact that the third film, released 10 years later, was actually pretty darned good and made up for this severe misstep.
As it stands, "Men in Black II" gets and underwhelming 4 out of 10. If you're a fan of the first film, sure... give it a shot. But don't expect much of anything.
Disappointing and Diluted Sequel with Some Cool Scenes
LeonLouisRicci19 April 2016
The SFX and also the Makeup by Rick Baker are the Highlights in this Disappointing Sequel to a Surprising Mega-Hit Original. The first Men in Black (1997) captured the Imagination of the Public and the Fascination with X-Files Conspiracies and Space Visitors.
The Fact is that Flying Saucer Enthusiast have received No Quarter from the Mainstream Media and have been Mercilessly Ridiculed beginning in the Early 1950's. That Ostracizing is at the Heart of the Comic and the Movies.
The Men in Black Movies are based on the Malibu Comics. The Malibu Comic is based on "Real Life" Stories that have been around since the Mid-Fifties in Ufology.
"MIB II" seems as though it is Running on a Warp-Drive that is so Depleted it is having a Serious Spasmosis. Repeating and Regurgitating Ideas and Jokes Ad Nauseum. While it all Looks Great and is Bright and Colorful, it has a Numbing and Familiar Feel.
Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones are put it Front of all the Glitzy Mayhem and Labor Their Parts until, like the rest of the Film, it just becomes Uninspired, Unfunny, and the whole project is left Hanging by Wires and Bobbing about from Scene to Scene. Tim Burton's "Mars Attacks" (1996) Succeeded in what this one is Trying to Do and Almost Fails, but Not Quite.
There is Enough here to Enjoy in a Prefabricated kind of Product Placing Picture and some of the Homages to Ufology and Conspiracy Theories are Welcomed. Peter Graves Satirical TV Show is an Example as is the Video Store Setting.
Overall, Recommended for Fans of the First Film who can Tolerate the Sequel being More of the Same but Not as Good.
The Fact is that Flying Saucer Enthusiast have received No Quarter from the Mainstream Media and have been Mercilessly Ridiculed beginning in the Early 1950's. That Ostracizing is at the Heart of the Comic and the Movies.
The Men in Black Movies are based on the Malibu Comics. The Malibu Comic is based on "Real Life" Stories that have been around since the Mid-Fifties in Ufology.
"MIB II" seems as though it is Running on a Warp-Drive that is so Depleted it is having a Serious Spasmosis. Repeating and Regurgitating Ideas and Jokes Ad Nauseum. While it all Looks Great and is Bright and Colorful, it has a Numbing and Familiar Feel.
Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones are put it Front of all the Glitzy Mayhem and Labor Their Parts until, like the rest of the Film, it just becomes Uninspired, Unfunny, and the whole project is left Hanging by Wires and Bobbing about from Scene to Scene. Tim Burton's "Mars Attacks" (1996) Succeeded in what this one is Trying to Do and Almost Fails, but Not Quite.
There is Enough here to Enjoy in a Prefabricated kind of Product Placing Picture and some of the Homages to Ufology and Conspiracy Theories are Welcomed. Peter Graves Satirical TV Show is an Example as is the Video Store Setting.
Overall, Recommended for Fans of the First Film who can Tolerate the Sequel being More of the Same but Not as Good.
If ya think this stinks, let me see ya nod ya head.
BA_Harrison19 May 2012
A few minutes into MIIB, as Will Smith is riding a giant alien worm called Geoff through the New York subway, my 8-year-old son announced 'That looks so obviously fake'. I couldn't really argue: the CGI effects were extremely shoddy.
That's probably because MIIB is essentially a money-making exercise, a rushed mess with a half-arsed script full of lame jokes, cruddy performances (Johnny Knoxville is seriously irritating), and some of the most unsubtle product placement imaginable. It seems as though no-one could give a damn about the standard of film-making, just so long as a profit was made at the box-office and everyone involved received a big fat paycheck.
It really is no wonder MIIIB has only just been made, a whole decade after this debacle saw the light of day: they were leaving it long enough for people to forget just how embarrassingly bad this second film really was before going ahead with a third.
That's probably because MIIB is essentially a money-making exercise, a rushed mess with a half-arsed script full of lame jokes, cruddy performances (Johnny Knoxville is seriously irritating), and some of the most unsubtle product placement imaginable. It seems as though no-one could give a damn about the standard of film-making, just so long as a profit was made at the box-office and everyone involved received a big fat paycheck.
It really is no wonder MIIIB has only just been made, a whole decade after this debacle saw the light of day: they were leaving it long enough for people to forget just how embarrassingly bad this second film really was before going ahead with a third.
5 Reasons Why I Like This Sequel Better
ccthemovieman-119 March 2006
This sequel to a popular first film was a pleasant surprise to me. In fact, I think I like this better than the original, much better. Why? Well.....
1 - It is extremely entertaining and just an hour-and-half long; 2 - It has a much softer edge to it with more humor than the original; 3 - the special effects with the variety of little aliens are excellent; 4 - it's easier on the profanity than the first film, making this more kid-friendly; 5 - at 90 minutes the length of the movie is just right.
Yes, the story can be stupid at times, but so was the first one, and the good qualities listed above far outweigh that negative. Tommy Lee Jones is fun to watch again and Will Smith isn't as arrogant as he was in the first movie.
This is a no-brainer played strictly for laughs and it succeeds beautifully in that regard.
1 - It is extremely entertaining and just an hour-and-half long; 2 - It has a much softer edge to it with more humor than the original; 3 - the special effects with the variety of little aliens are excellent; 4 - it's easier on the profanity than the first film, making this more kid-friendly; 5 - at 90 minutes the length of the movie is just right.
Yes, the story can be stupid at times, but so was the first one, and the good qualities listed above far outweigh that negative. Tommy Lee Jones is fun to watch again and Will Smith isn't as arrogant as he was in the first movie.
This is a no-brainer played strictly for laughs and it succeeds beautifully in that regard.
More protection from the scum of the universe.
Quinoa19847 July 2002
Barry Sonnenfeld, Tommy Lee Jones and Will Smith return for the inevitable (money wise anyway) sequel to the 1997 hit, and it unfortunately falls flat all too many times to be ignored. The film does contain impressive visual effects, such as the entire civilization in K's locker, or the worms and other aliens, and there is some fun in starting the film with K (Jones) working as a postmaster, and in having Johnny Knoxville with two heads, but it's overall dumbed down and Smith offers mostly lukewarm or generic jokes (ie on the car K and J go into after they get flushed into times square- actually, it came with a black dude, but he kept on getting pulled over). Being kind, I give it a B-.
More Men In Black... Yes!
BrnzReviews22 May 2021
A sequel trying desperately to survive next to its predecessor is usually a lost hope, not in this case Men In Black II is Terrific. This sequel is anything but amazing, nothing about it feels forced in any way and it truly feels like it had to happen.
I love Men In Black alot, they are very entertaining movie to see and I couldn't wait for 3 until it finally landed.
This is an amazing watch and you will definitely enjoy it, highly recommend!
I love Men In Black alot, they are very entertaining movie to see and I couldn't wait for 3 until it finally landed.
This is an amazing watch and you will definitely enjoy it, highly recommend!
Michael Jackson
michaeljackson-1911819 February 2020
That one scene by the King of Pop is enough for this film to get a 10 out of 10. Not many films can say they where graced by the legendary Michael Jackson who is still today by far the most successful star that has walked this earth
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