First time unique, second time a dud, third time a charm. Men in Black III is a strong
compliment to the series, gives further shape to its characters, approaches the first film in overall quality, and vaults past the second film by plot leaps
and humor bounds. However, it isn't so much a humorous conspiracy movie like its peers; it's rather a more straightforward Sci-Fi Action/Comedy that
retains
the series' hallmark aliens, visual style, and sleekness. MiB 3 recovers the franchise and returns it to prominence with a ridiculously fun ride
that might be a touch dramatically shallow (at least until a superb ending) but that does highly entertain from beginning to end. Good new characters,
great casting, strong visual
effects, and a fast-paced plot that allows the slick and sleek and cool factors to be substantially elevated all help shape Men in Black 3 into a
classic summer fan-pleasing blockbuster sequel.
See, there are wires and...
Boris the Animal (Jemaine Clement), a one-armed Boglodite and the last of his kind, has escaped his off-world prison with a single goal in mind:
murder the man who took his arm and took so many years of his life. But he's not just out for revenge in the here-and-now; he plans to travel
backwards in time to Agent K's (Tommy Lee Jones) younger (Josh Brolin) days and kill the man who would take his arm before the deed can be
done, essentially rewriting decades of
history and drastically altering countless lives, amongst them that of Agent J (Will Smith). When the timeline is altered, J finds himself shaken and
craving chocolate milk but fully aware of his past life and relationship with K. However, he discovers the timeline skewered for everyone else,
including
new MiB head honcho Agent O (Emma Thompson). The biggest change in the timeline? The Boglodite's are hardly extinct anymore. In fact, they've
invaded earth. Now, Agent J must make a literal leap of faith and travel back in time if he is restore the timeline, save K, and prevent Earth's
destruction.
Though it may lack the deep conspiratorial tones of its namesake, Men in Black 3 does prove to be a wild success of crowd-pleasing mass
entertainment. It's playful and fun, not at all unique but certainly a
Men in Black picture at its core, a well-made and worthwhile summer flick with a few surprises up its sleeve. It's cool and sleek and slimy, a
bit gross at times but then again a few squishy, ooey-gooey visuals to make
the squeamish wriggle around in their seats is an understood and necessary part of the series equation. The movie builds its success on
characterization -- more on that in a moment -- mixed with big action, energetic humor, and a trademark visual style that defines zany and
redefines cool. The late 1960s make for a perfect escape for the series, a time when forward-future slick and cool was all the rage. The lines and
styles match the "current" MiB high polish sleek weapons and gadgets and gizmos perfectly, and while the era recreation feels spot-on, the
similarities
allow for a mixture of "then" and "now" that bridges both time spans and makes the transition a bit more comfortable for the characters and
audiences
both. The film does lose a bit of steam in some of its bigger action scenes which are structurally fine but hardly groundbreaking. There are a few
nifty tricks to be enjoyed -- one in particular during the final showdown works very well -- but ultimately it's more of the same run and gun and fun
stuff viewers have seen dozens, if not hundreds, of times before.
On the other hand, the characters are fantastic. They're the series' most critical asset and the film uses them wonderfully, retaining all the core
charm and quirks and characteristics but diving a whole lot further into who they really are, where they come from, and what drives them, all
culminating in a beautiful character moment near film's end that completely redefines the J-K relationship. Smith and Jones are again stellar, falling
easily into character after a decade's absence and not even looking much different all spiffy in the trademark black suits and cool attitudes.
Smith and Jones share the screen superbly. Generational and methodological differences don't make them a new odd couple but rather a
chemistry-laden duo that feed off of one another's strengths and styles and, really, set the stage for 3's plot that sees Smith team up
with a younger version of Jones played by Josh Brolin. Brolin's is an unequivocally uncanny performance, perfectly capturing the inflection, style,
and
even look of Jones' character. It's as good as Ewan McGregor's absolute embodiment of Alec Guiness in the prequel Star Wars films. Brolin's role in Men in Black 3 may not be as
high a profile and it may not garner any sort of award recognition (though it should), but he's
perfectly cast and it would be a shame not to see him worked into whatever Men in Black sequel(s) are to come.
Men in Black 3 marks another chapter in the long and lauded book of excellent Sony Blu-ray transfers. The summer blockbuster dazzles in
every frame. The image is remarkably clean and naturally filmic; light grain reinforces beautifully crisp edges and razor-sharp details. Viewers will enjoy
precision facial and clothing textures that reveal every line, pore, and crease with natural accuracy. The modern-sleek 2012 MiB tech and the organic
throwback 1960s
elements are the beneficiary of unbeatable detailing that brings every nuance, each crevice, and all minor elements within to striking life. From glossy
plastics
to natural green vegetation, there's no element that's not accurately reproduced down to the slightest line or fiber. Likewise, the color palette dazzles.
Whether the trademark black and white MiB suits or the colorful Coney Island amusement park structures and rides, whether 1960s orange adorning
the MiB offices or New
York's 2012 neon nights, the entire array of colors play with the sort of natural balance only found in the best of the A-list transfers. Black levels are
superb, shadow detail is faultless, and flesh tones are true. There's no wear or artificial manipulation of which to speak. This is a brilliant transfer that
dazzles in every shot and under all of the many unique circumstances and eras spread around the film.
Men in Black 3 tears into Blu-ray with an aggressive and enveloping DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack. From the outset, listeners
will enjoy a full, seamless presence. Music flows from every corner with a natural balance and authenticity; surround use doesn't feel forced in the
slightest, and in fact the added immersion creates quite a soothing and natural sonic environment that sets the stage for the film's more aggressive
action elements. Bass proves potent and invigorating, offering firm and heavy rumbles that never stray into unkempt reverberations. An alien attack
sequence in chapter six offer a fine example of the track's exemplary low end. Laser blasts, or whatever it is the MiB/alien weapons fire, play with an
impressive Sci-Fi sonic signature that's both high pitched and deep at once, a pulsating electric-like sound that not only fires with superb clarity but
zings and zooms all over the stage with strikingly natural presence. The big finale offers a barrage of intense, expertly placed, and robustly clear sound
effects that place the listener in the middle of the action. On the other end of the spectrum, light ambient effects are faultless. Whether 2012 city din
or the light clanking of typewriter keystrokes in the 1969 MiB offices, listeners will delight in the track's natural immersion capabilities. The track is
rounded into fine fashion by faultless, center-focused dialogue reproduction. All told, this is a stunning soundtrack, just the sort of thing a major
summer blockbuster of recent origins needs.
Men in Black 3 contains several good featurettes, an interactive game, a gag reel, and more.
Spot the Alien Game (HD): From the disc: "How good are you at spotting an alien? Step into the practice range an take out the alien
scum. Hitting alien targets scores points and earns medals -- just make sure you don't hit any fellow agents or friends. Using your remote control,
move the targeting icon left and right and select enter to fire your weapon. Select the pop-up button on your remote to exit at any time." Basically,
it's a crude and clumsy first-person shooter that will entertain players for about twenty seconds before it grows old. Pop in Call of Duty instead for an FPS fix.
Partners in Time: The Making of MIB 3 (HD, 26:24): This fast-paced behind-the-scenes supplement features cast and crew
talking up pretty much every part of the movie experience, including performances; plot; the series' core character story; stunt work; the film's time
travel elements; Josh
Brolin's work and place in the film, Jemaine Clement's, Emma Thompson's and Michael Stuhlbarg's characters and work; shooting in New York; visual
effects, production design, props, and sets; alien creature design; Barry Sonnenfeld's style, vision, and direction; making the film's big finale; and the
drama that shapes
the film's end.
The Evolution of Cool: MIB 1960's vs. Today (HD, 11:14): A fun glimpse into both updating Men in Black for 2012 as
well as designing the headquarters, props, and costumes for 1969.
Keeping it Surreal: The Visual FX of MIB 3 (HD, 10:26): A closer look at the film's special effects and creature design, including
discussions of
seamless integration and a look at various scenes in several stages of digital progress.
Scene Investigations (HD, 17:25): Cast and crew offer a detailed look into the making of several crucial scenes, including Lunar
Prison Escape, Showdown at Mr. Wu's, J's Time Jump, and The Motorcycle
Chase.
Progression Reels (HD, 17:37): Animation Supervisor Spencer Cook and VFX Supervisors Ken Ralston and Jay Redd offer voiceover
commentary discussing design and digital effects as they relate to the following elements and scenes: 'MIB 3' Trailer, Creating the Weasel,
Alien Fish, Agent J Prepares to Time Jump, Motorcycle Chase, and Creating Cape Canaveral.
Gag Reel (HD, 3:54).
Music Video (HD, 3:34): "Back in Time" by Pitbull.
Men in Black 3 is a fundamentally fun big-budget diversion that retains the spirit of its predecessors while going in a somewhat different
direction via a drastic alteration of time. It boasts the usual assortment of Men in Black goodies, including cool characters, interesting aliens,
sleek
technology, high-powered action, and big time special effects. That basic Men in Black essence carries it through to a satisfying dramatic
conclusion, and the film certainly redeems the series and returns it to prominence after a decade of bad taste left after Men in Black II. Best of
all, however, is Josh Brolin's amazing performance as a young Agent K; here's hoping the filmmakers find a way to incorporate him into future
installments. Sony's Blu-ray 2D release of Men in Black features breathtaking video, superb audio, and an assortment of extras that's fine but
lacking a few key cogs, namely a commentary track. Altogether, however, the strong A/V presentation along with the film's entertainment value earn
this release a hearty
recommendation.
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