Men In Black

1997, Amblin Entertainment et al

Finally, Will Smith gets a sci-fi/comic role that really suits him—made better still by being paired with Tommy Lee Jones (the actors' names having spooky appropriateness). In fact, everything about Men In Black feels right, thanks in large part to director Barry Sonnenfeld's decidedly off-kilter sensibilities. There are plenty of genuine laughs in this keeper, although Vincent D'Onofrio really stole the show as Edgar the Bug.

DKS 12/17/17

GRUMPY OLD FART-O-METER® Rating:

Smells Like Roses!

 

Men In Black II

2002, Amblin Entertainment et al

Although it was reasonably successful at the box office, Men In Black II didn't have the same magical spark as its predecessor, despite the fact that Barry Sonnenfeld was still at the helm. The convoluted plot was populated by entirely too many aliens—another case of "more is [not] better." But it still had a few good laughs, thanks to the great onscreen chemistry of Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones.

DKS 12/17/17

GRUMPY OLD FART-O-METER® Rating:

Tolerable

 

Men In Black 3

2012, Amblin Entertainment et al

Although Men In Black III demonstrated a much-needed course-correction, it wasn't quite enough to return it to its full former glory. Still, Josh Brolin as a young Tommy Lee Jones was a stroke of pure casting genius, with Brolin providing most of the laughs as well as much of the heart. The story did get a tad squishy at times, but Sonnenfeld still held everything together well enough to ensure that MIB III remains in the video collection.

DKS 12/17/17

GRUMPY OLD FART-O-METER® Rating:

Almost Nice

 

Men In Black: International

2019, Amblin Entertainment et al

Despite dismal reviews (23% Rotten Tomato score), International at least managed to break even. For me, this needless trip back to a well run dry was saved almost entirely by Chris Hemsworth's indominable charm, as well as good chemistry with Tessa Thompson. Liam Neeson and Emma Thompson do their best to maintain their dignity, although it was a lost cause, for the most part.

DKS 3/10/23

GRUMPY OLD FART-O-METER® Rating:

SBD

 

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