By Kate Rodger
It's been almost four years since Will Smith's last film. That's quite a break for one of planet Earth's biggest movie stars.
But of course, planet Earth isn't the only domain for Smith's Men in Black persona. Agent J spends more time dealing with the extra-terrestrial, and in the case of this latest Men in Black, that extra-terrestrial is Kiwi Jemaine Clement.
Clement is Boris the Animal, Men in Black III’s major badass alien.
Far from relatively harmless, he escapes from a lunar lock-up, hell-bent on hunting down Agent K (Tommy Lee Jones) and having somewhat lethal words with him about the forced removal of his arm.
This involves some time travel, something Agent J (Will Smith) must indulge in, if he's to save his colleague's life.
This is when things shift gears as the brilliant Josh Brolin steps in as a younger Agent K and his pitch-perfect performance is a joy to behold.
The best way to wrap-up this latest Men in Black, is like this: it's better than the last one - not much of a challenge I agree - and not as good as the first.
One of the franchise's strengths is multi-Oscar winner Rick Baker and his amazing alien creations. He goes ‘60s retro here, in keeping with the time travel theme, and does another excellent job. I could have done with some more aliens in the mix as a result, they were a little too few and far between.
Clement's Boris mostly delivered, but oddly enough was far from the best use of the actor's comic strengths.
I for one welcomed Will Smith back onto the big screen, but it was Josh Brolin's insanely flawless Tommy Lee Jones impression which won me over. And clocking in at a perfectly timed one hour thirty minutes, Men in Black III doesn't overstay it's welcome.
Three stars.
Men in Black III
:: Director: Barry Sonnenfeld
:: Starring: Will Smith, Tommy Lee Jones and Josh Brolin
:: Running Time: 90 mins
:: Rating: M - Violence
:: Release Date: May 24, 2012
:: Trailer: Watch here
