Men in Black: 3

Here come the Men in Black, for a third instalment of intergalactic, border patrol shenanigans. Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones revise their roles as agents J and K as they put on the last suit they’ll ever wear… again… again. This time the Fresh prince must travel back to the 1960s and the early days of the Men in Black in order to prevent an evil alien from assassinating his partner K when he was young, and thus change the shape of the future.

Perhaps whilst he is there Big Will should invest in his own film career, which would seem to be the smart money considering his massive fame and star status these days. Maybe he already has, perhaps this was all meant to be Carlton’s future until Smith changed it? Whatever the reason, Smith’s patented charisma does not come cheap these days, and neither does anything else in this movie. This is a film full of special effects that look suitably out of this world, with the usual array of unusual aliens, explosions and futuristic gadgets. This time however, the action is in 3D – including a stomach lurching fall from the top of the Empire State building, so make sure you go easy on the nachos and cheese!

The comedy, whilst pitched at a level that kids will enjoy should also hit a mark with everyone somewhere. The script is good and provides some great lines for a great cast including Bill Hader’s great cameo as Andy Warhol and Flight of the Conchords’ Jemaine Clement in what we hope will be the start of many larger Hollywood roles. Emma Thompson is, as always, brilliant as Agent O, and Smith and Jones bicker along nicely as they do the whole buddy movie/odd couple partnership as well as anyone since 48 hours. It is Josh Brolin that, for me, steals the show doing his impression of the young(er) Tommy Lee Jones.

See this film if you like fast, wacky action with laughs along the way, or if you are hypnotised by Smith. You won’t be disappointed, and if you are, simply look into the light here…