Writer: Nurul Yezid

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Watch this if you liked: "Men In Black" and "Men In Black II"

It's time to suit up and go on an intergalactic journey with the men in black! Back with their 3rd instalment after a 10 year hiatus, the film is a sequel to the somewhat disappointing sequel "Men In Black II" in 2002. But with "Men In Black 3", you wouldn't need a 'neuraliser' to erase you memory, as it not only showcases your favourite actors in their best form, but also manages to recapture the old magic that came along with the original film.

As Barry Sonenfeld's ("Men In Black I & II") third attempt on the director's seat and first collaboration with screenwriter, Etan Cohen ("Tropic Thunder"), it's not surprising to see a perfect balance of humour and action being instilled in this film. Apart from perfectly translating every bit of the director and screenwriter's vision into the screen, it's also a surprise to see that both actors, Tommy Lee Jones and Will Smith still haven't lost their chemistry with each other even after a 10 year gap in playing partners, Agent K and Agent J respectively. All their usual bickering, jokes and demeanours are still the same as you would have remembered them to be. The first few minutes into the film, audiences would expect the storyline to be similar to that of any other "Men In Black" films, where both agents perform their 'secretive' duties in protecting the earth from any alien threat. But that's the only similarity one can find, as Agent J (Will Smith) will be taking you on a journey back in time, to the early years on MIB's operation in the 1960's, in order to stop an alien from murdering his friend cum partner Agent K (Tommy Lee Jones). While there, Agent J encounters a younger version of Agent K (Josh Brolin), and to his surprise, some secrets of the universe that the older version Agent K has failed to tell him.

However if you are expecting to see Tommy Lee Jones slinging his alien built weapon and blasting the head of an regenerating alien during the entire film, then you might be disappointed. But what it lacks in Jones', it makes up with the introduction of a younger version of him, in the form of Brolin. Despite being influenced with Jones' mannerisms, Brolin certainly delivers a standing ovation worthy portrayal as Agent K. His voice, his looks and the chemistry he shares with Smith is a match for that the latter shares with his older counterpart. There certainly no one else who could have played it better than Brolin as a younger Agent K, and though he might have drew some comparisons between Jones in certain circumstances, Brolin still manages to deliver a fresh performance in interpreting Agent K's personality as his own.

Besides the returning characters, the film also introduces some new characters such as Agent O (Emma Thompson), Griffin (Michael Sthulbarg) the loveably innocent alien, and Boris the Animal (Jemaine Clement) that make up the colourful and odd characters in the film. However with the involvement of Steven Spielberg as the producer, who is of course a big fan of sci-fi and his never ending fascination towards alien related films ("E.T" & "Close Encounters of The Third Kind" anyone?), you can also expect to see a more dramatic and family friendly theme in this film. Other than that, stars such as Alice Eve, who plays the younger version Agent O, Nicole Sherzinger, Bill Hader and even Lady Gaga make some brief appearances, but it would take a very keen eye in order to spot the oddly dressed Lady Gaga in the sea of extraterrestrial beings!

Besides, the unique and incredible storyline, the cinematic experience is definitely something to be enjoyed. With dazzling weaponries and puppeteers, the make-up team for this production deserves to be commended for their effort in delivering very surreal and impressive make ups of its aliens inhabitants, especially for Boris the Animal.

"Men In Black 3" could have easily been the end of a franchise, but instead it became a newly improved version of what the previous sequel have been lacking to display. The film is just great fun from the beginning until the end, and though it may not be near perfect to the current blockbuster film, "Marvel's The Avengers", it still able to withstand on its own. So if you wished to relive those nostalgic moments with the characters do go ahead and watch it, as the old characters from previous films do make their presence felt from time to time. But if you're new to the franchise, then you would probably fall in love with it!

"Men In Black 3" is showing in Malaysia in the standard 35mm, 2D and 3D format while its available in the 35mm, 2D, 3D and IMAX 2D format in Singapore.

Cinema Online, 18 May 2012