Cinema Review (From Penarth Times)

Cinema Review

AS THE summer rolls into full swing the next big-budget movie to step up and be counted is the sure-fire hit Men in Black II.

Taking a staggering $90 million in its opening five days in the United States, this mega-movie looks set to pack the auditoriums this side of the Atlantic with its fast paced action, great humour and not forgetting black suit wearers Tommy Lee Jones and Will Smith, who reprise their roles as K and J.

Four years have passed since the Men in Black saved the earth from being annihilated by an alien race.

This unofficial, but highly-funded, government agency - who protect the earth from the scum of the universe must once again save the planet from a new kind of invading alien being.

Before J can even think about saving the planet, he must first find K who left the MIB to work at the post office.

He holds the key (in the shape of a hidden memory) to stopping the evil Kylothian, known as Serleena (Lara Flynn Boyle), who disguises herself on earth as an underwear model, in order to get hold of the divine light and take over the universe.

The premise for Men in Black II is almost identical to the first movie, except the guns are bigger and better and the aliens are more wildly eccentric.

Tommy Lee Jones and Will Smith give excellent performances once again; also noteworthy were Rip Torn and Lara Flynn Boyle.

Director Barry Sonenfeld has utilised his cast, sets and special effects to their full potential, but it's the plot line that lets it down.

It's painfully thin in some areas but I'm sure this won't matter to many movie-goers who love this type of action/comedy adventure.