SLIMY BUGGY“MiB 3”

SLIMY BUGGY“MiB 3”

They received an essential assist from none other than James Brolin (who did a remarkable George W. Bush in Oliver Stone’s bio-pic “W”) to assure the save with his portrayal of Tommy Lee Jones as Jones might have looked in 1969. The thoroughness of Brolin’s preparation for this role is remarkable.

But first, there is a little backstory. We are talking time travel here, so chronologically speaking the backstory could also be considered the prescient forestory…or something.

“MiB 3” starts in present day times (like, today) at a federal prison on the moon where the most dangerous alien criminals in the universe are confined. But nothing can contain Boris the Animal (a genuinely intimidating Jemaine Clement), a master of the universe who is severely focused on mayhem.

Boris is determined to destroy Agent K (Jones) who turned Boris into a one-armed mastermind back in 1969, before K began working with Agent J (Smith).

In the same present time we are introduced to J and K just as they look these days. Jones as K is older and grumpier than ever. Smith is the younger and more ebullient (but no spring chicken, by any means) Agent J who fears that elderly K will be no match for the super-nuclear violence of Boris the Animal.

What’s a loyal partner to do but time travel back to 1969 where he, Agent J, is now the senior to young Agent K, played with hilarious accuracy by Brolin.

So that’s the tandem that puts a new suit of clothes on this tired “Men in Black” franchise. Smith as the smarter one and Brolin as the brash one have a completely different but equally entertaining chemistry in dealing with the slimiest and most grossly disgusting alien life forms you’d ever want (compliments of Rick Baker and company.)

From an artistic standpoint, it’s all those insect-like creatures with many legs, spewing mouths and the most disgusting habits that make the strongest emotional impression. Instead of special effects that use explosions, impossible escapes from outlandish killing machines, etc., “MiB 3” uses gross-out special effects.

From an acting standpoint, Brolin’s mirror-image of Jones’ tone of voice, body language and eccentric mannerisms is so remarkable he doesn’t need to add any actual personality. Agent K was never famous for having a colorful manner anyway.

That’s really all you need to know. Smith’s easy charm is still operable as he eases through middle age. Jones isn’t really on screen all that much. Compared to the chemistry Smith and Brolin create, there really isn’t much happening between Smith and Jones.

For those who are keeping score at home, character actor Michael Stuhlbarg scores big as the human-looking alien named Griffin who can see the future not only on Earth but on several alternate universes all at the same time.

Nobody expects a “Men in Black” movie to deliver much more than simple diversion, anyway. Just know “MiB3” is better than the second one, on a par with the first one. If that’s all you need, this is where to find it.