Men in Black showed such promise in the preview - it delivers everything in the preview and almost nothing more. Some interesting production design, a couple of predictable but humorous digs at famous people, and some amusing bits strung together make this movie the cuisine equivalent of a light Chinese meal.

Will Smith's likeability, which makes him a good foil to the practically personality-free character that Tommy Lee Jones plays, seems forced (more so than normal) and Jones' looks like he wishes he could have had some of the funny lines. The creatures were pretty interesting looking, and there is a weird farmer guy who was an interesting side story, but all in all, it was kinda....well....

There is a plot but it's really just a linear slice of time rather than an actual plot - oh they try to hook us into some kind of suspense with a countdown clock and all that, but really, are we ever in doubt? At least in movies where there are possibly apocalyptic events that MIGHT happen if our heroes come through, we are all wound up thinking "My god, how will they ever do that thing and make that doohickey?" Not so here. MiB exists for critters, cool toys, and cute bits. It felt vaguely like a skit comedy show with one running theme.

I say matinee price rather than rental JUST so you can see all the cool critters and things down at MiB headquarters and such visuals - but you have seen almost the entire thing already, you just don't know it.

Rent Independence Day for Will Smith and effects, see Men in Black because it's a hot summer afternoon and you don't have much else to do.

But don't pay more than matinee price.

karina