Men in Black 3

Agents J (Will Smith) and K (Tommy Lee Jones) are back! And this time they are not only time-traveling in order to save the planet but also to discover uncanny revelations about their relationship. The story begins in Manhattan, where curious Agent J realizes how little he really knows about his taciturn partner, Agent K—a realization that coincides with the escape of a ferocious Boglodite alien, Boris the Animal (Jemaine Clement), whom K incarcerated 40 years earlier. When Boris time-travels back to wreak revenge on Agent K in 1969, Agent J must join him in the past. At first, it's not easy for smooth-talking Agent J to convince affable young Agent K (now played by Josh Brolin) that he is back from the future, but once he does, the pair are off on an incredible retro-adventure that takes them from Coney Island to a historic Mets' game at Shea Stadium to Cape Canaveral for the Apollo 11 moon launch. Also on hand are Michael Stuhlbarg as a soft-spoken, prophetic alien, visualizing multiple realities; Emma Thompson as the new MIB chief; Bill Hader as artist Andy Warhol; and cameos by Lady Gaga and Justin Bieber. Sharply directed by Barry Sonnenfeld, this engaging prequel is engrossing entertainment, serving up comedy, suspense, and intrigue. Recommended. [Note: DVD/Blu-ray extras include a “Partners in Time” making-of featurette (27 min.), a gag reel (4 min.), the “Back in Time” music video by Pitbull, and trailers. Exclusive to the Blu-ray release are “Scene Investigations” behind-the-scenes segments (18 min.), “Progression Reels” (18 min.), “The Evolution of Cool” on set design (12 min.), “Keeping it Surreal” on special effects (11 min.), the “Spot the Alien” game, and bonus DVD and UltraViolet copies of the film. Bottom line: a solid extras package for an entertaining threequel.] (S. Granger)