Men in Black III

This isn't exactly a show-stopping masterpiece of alien-buddy-comedy-adventures. With few exceptions (the Bourne series, Mission: Impossible), action franchises aren't known for third films that are as critically and popularly regarded as the originals. So it's no surprise -- especially considering that it's been a decade since Men in Black II came out -- that MIB III doesn't hold up all that well. But with that caveat in mind, J and K's return is entertaining enough, even though there aren't nearly as many laughs (or aliens) as in the first film.

What works best in this installment is the addition of Brolin as a young K. He nails Jones' gravelly, laconic style without being nearly as grumpy. He is, after all, four decades younger and less hardened. Brolin and Smith still have the signature odd-couple rapport, but without as much as scowling. And moving the action to 1969 allows for some '60s humor, like the idea that Andy Warhol (SNL regular Bill Hader) is actually a secret agent or that cops would naturally mistake any black man driving a fancy convertible for an athlete, entertainer, or thief. Clement is also particularly funny in the scenes when menacing Boris' past and future selves meet and argue (he should be cast in more movies). Overall, MIB III is a moderately amusing release, but the summer of 2012 belongs to The Avengers.