Film Corner!

So, this weekend, Iain and I saw Men in Black 3, about which neither one of us was super excited. Both of us had liked, but not loved, the first two films, and we were a bit dubious that the franchise would hold up 15 years later. Basically, we had low expectations going in, but were hopeful.

Well! It was very good!

The one big problem with the film is that it does not pass the Bechdel Test, and, in the year of our lord Jesus Jones two thousand and twelve, that is truly pathetic. You've got Emma Thompson in your film and you can't bother to do anything interesting with her, or even have her speak to another female person? Come on.

But there's a lot to recommend, too.

It was nice to see Will Smith again, after a four-year hiatus from films following a period where he was overexposed and not even in service to decent flicks. (More like Oy Robot, amirite?) Welcome back, Will Smith! I like you!

Tommy Lee Jones. 'Nuff said.

Josh Brolin does a ridiculously awesome impression of Tommy Lee Jones. It's unusual for a dramatic actor to be known as a good impressionist, right? But Josh Brolin did a spot-on Mondo Fucko in W, and he does an even better TLJ in MIB3. It's really impressive.

Jemaine Clement (Flight of the Conchords) is swell as the baddie, Boris. The special effects around Boris are also very nifty, and I didn't feel as though I've seen them a million times before.

Mostly, though, I just loved the story (especially the Grif bits). I am a sucker for any kind of time travel stuff, but beyond that: Iain and I were thinking and talking about the story a lot afterwards; we both found it just so unexpectedly moving. Granted, both of us have actively heat-seeking cockles, but even granting our dispositions toward mush, there was just a deep sweetness that is far too rare.

Anyway! Recommended.