For a sequel that has been released five years after the original, Men In Black 2 feels as if it was put together far too quickly and rushed into theaters. The first Men In Black was a surprise, a terrific movie that was clever and inventive. At under an hour and a half, MIB 2 just zips by with a lot of action, weird aliens, and some entertaining moments. Still, the best parts are mostly from the trailers, and despite the comraderie between Agent K (Tommy Lee Jones) and J (Will Smith), perhaps the biggest flaw of MIB 2 is that it takes far too long to set up, especially for a sequel. K doesn’t even show up until after almost thirty minutes have passed.

J is now a head agent, a by the book officer who has a very difficult time finding a partner quite like K. J might have found his permanent protege in Frank, the talking dog from the original, who is often amusing without going too over the top. But when a plant like alien named Serleena (Laura Flynn Boyle) comes looking for the Light of Zartha, MIB CEO Zed (Rip Torn) knows that only K would have the information as to what this Light of Zartha is, and thus save the planet.

K is now a postal worker, which of course opens the floodgates to several jokes although only a few are used, and has to be de-nueralized to access the memories of an alien landing that will provide the clues to where and what the Light of Zartha is. Got that? Again, you’d think that during the past five years they could’ve come up with something more coherent.

Even though Tommy Lee Jones is top billed, it is Will Smith that carries this movie, and he is the main reason that it is somewhat enjoyable, though not nearly as good as the first one. While Jones was solid as usual, at some parts I thought he was going to fall asleep. I know he’s supposed to be the straight guy (no pun intended), but c’mon, show a little life! Laura Flynn Boyle is a sultry villain and, as she first appears in the movie, would make an excellent Victoria’s Secret model. David Cross returns, again in a small role, as a video store clerk who lives with his parents. His scene is the funniest in the whole movie. Unfortunately, the majority of the film is merely pleasant, very routine, bolstered mainly by the presence of Smith. It is disappointing when a movie, especially one with this cast and director (Barry Sonnenfield), has its occasional wit and charm overcome by a random and hap-hazard manner in both the execution and story.

Rating: **