2002, 1 hr 30 min., Rated PG-13 for sci-fi action violence and some provocative humor.�Dir: Barry Sonnenfeld. Cast: Will Smith (Agent J), Tommy Lee Jones (Kevin Brown/Agent K), Rip Torn (Zed), Rosario Dawson (Rita), Lara Flynn Boyle (Serleena), Johnny Knoxville (Scard/Charlie), Patrick Warburton (Agent T), David Cross (Video Store Clerk), Tony Shalhoub (Jeebs).

First, I'd like to say that the animated short before the movie, The Chubb Chubbs, was very cute, and I like that a few movies have done this the past few years. Also, I'll pass on good news, that Warner Bros. announced that it will make new Bugs Bunny & Pals shorts to go in front of films in the near future.

Before that, though, was a good run of trailers to take advantage of the Independence Day weekend audience: Star Trek: Nemisis (which is No. 10, an even number and thus will be good); Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (can't wait - who knew someday I'd be geeked for my brother's passion?); I Spy (buddy cop flick with Owen Wilson and Eddie Murphy); Terminator 3 (which was really just a teaser but I picked it out right away and perked up); and some chick-surfing movie that I'll only see as long as I'm promised to see some of them nude. Wait. Was that my out-loud voice? Sorry.

Now, on to the show!

Okay, I admit it. I've been stalling. I was disappointed in the sequel to Men in Black, which was a very cool film that had a style and wit that were a perfect match for the plot. Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones clicked as the unlikely secret agent partners, and everything (meaning the aliens and technology) was so new and original that you were constantly surprised. This time, not so much.

Maybe it was just trying to be too cutesy, and ended up a little cartoonish with jokes that were too obvious. Just as cartoonish seemed to be most of the effects, which were slick but perceptible every time, especially during action sequences.

There were only a few belly-laughs, and a few more that would be, except that I've seen them in the trailers for the past six months. And since we've already seen the MIB universe, nothing surprised me.

I did get a kick out of a few bits: The "Mysteries of History" conspiracy show that sets up the plot; the locker; a couple of fun cameos with more celebrity aliens; and David Cross, the nerdy guy from "Mr. Show" who works in a video store. Smith and Jones still work well together, and Patrick Warburton was a nice, if brief, addition. And Rosario Dawson is an absolute doll in her small yet meaningful role.

Lara Flynn Boyle, however, is not nearly as sexy as she thinks. In my humble opinion, of course. But even among "The Practice" babes, she rates only above Camryn Manheim, and frankly, even Bobby is more attractive!

So while MIB2 puts a smile on your face, it falls short of the magic of the original.