Although it still remains the threequel nobody was demanding to see, Men in Black III works as a solid creature feature filled with memorable performances and remarkable visual effects.

Ten years since the less than stellar sequel and five years since Will Smith last headlined a movie, Men in Black III is sure to test the public’s desire to watch a one-time box office king star in a follow up to a film that was universally ill received.

With a budget of $215 million and a very public spectacle where filming was stopped due to an uncompleted script (four screenwriters are credited here) it is a risky venture, yet one that should make back its money because Men in Black III is a much better movie than it should have been.

Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones once again team up as agents J & K, big guns from the Men in Back secret organisation that monitor alien activity on Earth. This time they have their work cut out for them when extra-terrestrial serial killer Boris the Animal (Jemaine Clement) escapes from his maximum security prison and travels back in time to kill K. It’s up to J to venture through time, partner up with young K (Josh Brolin) and stop Boris.

Time travel angles usually suggest a lack of creativity, but in Men in Black III it is a novelty used well. Director Barry Sonnenfeld has a knack for creating a live action cartoon and the retro style and colour of the ‘60s is the perfect backdrop for his visual senses that suits the type of light weight sci-fi action spectacle on show.

The inclusion of new blood in Josh Brolin is a welcome one. With Tommy Lee Jones delegated to supporting status and Will Smith’s comedy shtick as old as his moustache, Brolin picks up the slack with an on key performance that see’s the Oscar nominated actor perfectly portray the mannerisms and persona expected in a portrayal of a young Tommy Lee Jones.

Yet the real star here (as with every Men in Black film) is Rick Baker’s make-up effects and creature designs, effectively transforming likeable Flight of the Conchords star Jemaine Clement into a monstrous baddie and continuing to surprise with his barrage of innovative alien creatures. Visual effects by Jay Reed and Ken Ralston are also top grade.

So what we have in Men in Black III is a solidly entertaining film that could have been a lot worse. Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones are the draw, but it will be Josh Brolin and Rick Baker who will be remembered as saviours of what could have been one costly blockbuster blunder.