When a movie makes as much money as Men in Black, you can damn well bet that there will be a sequel. Sadly, it seems, money is the only thing that seemed to inspire this lifeless follow up.

In Men in Black II, Will Smith re-recruits Tommy Lee Jones back into the M.I.B. because of some useful information that the now postal worker has in his head. Reunited, the fearless duo must do battle with an alien life form that wants to take over the world (how original).

I really enjoyed the first Men in Black. I didn't think it was greatness, but I did enjoy it's lively spirit and hilarious inside jokes. Men in Black II, by comparison, is pretty forgettable. I don't want to give the impression that I hated this picture. I didn't. It has it's charms, but most of the time, I found myself bored.

Will Smith has proven time and time again that he's likable and charismatic with the star power to carry a film (with exception of maybe Wild Wild West). Here, he can't seem to find a rhythm. He's just going through the motions. Tommy Lee Jones can't do anything to elevate the material either. While these two fine actors have shown that they have good chemistry, Men in Black II does not allow them to showcase it. Lara Flynn Boyle is attractive but makes for a dull villain, while Johnny Knoxville (from MTV's Jackass) doesn't seem to have a purpose in the film at all. The rest of the cast clock in at such a minimum amount of screen time, that they are unable to shine.

What has happened to director Barry Sonnenfeld? He seems really disinterested in finding good material to work with. I enjoyed Get Shorty and also liked his adaptations of The Adams Family. Lately, however, I've become increasingly bored by his films. I'm starting to think that he's bored also.

I won©öt spend any time analyzing this film's script, because I don't believe there is one. It's as if the entire movie has been improvised, expanding things that worked in the last installment (such as that talking dog) and making them larger. This means more talking dog. Most of the jokes here are forced and unfunny. Even Will Smith seems to have a hard time delivering these lines. All of the inside jokes and cameos that worked so well the last time out, are traded in for ones that seem far too self concious and over the top.

Although there is one bit part in this picture that really made me laugh. It was obvious to be sure, but just the fact that the studio got him to commit is hilarious in itself. Alas, every time an interesting idea or funny situation is introduced in Men in Black II, the film makers are compelled to ditch it before it has a chance to gel. Instead of getting more out of Men in Black II, we just get more of the same.

And once again, here we have a film in which impressive special effects seem to be the draw. Men in Black II offers much more effects work than it's predessesor. Why couldn't they channel a little more energy into the screenplay? At least Spider-Man and Attack of the Clones tried to tell a story.

I wouldn't call Men in Black II a bad movie but of all the big summer films thus far, it is certainly the most forgetable. Quite frankly, this movie always seems as if it's in a hurry to end. If you blink you'll miss it.

The tag line for Men in Black II reads; Same planet, new scum. It should simply read; Same movie. Old jokes.