6.9 | / 10 |
Users | 4.1 | |
Reviewer | 3.5 | |
Overall | 4.1 |
Agent Jay travels back in time to 1969, where he teams up with a younger version of Agent Kay to stop an evil alien from destroying the future.
Starring: Will Smith, Tommy Lee Jones, Josh Brolin, Jemaine Clement, Emma ThompsonAction | 100% |
Sci-Fi | 63% |
Comedy | 23% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 MVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (48kHz, 16-bit)
French: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (48kHz, 16-bit)
Spanish: Dolby Digital 5.1
English, English SDH, French, Spanish
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Three-disc set (2 BDs, 1 DVD)
UV digital copy
DVD copy
Blu-ray 3D
Slipcover in original pressing
Region A, B (C untested)
Movie | 3.5 | |
Video | 4.5 | |
Audio | 5.0 | |
Extras | 3.0 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
The truth is the only path.
First time unique, second time a dud, third time a charm. Men in Black III is a strong
compliment to the series, gives further shape to its characters, approaches the first film in overall quality, and vaults past the second film by plot leaps
and humor bounds. However, it isn't so much a humorous conspiracy movie like its peers; it's rather a more straightforward Sci-Fi Action/Comedy that
retains
the series' hallmark aliens, visual style, and sleekness. MiB 3 recovers the franchise and returns it to prominence with a ridiculously fun ride
that might be a touch dramatically shallow (at least until a superb ending) but that does highly entertain from beginning to end. Good new characters,
great casting, strong visual
effects, and a fast-paced plot that allows the slick and sleek and cool factors to be substantially elevated all help shape Men in Black 3 into a
classic summer fan-pleasing blockbuster sequel.
Four greens against a Blu-ray?
Men in Black 3's converted 3D transfer isn't the worst to ever find its way to Blu-ray, but neither is it in any way a reference-grade 3D image.
There's a fairly good sense of general depth to most scenes. Long corridors feel lengthy, falls from skyscrapers give the illusion of rapidly-shrinking
distance between the viewer and the ground, wide-open spaces feel wide-open, and even those more confined shots -- back-and-forth dialogue
between J
and K in a vehicle, for instance -- offer noticeable spacing between the men, bodies and the back of the car seat, and so on. There are even a few nice
visual effects that play with added spatial dazzle. A brief laser show in chapter two dances with accurate depth in and out of the screen, holographic
MiB
displays take on a very real and obvious shape, and Boris' organic "darts" seem to pass beyond the boundaries of the screen and into the living room,
threatening to pierce viewers' eyes. Beyond that, there's not much here. Many scenes don't look appreciably more extra-dimensional here than they
do
in the standalone 2D release. The review equipment did display a few crosstalk issues, doubling
the
edges of the title cards, shadowing a shoulder here and there, or making a collar appear quasi-transparent.
In other news, the 2D attributes hold up well, but the movie doesn't look quite as good here as it does in the 2D version. Comparisons reveal an
immediate drop-off in vibrancy and brightness from the beginning prison break sequence. It's one of the darker stretches in the movie and it looks
even
darker in 3D, not to mention a bit muddled and bland. Colors never really pop under any darker backdrops, but they do look quite nice in bright locales
or
daytime stretches, such as the nearly blindingly white MiB offices or the Coney Island sequence. Details remain firm throughout; visual complexities
aren't really lost in 3D, though the image doesn't always seem quite as dynamic, sturdy, and real as it does in 2D. Blacks are a little overpowering on
occasion, and
faces sometimes look slightly pasty. All in all, it's a good conversion job on both ends of the equation -- the 3D elements are fine but not breathtaking,
and the details and color drop-off isn't too significant -- but not quite up there with the best of the bunch.
Men in Black 3 tears into Blu-ray with an aggressive and enveloping DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack. From the outset, listeners will enjoy a full, seamless presence. Music flows from every corner with a natural balance and authenticity; surround use doesn't feel forced in the slightest, and in fact the added immersion creates quite a soothing and natural sonic environment that sets the stage for the film's more aggressive action elements. Bass proves potent and invigorating, offering firm and heavy rumbles that never stray into unkempt reverberations. An alien attack sequence in chapter six offer a fine example of the track's exemplary low end. Laser blasts, or whatever it is the MiB/alien weapons fire, play with an impressive Sci-Fi sonic signature that's both high pitched and deep at once, a pulsating electric-like sound that not only fires with superb clarity but zings and zooms all over the stage with strikingly natural presence. The big finale offers a barrage of intense, expertly placed, and robustly clear sound effects that place the listener in the middle of the action. On the other end of the spectrum, light ambient effects are faultless. Whether 2012 city din or the light clanking of typewriter keystrokes in the 1969 MiB offices, listeners will delight in the track's natural immersion capabilities. The track is rounded into fine fashion by faultless, center-focused dialogue reproduction. All told, this is a stunning soundtrack, just the sort of thing a major summer blockbuster of recent origins needs.
Men in Black 3's 3D Blu-ray release contains all of the extras from the standalone 2D disc as well as a trio of brief 3D exclusives. Below is
breakdown of what's included on each of this set's two Blu-ray discs. The set also contains a DVD copy and a voucher for an UltraViolet download.
Blu-ray 3D Disc:
Men in Black 3 is a fundamentally fun big-budget diversion that retains the spirit of its predecessors while going in a somewhat different direction via a drastic alteration of time. It boasts the usual assortment of Men in Black goodies, including cool characters, interesting aliens, sleek technology, high-powered action, and big time special effects. That basic Men in Black essence carries it through to a satisfying dramatic conclusion, and the film certainly redeems the series and returns it to prominence after a decade of bad taste left after Men in Black II. Best of all, however, is Josh Brolin's amazing performance as a young Agent K; here's hoping the filmmakers find a way to incorporate him into future installments. Sony's Blu-ray 3D release of Men in Black 3 features serviceable 3D visuals, awesome audio, and a good assortment of extras, including by a couple of brief but appreciated 3D-only features. The 2D version is the better (and cheaper) bet, but most 3D audiences shouldn't be overly disappointed with this one.
2012
2012
w/ Bonus Disc
2012
2012
w/ Bonus Disc
2012
2012
2019
25th Anniversary Edition
1997
2002
2011
2018
1971
1986
2013
IMAX
2013
2017
2013
2009
2007
Cinematic Universe Edition
2018
2015
2011
2013
Limited Edition / Reprint
2018
2017
2014