--- title: "Men in Black 3: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/men-in-black-3/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/men-in-black-3" critics_score: 59 critics_reviews: 20 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Men in Black 3 (2012): what the critics said Critics' score 59 from 20 reviews: 7 positive, 7 mixed, 6 negative. The reviews split almost evenly three ways, and the overall lean is a shrug: better than the second film, short of the first. The critics agree on Josh Brolin, whose turn as the younger Agent K is praised in nearly every review, usually for how closely he catches Tommy Lee Jones and sometimes for the warmth underneath the impression. The 1969 stretch fares best, with the Andy Warhol Factory scene and the period design singled out more than once. The Hollywood Reporter is the warmest, calling it a return to the series’ original appeal. The spread is wide, from firm endorsement to near-dismissal. Reservations cluster on the script and the jokes, which several find stale, and on an ending that strikes more than one critic as sentimental or unconvincing. The harshest reviews describe a film without energy: The Wrap finds Smith and Jones disengaged, and The New Yorker calls the whole thing largely inert. Even the dissenters tend to keep Brolin out of the firing line. ## The Hollywood Reporter — THR Staff Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 21 May 2012. The review says the film restores the franchise’s original magic and makes a strong case for another installment. It praises Josh Brolin’s convincing take on a younger Agent K and the brisk, entertaining time-travel adventure. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/men-black-3-film-review-327501/) ## Radio Times — Stella Papamichael Rating 4/5. Papamichael finds the film a charming, action-packed return to form after the disappointing second instalment. She singles out Josh Brolin’s performance as young K as a scene-stealing highlight. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-vyh7a1/men-in-black-3/) ## The AV Club — Nathan Rabin Rating B. 24 May 2012. Rabin finds the film inessential but sufficiently entertaining to justify its existence. He praises the cast’s dramatic ability, especially Josh Brolin’s warmth and Tommy Lee Jones’s expressive sadness. [Read the review](https://www.avclub.com/men-in-black-3-1798172910) ## Los Angeles Times — Betsy Sharkey Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 25 May 2012. Sharkey finds the film campy fun that restores much of the series’ appeal, though it falls short of the original’s inventiveness. She especially praises Josh Brolin’s brilliant channeling of Tommy Lee Jones as the younger Agent K. [Read the review](https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2012-may-25-la-et-men-in-black-3-20120525-story.html) ## Evening Standard Fi1m's normalised score 65/100 (inferred from the text). 25 May 2012. The critic finds the sequel entertaining but less fresh than the original, with its ending striking a sour note. Josh Brolin’s convincing performance as young Agent K is singled out for praise. [Read the review](https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/film/men-in-black-3d-review-7785777.html) ## The Guardian — Philip French Fi1m's normalised score 65/100 (inferred from the text). 26 May 2012. French finds the film moderately enjoyable, with its time-travel turn giving the franchise a fresh direction. He particularly praises the vertigo-inducing 3D sequences at the Chrysler Building and above the Apollo 11 capsule. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2012/may/27/men-in-black-3-review) ## Variety — Andrew Barker Fi1m's normalised score 65/100 (inferred from the text). 22 May 2012. The critic finds the sequel’s spirit largely intact, though its uneven edges and sentimental ending hold it back. Josh Brolin’s quietly funny, remarkably convincing performance as young Agent K is singled out for praise. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2012/film/reviews/men-in-black-3-1117947604/) ## Screen Daily — John Hazelton Fi1m's normalised score 64/100 (inferred from the text). 22 May 2012. The page identifies this as a review, but its text is hidden behind a paywall, so the critic’s verdict is unavailable. No specific praise or complaint can be verified from the accessible page. [Read the review](https://www.screendaily.com/men-in-black-3/5042247.article) ## Time Out — Trevor Johnston Rating 3/5. 21 July 2011. Johnston calls it an okay-ish film that proves more enjoyable than expected. He praises its ability to exceed low expectations; the available text names no specific element of the film. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/men-in-black-3) ## Slant Magazine — John Semley Rating 2/4. 23 May 2012. Semley finds the film dull and pointlessly self-referential, falling short of the original’s lively pleasures. He praises the Factory party scene with Bill Hader and the inventive character of Griffin, but says these moments cannot redeem the film. [Read the review](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/men-in-black-iii/) ## Total Film — Neil Smith Rating 2/5. 18 May 2012. Smith calls the film an average, tonally uncertain sequel that makes its own existence seem questionable. He praises Jemaine Clement as the most successful addition, while faulting the film for underusing him and the younger K pairing. [Read the review](https://www.gamesradar.com/men-in-black-iii-review/) ## Empire — William Thomas Fi1m's normalised score 35/100 (inferred from the text). 16 May 2012. The critic finds the sequel muddled and lacking the wit and chemistry of the earlier films, though it has enough good moments to remain watchable. Josh Brolin’s performance and the Andy Warhol’s Factory sequence stand out for praise. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/men-black-3-review/) ## Vulture — David Edelstein Fi1m's normalised score 35/100 (inferred from the text). Edelstein finds the film competent but weighed down by inertia and a palpable lack of passion. He praises Josh Brolin’s performance and the design of the headquarters, while faulting the script and the film’s humor. [Read the review](https://www.vulture.com/2012/05/mib-3-cant-make-up-for-its-fundamental-inertia.html) ## The New Yorker — Richard Brody Fi1m's normalised score 30/100 (inferred from the text). 25 May 2012. Brody finds the film largely inert, with weak historical resonance and stale characterization. He praises Michael Stuhlbarg’s melancholy performance and the quiet, affecting Shea Stadium scene. [Read the review](https://www.newyorker.com/culture/richard-brody/men-in-black-3-the-uses-of-the-past) ## Digital Spy — Stella Papamichael Rating 4/5. 16 May 2012. Papamichael finds the sequel funny, exciting and surprisingly poignant, with the original films’ charm restored. She especially praises Josh Brolin’s uncanny yet emotionally nuanced performance as young Agent K. [Read the review](https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a381730/men-in-black-iii-review-a-funny-exciting-spectacular-thrill-ride/) ## /Film — Germain Lussier Rating 6 out of 10. 22 May 2012. The critic finds the film passable and entertaining, stronger than the second film but short of the original. They praise the 1969 portion, especially Josh Brolin’s performance and the chemistry between him and Will Smith, while criticizing the awkward, unfunny opening. [Read the review](https://www.slashfilm.com/521003/men-black-3-review-rough-start-saved-strong-finish/) ## Paste — Dan Kaufman Rating 7.5. 24 May 2012. Kaufman finds the film an acceptable, light summer blockbuster that ultimately feels undercooked. He praises its playful 1960s set pieces and Josh Brolin’s performance as the younger Agent K. [Read the review](https://www.pastemagazine.com/movies/men-in-black-iii) ## Den of Geek — Sue Murphy Rating 3/5. 15 January 2013. Murphy finds the sequel enjoyable and a solid improvement on Men in Black 2, despite its scattered plot. She particularly praises Josh Brolin’s convincing, charming performance as the younger Agent K. [Read the review](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/men-in-black-3-review/) ## The Wrap Fi1m's normalised score 40/100 (inferred from the text). 22 May 2012. The critic finds a brisk, clever film weighed down by Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones seeming disengaged. The supporting cast—especially Josh Brolin and Bill Hader—and the film’s design and visual effects earn praise. [Read the review](https://www.thewrap.com/men-black-3-review-will-smith-tommy-lee-jones-drag-down-poop-cool-party-41116/) ## NME — Owen Nicholls Fi1m's normalised score 30/100 (inferred from the text). 27 May 2012. The critic calls the film another nostalgic letdown, with dated jokes and an unconvincing finale undermining it. They praise the familiar production design and the choice of puppets and prosthetics over digital effects. [Read the review](https://www.nme.com/blogs/the-movies-blog/men-in-black-3-film-review-769653) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/men-in-black-3.md