Back to black

Cinema with Daniil Novikov and Sergey Baklagin

Even "Mercedes" can be an alien

Probably, most of the continuation (sequels) of cash films is perceived by the audience with interest and enthusiasm. It is easier to shoot such paintings and directors, since the actors are already familiar with their roles, and it is easier for producers to “promote” them, and, in essence, the name with an orderly number is the best advertising.

Next year, the second parts of the “matrices”, “X-Men”, “Harry Potter”, “Spider-Man”, coupled with “Terminator 3”, “James Bond 20” and “Indiana Jones 4”, are waiting for us. In general, fans of all of the above films should begin to prepare for the next movie season.

“People in Black 2” (Men in Black II Aka MIIB, 2002) Barry Sonnenfeld are quite suitable as a training viewing.

LVCh2 was removed after four years after the triumph of his predecessor, who raised more than $ 85 million to the first weekend and became the most box office of 1997. Four years is a standard period for the publication of the sequel, and, as a rule, the development of science and technology that has occurred during this time allows you to use more impressive visual effects in the new series, while the uniqueness of novelty, the special spirit of the first part disappear, only familiar characters remain in new circumstances. And if in the first, initial part of the salvation of the planet and (or) all of humanity looks like a logically sound resolution of accumulated problems, then the repeated repetition of this plot leads to a mocking-irony perception of the main characters and the entire attributes of the film as a whole.

All of the above cannot be attributed to LVCh2 - the continuation of the "people in black." Of course, computer technologies have gone ahead of four years, and where dolls with motorcycles were used in the first part, now the magicians of keyboards and scanners from ILM (Industrial Light and Magic) are refueled. However, the technical novelties only simplified, accelerated the process of creating the film, and the first part does not lose the second visual terms. In general, we had the opinion that both films are completely equivalent, even identical to each other. Of course, they cannot be replaced by places due to the chronology of events, but the HDF and the LCH2 look just like one two-part film, and as we have already noticed, the four-year anti-inspection did not affect the very novelty and special spirit of the picture.

It is unlikely that anyone could miss the first film about a secret special service five years ago, which controls the activity of aliens on our planet and protecting the Earth from the discharge of the Universe. But just in case, for the uninitiated, the initial data. The black policeman (Will Smith) enters the service in the secret institution “People in Black” at the beginning of the experienced agent Kay (K), whose role is played by Tommy Lee Jones. The eccentric beginner, in accordance with the organization’s code, goes into a new life under the name of agent Jay (J), and along with the gloomy and laconic K, they form a unique tandem that terrifying all cosmic villains. In the final, the paintings to “resign” and, supposedly after a coma, returns to a peaceful life. J is forced to erase from the memory of his teacher all the memories associated with the activities of "people in black."

In the second part, J takes a new partner in the person (is?) Of a talking pug named Frank. However, their union will not be destined to exist for a long time. “People in Black” face an unexpected threat that can destroy the entire galaxy. Only an agent K, who has found his calling (purpose?) In the work, can cope with her. He is returned to his memory, and now, four years later, friends are reunited again to destroy Serlin - the beauty and the monster “in one bottle” performed by Lara Flynn Boyle.

The stunning, absolutely special world of “people in black” was created by Lawen Canningam, the author of the comics of the same name. On the screen, this world was embodied by Barry Sonnenfeld (“Get a Shorty”, “Family of the Adams”) with the support of Stephen Spielberg himself. LVCh is a completely reckless scientific and fiction comedy, which has, at the same time, its own unique style. The super-spoke agents of J and K use not only a grandiose arsenal of military equipment to combat space villains (although the “proton detonator” and “awesome large bazuka”, of course, deserve special attention). As a weapon, they use Stirlitz’s calm and composure and incomparable cosmic humor.

But still, the main dignity of these heroes is a sense of style. Elite agents should look accordingly to their status, wear black-ban black glasses, drive around an amazing imagination of a car. Agent J uses the latest development of the German concern Mercedes - model 2003 E -500. This gorgeous machine is packed to capacity with incredible lotions, and sometimes it seems that this is also one of the agents of the headquarters of the LCHH, even more closed.

Acting game? Despite all respect for Tommy Lee Jones, who played dozens of delightful roles (“client”, “double miscalculation”, “J.F.K.”, “ministers of the law”, “born killers”, “Batman Forever”), he is clearly not a comedic actor. It is worth recognizing that in playing attitude both parts are kept exclusively on Will Smith (“Independence Day”, “Wild, Wild West”, “Ali”), whose energy beats over the edge. The pragmatic and silent Tommy Lee Jones can only be nearby and contrast at his counterpart. This technique is often used in comedy paintings, one of the vivid examples is Eddie Murphy and Robert de Niro, who recently played Police Police Police.

I really do not want to compare the LCH2 with my predecessor again, but still we have noticed some alarming facts. In the second part, the bizarre world of Sonnenfeld rejoice over our heroes. Their carefully thought-out characters fade due to the accumulation of jokes and jokes with which the film is stuffed.

What is worth, for example, a brood of non-prunate cockroaches-compmandos or a giant ring worm, devouring wagons of the metro trains. Serlina, Charlie-Skrad, with an additional head in a backpack, as well as a pious people from the storage room, the main artifact of which is the agent’s electronic clock, (“Glory, Jay!”) Deserves special attention.

In LVCH2, you will even meet Michael Jackson as an alien (more precisely of himself), however, there are enough singers in the film without him. The inspirational, delightful singing of the dog-agent Frank will not leave anyone indifferent, and we have heard a long time about the musical inclinations of Will Smith. It was after participating in the soundtrack of the LCH, which was played on every corner, that he decided to try his hand at the world pop.

"People in Black 2" does not have a claim to the status of a science fiction action or thriller; This is a comedy, in places even a thin parody of such fantastic militants or films about James Bond. Do not perceive the LCHS as something serious, from which one can demand compliance with the laws of logic or physics. This is a caricature, a cartoon on the mass genres of a feature cinema, so you can go to the cinema at any convenient time, and maybe better even after a hard day, since the film cannot but improve the mood. Watch and relax. "Glory, Jay!"

Gratitude of the authors: Salon "Magic Video" for the materials provided.

The film can be seen in the cinema "Victory" since August 19.