Men in Black II (2002) - Newspaper Ad

Oakland Tribune - July 3, 2002

Sequels, like all creative endeavors, exist on a spectrum. One that has three distinct points on its gradient.

First, and considered best, are the sequels that continue or evolve the pre-existing story in new and unique ways. This is where you will find the likes of The Bride of Frankenstein, The Godfather Part II, and The Empire Strikes Back.

Second, and where today's subject rests, is the most common and recognizable type of sequel. Which is to just replicate the first film's structure or story beats, albeit with some cosmetic changes that will make it appear 'all-new' and therefore different, and dial up all the stuff people loved or remember from the first. Think Jaws 2 or Die Hard 2, etc.

Third, and last, would be the anthology or in-name-only sequels. These are your James Bond, Dirty Harry, and Blind Dead films, which feature a reoccurring character, or characters, but do not continue a fixed storyline. Also folded into this example are the plethora of direct-to-video sequels that would just slap a franchise name on an unrelated film and call it a sequel. The Howling and Witchcraft 'sequels' are good examples of this. Also, Hellraiser.

Now let me get out of these weeds and back to today's ad, which is for Men in Black 2. While the first film was something of a delightful unicorn, this sequel... was not. The first Men in Black ended with the now seasoned Agent Jay (Will Smith) with a new partner, protecting the planet from the scum of the universe.

While there were two tie-in novels that attempted to deliver on the promise of that ending, The Green Saliva Blues, published in 1999, and The Grazer Conspiracy, published in 2000, this sequel presses the dreaded reset button.

Jay's partner washed out and Kay's retirement was a bust. The 'all-new' cosmetic change here being that it is Jay who has to break in the amnesiac Kay. Also new, the alien threat disguising itself as an underwear clad female model. Yay, I guess?