E.T, You're Under Arrest - TopTenMM Alien Movies

Nominee #18 - Men In Black (1997)

A police officer is drawn into a confidential organisation that interacts and polices extra terrestrial life forces.

Director: Barry Sonnenfeld

Writers: Lowell Cunningham (comic), Ed Solomon (screen story)

Stars: Tommy Lee Jones, Will Smith, Linda Fiorentino

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Blu - Ray

The 90s was entertaining time in Hollywood, the era of action, adventure and absurd fun.

Men In Black (1997) is precisely that, a hilarious adventure. Led by Will Smith and Tommy Lee

Jones, Men In Black is a weird but solidly entertaining ride. Men In Black took a popular

urban legend, the mysterious men dressed in black who always seemed to follow any

supposed extraterritorial occurrence and turned it into classic summer fun.

Will Smith, coming of the success of another alien blockbuster Independence Day plays

undercover NYPD officer James Edwards. When in pursuit of a running criminal he witnesses

something, which seems to defy any possible explanation. Baffled and still recovering by

what he saw Edwards is confronted by Kay, played by Tommy Lee Jones. One thing leads to

another and officer James Edwards is the newest recruit of the MiB.

Men in Black is a buddy-cop film except without cops and with aliens

Men in Black was always at the risk of becoming a disposable spoof, with an absurd premise

and at times nauseating imagery, Men in Black shouldn’t be as entertaining and as brilliant a

it is. But it works and it works well. Firstly, Smith and Jones have fantastic chemistry, a

young sceptic and a senior professional, their banter and relationship add heart to the film.

In fact, at its roots Men in Black is a buddy-cop film except without cops and with aliens.

Jones plays the straight faced, hardened mentor with expertise and Smith’s quick wit and

energy are the life of the film. Vincent D’Onofrio almost unrecognizable as the villainous

Edgar is brilliant as well and adds the right dose of menace in a film that is largely a comedy.

The aliens in Men in Black are perhaps some of the most unique in the genre, with absurd

and often disproportionate designs they’re proof of the creative minds behind this film.

From the aliens trying to cross the border in the opening scene to the grotesque creature

within Edgar, the aliens are each unique with quirks of their own. Men in Black is full of

surprises, it’s a taught, entertaining comedy- adventure with the right amounts of emotion

sprinkled throughout.

Powered by strong performances from Will Smith, Tommy Lee Jones

and Vincent D’Onofrio Men in Black is the ideal summer alien adventure and a pleasant

departure from the scares the genre is normally associated with.