E.T, You're Under Arrest - TopTenMM Alien Movies
Updated: Nov 11, 2019
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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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.