Men In Black

Men in Black is a science fiction all action film. Directed by Barry Sonnenfild and starring Tommy Lee Jones and Will Smith as the leads, the film is based on the Men in Black comic book series by Lowell Cunningham. The story follows two members of a secret organisation who are trying to avert global destruction.

The film was a huge hit with audiences and critics alike. It won an academy award for Best Makeup plus a string of other nominations. The success of the film is no doubt due in part to the brilliant performances of Jones and Smith. An odd combination one might think at first but Jones’ deadpan face and dry humour is perfectly counterpointed by Smith’s slapstick and over emotional reaction to everything.

Plus the aliens are skilfully disguised as humans and the main bad guy (or bug) worked exceptionally hard to convince us of his human nature. Men in Black are defined in popular culture as men who claim to be government agents and who threaten or harass UFO witnesses to keep them quiet about what they have seen.

The plot follows an outer space alien insect that comes to earth in search of an inexhaustible power source, a miniature galaxy. The owners of the galaxy threaten to destroy the Erath rather let the bug get hold of it. Agents K and J have to kill the bug, retrieve the galaxy, save the Earth and, of course, get the girl.

Cinema release 1997

Certificate PG

Available on DVD and Blue Ray