MEN IN BLACK (1997)

MEN IN BLACK (1997)

Tagline: Men in Black - Protecting the Earth from the scum of the Universe.

(Action, Adventure, Comedy) [PG-13] 

This movie is based on a comic book originally by Aircel Comics out of Ottawa, Canada. Aircel was bought up by Malibu Comics and eventually, MARVEL bought Malibu Comics. So by the time this movie rolls around, we are dealing with mostly a MARVEL property. How about them apples. The comic however was much darker and comically bland. 

In this one there is a secret group of people that hide away from the world via “mind-erasers” and super-secret bases. They are called MIB and they are very interested in James Edwards (Will Smith) because this dude caught (or almost caught) an alien with zero special weapons or equipment. Agent “K” (played by Tommy Lee Jones) witnessed James’s heroics. James works for the N.Y.P.D. but seems to be more than happy to trade up regarding jobs. It doesn’t take long before a giant freakin cockroach from space lands in the form of a farmer named Edgar (played by Vincent D’Onofrio, one of the great actors of our day). The cockroach is after a small object that will bring his race extreme power. James (who becomes Agent “J” and “K” must stop the alien beast from obtaining this power.

What this movie is loaded with is cool undercover alien stuff and interesting weapons. The effects for 1997 are pretty top-notch and it brings you into this world quite successfully. When Steven Speilberg is involved as a producer, that is to be expected. I will say that Tommy Lee Jones always plays a perfect straight-up no-nonsense character, so there was almost nothing shocking about the role he played. Will Smith does a decent job as James, but his character isn’t anything we hadn’t seen Will do before regarding range (see INDEPENDENCE DAY). I do like Barry Sonnenfeld as a director (he worked on RV, WILD WILD WEST, and ADDAMS FAMILY VALUES) and he does a good job with a lot of the camera angles, etc. in this thing. Linda Fiorentino (maybe best known for VISION QUEST) plays Laurel in this one, a woman who works at the morgue that gets caught up in this whole adventure. Oddly she was never brought back as a character in the series.

Just an odd tidbit, or at least I think it’s odd. First off, if you don’t like cockroaches, maybe avoid this thing and the original CREEPSHOW. Secondly, The American Humane Society made sure no animals were hurt during filming. That’s normal, but this time they also included the cockroaches. What the…? Didn’t know there were “any” cockroach fans out there. 

So as a rule, I am just comparing this movie to itself, not the comic. For me it was enjoyable, but given the “roach” factor, it’s not something I would consider a go-to movie when I am looking for something sci-fi. Having said that, MEN IN BLACK is a solid 4 out of 7. By today’s standards, it doesn’t blow my mind, but it certainly has a lot of fun popcorn flying through the air, reclined chair, home theater-style appeal. 

GRAPHICS ARE THE PROPERTY OF COLUMBIA PICTURES AND ARE USED FOR REVIEW PURPOSES ONLY.  

Please check out the link below by clicking on the picture. Because no one should die buttonless. Until next time.