This is without question the best "action-SciFi-comedy" movie out there. Heck it's probably the only one (with the exception of MIB II). But it is a good movie and one I can watch any time. A must have movie for your library.


You have this secret organization, based on the east coast, that monitors all alien activity on Earth. The agents that protect us are called the Men in Black. That's because of their black suits. They are an organization that reports to no one and funds themselves through confiscation of certain technologies such as Velcro. They also protect the ignorant public by erasing their memory so no one knows that aliens do exist and live among us.


This movie stars two big stars of Hollywood, Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones. Will Smith does the best job of the two in this movie. He is what makes it work. He make us believe that he really is a bad *** NY cop with a young and energetic spirit. But what he lacks is experience. I'm not talking about the experience in the skies above, I'm just talking about the experience one gets from just living life. Some would call it wisdom, other's street smarts, or maybe something else. But you really feel for him and his situation he has found himself in. You also feel for him when the fur...um... scales, begin to fly.


Tommy Lee Jones was perfect for this role. His straight talking, serious attitude played perfectly again Will Smith's character. He is the straight-man in this Sci-Fi comedy. Tommy Lee Jones is a good actor but he just keeps getting type cast. Well in this movie he is type cast again and you will see nothing new in this performance. Bad in the originality department but good for the movie. His stereotyped personality really is a perfect fit in this film. Now I'm not knocking his performance, he isn't a one-dimensional character. He does act well and has a good range of emotions. You end up feeling badly for his character as well as developing a lot of respect for him at the end of the movie. But don't expect anything new in his performance.


The audience follows Will Smith as he progresses and learns about what MIB really is. He also isn't taken by the hand and babied. Rather he gets right in the thick of it. This sudden induction is what brings out some of the comedy in this film. He is asked fairly quickly in his new role as a MIB to help a pregnant mother. This scene is funny but it also sets J and the audience up for just how bizarre and difficult it is going to get for him.


Will Smith's character does develop throughout the film. He doesn't stay the same clueless young cop. Rather he grows and realizes that it is confidence and adaptability that separates him from the rest. I hesitant to say he grows up, which he really doesn't. Rather he develops that adult like confidence, the peace that an adult has about the situations that are going all around him, and the calmness one must have in order to lead others in adverse situations. By the end of the movie he has learned these things to a certain degree and is ready for the next steps he will take in his new job. Btw, this is on the job training, thankfully there are no long boring classroom scenes.


Tommy Lee Jones plays K. A little boy caught up in the first alien landing. He is one of the lead MIB and has a confidence that exceeds understanding. Borders on lunacy and definitely goes against common sense that the average individual has. But that is his character and he exudes it very well. Part of his job is to train J (Will Smith) to be a fully prepared MIB agent.


The writing is well done for the most part. It tells you the details necessary. There are no awkward scenes. Ideas are clearly communicated.


The pacing is great. This is a movie the keeps itself going from beginning to end. The only real slow part is for atmosphere which I think is necessary for the sacrifice J has to commit to. Other than that it is a beautiful blend of action and lighthearted moments throughout the film.


I would recommend this for older children. There isn't anything graphic or really offensive in my view. But younger children will get nightmares from it.


Replay value is quite good in my opinion. It is one of those movies I'll watch any time.


The music is done by Danny Elfman. Now he isn't a bad composer but I'm not all that wild about his work. He's had some highs here and there (Edward Scissorhands comes to mind) but he has had a lot that just sound like it came from the same movie. This is the case with this movie. I just don't find the music very original or captivating.


The key players
Director: Barry Sonnenfeld
Screenplay: Ed Solomon & James Bonney
Music: Danny Elfman


Ratings
Yahoo users: B
Yahoo critics: B
Metacritics users: 6.6
Metacritics critics: 71
Rotten Tomato community:89%
Rotten Tomato critics: 91%
My score: 4.71


MPAA rating: PG-13


Year Released: 1997


Running time: 98 minutes


My End Line.
This movie is a beautiful blend of action and comedy. It isn't gut busting laughter nor is it a cult classic. Its humor isn't that style. But its a good blend of the two genre's. It will keep you entertained.


Other movie reviews
My favorite Sci-Fi movies
My favorite Comedies
Groundhog Day

Recommended: Yes