Men in Black (film)

Men in Black is a 1997 science fiction comedy action film directed by Barry Sonnenfeld, starring Tommy Lee Jones, Will Smith and Vincent D'Onofrio. The film was based on the comic book series The Men in Black by Lowell Cunningham, and featured the creature animation of Rick Baker. It was followed by a sequel, Men in Black II, in 2002. The movie was a hit, grossing over $250 million in the United States and over $326 million worldwide.

Plot

The MiB, a top-secret agency that polices, monitors and directs alien activity on Earth, has established the Earth as an apolitical "neutral zone". MiB agents have no identity of any kind or any public record of existence, and the MiB agency doesn't answer to any government (they "ask too many questions"). Any memory of MiB activity upon "mustering out" of the MiB is erased and a new identity is created for the departing agent. Into this strange world is ushered the initially-skeptical James Edwards (Will Smith), an NYPD officer, as he becomes Agent J, one of the newest MiB personnel. Tommy Lee Jones plays K, a senior MiB agent who guides J as he learns the ropes.

MiB agents wear sunglasses and dark suits, and appear at UFO landing sites, similar to the reported (but unproven) real-world Men In Black. Instead of intimidating or threatening witnesses, the MiB use devices known as Neuralizers to wipe their memories and suggest more mundane causes to the encounter (to the amazement of Agent J, such explanations are uniformly and horribly bland). Neuralizers are typically the size and shape of an oversized pen (although a giant version is seen in the second movie hidden in the Statue of Liberty's torch), and can be set to erase memories as far back as several decades. Neuralizers are also used on agents who leave the organization for any reason. The MiB's sunglasses protect them from the effects of the Neuralizer.

A Bug (an alien species, similar in many ways to a very large cockroach) is trying to steal a tiny galaxy from another alien—whose government is willing to have the earth destroyed rather than let this galaxy fall into the hands of the Bugs. Eventually, the Galaxy is recovered, and K asks J to erase his memory so that he can retire.

Cast

Tommy Lee Jones - Agent K
Will Smith - James Edwards / Agent J
Linda Fiorentino - Dr. Laurel Weaver / Agent L
Vincent D'Onofrio - Edgar / The Bug
Rip Torn - Chief Zed
Tony Shalhoub - Jack Jeebs
Siobhan Fallon - Beatrice
Mike Nussbaum - Gentle Rosenburg, Arquillian Jeweler
Jon Gries - Van driver
Sergio Calderón - Jose
Carel Struycken - Arquillian
Fredric Lehne - INS agent Janus
Richard Hamilton - Agent D
Kent Faulcon - 2nd Lt. Jake Jensen
John Alexander - Mikey
Keith Campbell - Perp
Ken Thorley - Zap-Em Exterminator
Patrick Breen - Reggie Redgick
Becky Ann Baker - Mrs. Redgick
Sean Whalen - Passport Officer
Harsh Nayyar - Manny
Michael Willis - Cop in Morgue
Willie C. Carpenter - Police Inspector
Peter Linari - Tow Truck Driver
David Cross - Newton the Morgue Attendant
Charles C. Stevenson Jr. - Agent B

Crew

Directed by: Barry Sonnenfeld
Produced by: Steven Spielberg, Laurie Macdonald and Walter F. Parkes
Written by: Ed Solomon, Lowell Cunningham (comic book)
Cinematography by: Donald Peterman
Composed by: Danny Elfman
Production design by: Bo Welch

Soundtrack

The theme song to the film was the pop/rap song of the same name. The song was released as a single where it topped the UK charts for 4 weeks. It was also released on Big Willie Style Will Smith's first solo studio album.

Track Listing

1. Men In Black - Will Smith
2. We Just Wanna Party With You - Snoop Doggy Dogg featuring JD
3. I'm Feelin' You - Ginuwine
4. Dah Dee Dah (Sexy Things) - Alicia Keys
5. Just Cruisin' - Will Smith
6. The 'Notic - The Roots featuring D'Angelo
7. Make You Happy - Trey Lorenz
8. Escobar '97 - Nas
9. Erotik City - Emoja
10. Same Ol' Thing - A Tribe Called Quest
11. Killing Time - Destiny's Child
12. Waiting For Love - 3T
13. Chanel No. Fever - De La Soul
14. Some Cow Fonque (More Tea Vicar?) - Buckshot LeFonque
15. M.I.B. Main Theme - Danny Elfman
16. M.I.B. Closing Theme - Danny Elfman

Video Games

The official Men In Black game is a third-person shooter developed by Gremlin Interactive and released to lacklustre reviews in October '97 for the PC and the following year for the PlayStation. The Series also inspired several games on various formats.

Theme Park Ride

The Men In Black movie was the inspiration behind the Men In Black: Alien Attack ride at Universal Studios Orlando. The passengers are given laser guns and ride through an alien infested New York City attempting to score as many points as they can by shooting the aliens. The ride is introduced by Rip Torn reprising his role from the movie as Zed and depending on the score of the riders, a different ending is shown. For example, a low scoring vehicle will see Will Smith saying 'better luck next time, slick' before the riders are 'neuralized'.