Men in Black

1997
12
1h 38m

IMDb RATING

7.3/10

636K

YOUR RATING

POPULARITY

371

Tommy Lee Jones and Will Smith in Men in Black (1997)

A police officer joins a secret organization that polices and monitors extraterrestrial interactions on Earth.

Play trailer2:25

8 Videos

99+ Photos

Alien Invasion Buddy Comedy Buddy Cop High-Concept Comedy Urban Adventure Action Adventure Comedy Sci-Fi

James, an NYC cop, is hired by Agent K of a secret government agency that monitors extraterrestrial life on Earth. Together, they must recover an item that has been stolen by an intergalacti... Read allJames, an NYC cop, is hired by Agent K of a secret government agency that monitors extraterrestrial life on Earth. Together, they must recover an item that has been stolen by an intergalactic villain.James, an NYC cop, is hired by Agent K of a secret government agency that monitors extraterrestrial life on Earth. Together, they must recover an item that has been stolen by an intergalactic villain.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

7.3/10

636K

YOUR RATING

POPULARITY

371

See production info at IMDbPro

Won 1 Oscar
- 22 wins & 39 nominations total

Videos8

Trailer 2:29

Theatrical Version

Clip 3:44

The Rise of Will Smith

Clip 2:27

Which Roles Did Will Smith Turn Down?

Clip 3:14

What We Know About The 'Untitled Men in Black Spin-Off' ... So Far

Featurette 2:08

Mib Metamorphosis

Photos451

+ 445

‘Snow White’ Stars Test Their Wits

Rachel Zegler, Gal Gadot, and director Marc Webb take our Ultimate Disney Quiz.

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9:57

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Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
Tommy Lee Jones only accepted the role of Kay after Steven Spielberg promised the script would improve. He had been disappointed with the first draft, which he felt did not capture the tone of the comic.

Goofs
When riding in the tunnel, Jay puts on an 8-track and listens to Elvis. Jay quips, "You do know Elvis is dead?" to which Kay replies, "No he isn't, he just went home," implying he is an alien. Earlier Kay reveals the aliens first made contact in 1961 - five years after Elvis Presley made his breakthrough performance on Toast of the Town (1948). However, 1961 is only when they made contact, not necessarily when they first landed.

Quotes
Edwards: Why the big secret? People are smart. They can handle it.
Kay: A person is smart. People are dumb, panicky dangerous animals and you know it. Fifteen hundred years ago everybody knew the Earth was the center of the universe. Five hundred years ago, everybody knew the Earth was flat, and fifteen minutes ago, you knew that humans were alone on this planet. Imagine what you'll know tomorrow.
Edwards: What's the catch?
Kay: The catch? The catch is you will sever every human contact. Nobody will ever know you exist anywhere. Ever. I'll give you to sunrise to think it over.
[starts walking away]
Edwards: [shouting after Kay] Hey! Is it worth it?
Kay: Oh yeah, it's worth it...
[starts walking again, stops and turns back briefly]
Kay: ... if you're strong enough!

Crazy credits
The animals and aliens used in this film were in no way mistreated and all scenes in which they appeared were under strict supervision with the utmost concern for their handling.

Alternate versions
The version shown on Australian cable television is the uncut version with a PG rating

Connections
Edited into Men in Black: Extended and Alternate Scenes (2000)

Soundtracks
Men In Black
Produced by Track Masters
Co-produced by Will Smith
Written by Will Smith, Patrice Rushen, Freddie Washington and Terri McFadden
Performed by Will Smith featuring Cheryl Gamble (as Coko)
Courtesy of Columbia Records

User reviews428

Featured review

8/10

Smart, funny spoof that is impossible not to like!

"Men in Black" and "Galaxy Quest" are in my mind the best sci-fi comedies ever made, because they are both hilarious parodies of two different cultures. Whereas the latter spoofed obsessed fans who take sci-fi entertainment WAY too seriously, this one spoofs the paranoid, tin-foil-hat brand of conspiracy theorists. It has funny characters, witty lines, and does not at all take itself seriously.

There are a lot of small details that can take multiple viewings to catch. One thing I found funnier the second time I watched it is the scene where Will Smith has just been severely lectured by his boss in the interrogation room when Tommy Lee Jones enters, asks a few questions, and tells Smith to come with him. Smith: "I can't, there's still a lot of paperwork to fill out." Jones: "No, the paperwork is all taken care of." Smith's boss (walking by): "Hey, nice work, Edwards!" This is one of many quick, funny scenes that you only really get if you're paying attention.

All the actors do a good job, too. I thought Rip Torn was the funniest character, and Edgar the bug was hilariously gross. Linda Fiorentino was one of the coolest female characters ever. She put Ripley to shame. Every time I watch this, I want to marry her.

Overall, it's a great comedy that is clever and fun all the way through. 8/10 stars.