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Tommy Lee Jones, Will Smith, Linda Fiorentino, Vincent D'Onofrio, Rip Torn ... see more see more... , Tony Shalhoub , Becky Ann Baker , Patrick Breen , Sergio Calderón , Keith Campbell , Willie C. Carpenter , Debbie Lee Carrington , David Cross , Michael Goldfinger , Richard Hamilton , Carl Johnson , Boris Leskin , Peter Linari , Harsh Nayyar , Mike Nussbaum , Ken Thorley , Sean Whalen , Carel Struycken , Tim Blaney , Andy Prosky , Michael Willis , Siobhan Fallon , Charles C. Stevenson Jr. , Jon Gries , John Alexander , Verne Troyer , Steve Rankin , Mark Setrakian , Brad Abrell , Thom Fountain , Alpheus Merchant , Kent Faulcon , Richard Arthur , Bernard Gilkey , Norma Jean Groh , Michael Kaliski , Fredric Lane , Drew Massey , Sean Plummer , Mykal Wayne Williams

For his fifth effort as a feature-film director, one-time cinematographer Barry Sonnenfeld brought his cartoonish visual style and darkly humorous sensibilities to this adaptation of, appropriately en... read more read more...ough, a tongue-in-cheek sci-fi comic book. Will Smith stars as James Darrel Edwards, a New York City cop with an athletic physique and a flippant, anti-authoritarian attitude toward law enforcement. After chasing down a mysterious perpetrator one night who turns out to be an alien, James is recruited by "K" (Tommy Lee Jones), a veteran of a clandestine government agency secretly policing the comings and goings of aliens on planet Earth. Nicknamed the "men in black" for their nondescript uniform of black suit, shoes, tie, and sunglasses, the agents are assigned to recover a bauble that's been stolen by an intergalactic terrorist (Vincent D'Onofrio). It seems the item is none other than the galaxy itself, and its theft has plunged humanity into the center of what's shaping up to become an interstellar war, unless K and his new wisecracking partner, now renamed "J," can stop the bad guy. On their side but somewhat in the dark is a pretty, unflappable city medical examiner (Linda Fiorentino) who has been zapped one too many times by K's ingenious memory-sapping device. Men in Black was a box office smash, inspiring an animated children's television series and a hit soundtrack album that featured a performance by star (and rapper) Smith. ~ Karl Williams, Rovi

Flixster Users

73% liked it

957,686 ratings

Critics

90% liked it

71 critics

PG-13, 1 hr. 38 min.

Directed by: Barry Sonnenfeld

Release Date: July 2, 1997

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DVD Release Date: October 23, 1997

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Stats: 37,231 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (37,231)

  • fb733768972
    May 29, 2012
    fb733768972
    "Men in Black" is one of the most impressive sci-fi films of the 90's! Probably thee most when you are thinking of comedy. It may not have the back-up of spectacular visual effects, but they do cherish what they can with whatever they do have. The chemistry between Tommy Lee Jone... read mores and Will Smith is phenomenal and it makes me wish more films could have that upper hand. "Men in Black" is everything you could want in a movie, with a few extra moments of awesomeness. All-in-all, this film delivers thrills, laughs, visuals, and a story that solely works with these actors alone. This film definitely needs everyones attentions!
  • fb100002384654145
    May 26, 2012
    fb100002384654145
    A cool movie that benefits greatly from the charismatic duo of Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones.
  • fb100001592288964
    May 23, 2012
    fb100001592288964
    Very entertaining from start-to-finish. Tommy Lee Jones and Will Smith are both terrific together, both displaying spot-on comedic chops, too. And for its time, the effects are actually pretty good, too. A definitive summer blockbuster that still stands its time today.
  • aquateen2
    May 23, 2012
    aquateen2
    [img]http://images.rottentomatoes.com/images/user/icons/icon14.gif[/img]

    Men in Black, a film that's very original, tries to be cool and quirky, and suceeds. It's what I would easily call the better version of Independence Day. Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones are highly likabl... read moree in their lead roles, and as a screen couple perform with complete chemistry and energetic slickness. The jokes are thrown in at almost every minute into a plot that's original and exciting. It all adds up to one great flick that naturally sets itself up for a franchise that's definetely worth making.
  • fb100000145236770
    May 13, 2012
    fb100000145236770
    "Men in Black" is a modern sci-fi comedy classic. While the movie isn't perfect, the chemistry between Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones is. "Black" is about a secret organization that deals with aliens here on earth. When one of their main agents retires, Jones then recruits Smi... read moreth to join the force, and they have to stop an evil alien from destroying the universe. Jones is the perfect straight man for Smith. Their banter is what makes this movie good and memorable. The effects are good, and still hold up, but really it's the pairs ability to turn this from parody, to comedy. If you have never seen this, then your probably an alien.If you have, then now is a good time to reconnect with the third movie about to come out.
  • spielberg00
    October 3, 2011
    spielberg00
    Every viewing of MEN IN BLACK brings more laughs, much more enjoyment. It's just simply Will Smith's best film so far.

    Though that, it is certainly the weirdest of all '90s movies. Especially the last scene.
  • fb729949618
    September 30, 2011
    fb729949618
    Very clever film that can entertain anyone from a little kid to a grown adult. Will Smith is always good.
  • TheDudeLebowski65
    August 24, 2011
    TheDudeLebowski65
    Men in Black is an interesting idea for a film. A secret government organization protects the world from Aliens, which I think is a really good premise for a film. The cast here are terrific and each brings a memorable addition to the screen. Mein in Black is not a perfect film,... read more but for the most part it works well as a sci fi action comedy. The reason the film works well is because of its good cast, and clever plot. The film will appeal to fans of sci Fi and it's quite different than most films in the Sci Fi canon. Men in Black is a well crafted tongue in cheek film that is very memorable. The special effects are terrific and amusing, and there are many humorous moments in the film. One in particular was Will Smith being recruited for possible MIB selection. The film has its flaws, but most of the time it succeeds in delivering a fun viewing experience and unlike, its sequel, Men in Black is a one of a kind Sci Fi film. The sequel missed the mark, and was poorly made with a bad script, and was a slap in the face to this fun, original Sci Fi action comedy. For what it is, Men in Black is a well made film with plenty of original ideas going on, on screen. The film boasts a good cast with a good story, and this is a memorable film that is just as humorous as it is action packed. It's too bad that they failed with sequel, but at least they made a good film with this first one. A film not to miss.
  • ajv2688
    August 11, 2011
    ajv2688
    The super popular action sci-fi comedy of 97. Sure it was fun for a while, but this movie wasn't all that great really. It's humor is stupid, and there are so many other sci-fi comedies that are better. Overall it's an okay movie, though.
  • fb535316333
    July 21, 2011
    fb535316333
    Awesome. Just awesome. Action, comedy, scifi that really defines itself with a great cast, script, humor, originality, and art direction. AGH! You just can't complain with entertainment value of this caliber.

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Critic Reviews

Owen Gleiberman
July 6, 2010
Owen Gleiberman, Entertainment Weekly

Every time the film makes you chuckle, you may also feel it's zapped you with a neuralizer. Full Review

Todd McCarthy
July 7, 2008
Todd McCarthy, Variety

A wild knuckleball of a movie that keeps dancing in and out of the strike zone. Full Review

David Edelstein
June 5, 2007
David Edelstein, Slate

The smartest, funniest, and best-looking sci-fi comedy since the movies learned to morph. Full Review

Desson Thomson
April 17, 2007
Desson Thomson, Washington Post

It's just the best yuk of the week. Full Review

Jeff Strickler
November 6, 2002
Jeff Strickler, Minneapolis Star Tribune

As ragged as the humor is, there still are more hits than misses. Full Review

Mick LaSalle
June 18, 2002
Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle

At times, it may succeed at manipulating you, but you won't like it. Full Review

Rick Groen
April 12, 2002
Rick Groen, Globe and Mail

The result is a rich picture with a winning personality, as modest in theme as it is in style. Full Review

Peter Travers
May 11, 2001
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

To quote the film's wisest alien, who just happens to be occupying the body of an ugly-ass pug dog, 'You don't like it, you can kiss my furry little butt.'

Kenneth Turan
February 14, 2001
Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times

Though its charm is in its attitude and premise (and Danny Elfman's rousing score), Men in Black does have a serviceable plot that kicks in when a rusty flying saucer crash-lands in a rural area. Full Review

Joe Baltake
January 1, 2000
Joe Baltake, Sacramento Bee

Like the Fiorentino character, you may not remember much. But you'll remember having fun. Full Review

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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Facts

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    • J: You do know elvis is dead? Right?
    • K: No, Elvis is not dead. He just went home.
    • D: Do you know how many treaties you just violated?
    • Mikey: One?
    • K: One!
    • D: Try seven.
    • Mikey: Seven!
    • K: Fifteen hundred years ago, everybody knew that the Earth was the center of the universe. Five hundred years ago, everybody knew that the Earth was flat. And fifteen minutes ago, you knew that humans were alone on this planet. Imagine what you'll know tomorrow.
    • Edgar: Hey! This is my truck!
    • Tow Truck Driver: Yeah. And make sure you tell them that down at the impound.
    • Edgar: Agh! [reaches for his double barrel shotgun and cocks it]
    • Tow Truck Driver: [whips out his revolver from his shirt] Please........
    • J: [talking to the recently neutralized Beatrice] Why don't you go shopping, get some new clothes, pretty yourself up a bit.... Oh! And, get a decorator in her quick, cause... D*MN.
    • K: You sold a reverberating carbonizer with mutate capacities to an unlicensed, unauthorized cephalopoid? Jeebs, you piece of s***!
    • Jeebs: He looked alright to me.
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Men in Black Trivia

  • In which of these films is the Statue of Liberty left completely undamaged?  Answer »
  • In what movie did an alien inhabit the body of a farmer?  Answer »
  • in which movie (not the sequel) do the 2 lead characters dress in black and kill aliens?  Answer »
  • What name do these all share? The name of the dog on Men In Black. Tom Cruise's name in Magnolia. The name of the bunny in Donnie Darko.  Answer »
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