Today’s quick review: Men in Black. Agent K (Tommy Lee Jones) recruits James Edwards (Will Smith), a New York cop, to join the Men in Black, a secret government agency whose purpose is to protect the Earth from alien threats and police the aliens who live in secret among humanity. For the newly-christened Agent J’s first major assignment, he must deal with Edgar (Vincent D’Onofrio), a cockroach-esque alien whose actions threaten the destruction of Earth.
Men in Black is a sci-fi comedy set in a New York that is secretly teeming with alien life. James Edwards leaves his normal life to become Agent J, one of the agents responsible for making sure humanity doesn’t have to worry about the existence of extraterrestrials. Featuring off-the-wall alien designs, a story that showcases them, and even a bit of action, Men in Black makes for reasonably entertaining watch.
Men in Black has an inventive premise, two strong leads, and a good script. Tommy Lee Jones and Will Smith make for an effective comedy duo, with Jones as the stoic veteran and Smith as the sarcastic rookie. The wide variety of aliens are given plenty of screen time, making the setting feel lively and somewhat wacky. The streamlined plot does not overstay its welcome, wrapping up neatly around the 90-minute mark.
None of these qualities make Men in Black an outstanding movie, but they do make it an enjoyable one. The humor can be a little thin in places, relying more on the quality of its tone than the quality of its writing. The story feels like a whirlwind tour of the universe, for better or worse. The bizarre aliens may not be a draw for everyone, and the general strangeness of the premise makes the movie unsuitable for a viewer looking for an ordinary comedy.
Put it all together, and you get a fun popcorn flick with a memorable premise, two great picks for leads, and a straightforward plot. Watch it when you’re in the mood for something light and sci-fi flavored. Skip it if you’re looking for a great comedy rather than a good one, or if you aren’t big on cartoonish bugs or goo.
7.3 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.0 to 7.5 for an interesting premise and a healthy sense of fun.