Plot: What’s it about?
About one year, to the day, after Will Smith and company had taken care of business in “Independence Day”, he teamed up with Tommy Lee Jones in Men in Black. Barry Sonnenfeld, the Director, has had some sort of a Tim Burton knack for producing and directing somewhat “from the hip” dark comedies. Men in Black is just that. Along the same lines as Beetlejuice and The Addams Family, Men in Black is just dark enough, yet very commercial in the same aspect. Sonnenfeld, more widely known (before this, of course) for his efforts of The Addams Family mainly replicates his work here…and it still works. The sly, impotent wit of Will Smith contrasts (in a good way) with the dry “by the book” demeanor of Tommy Lee Jones. You could plan for years and years and never put these two in a movie together, but this was sheer magic in the casting and it paid off…big time. Not known really to be an action movie, a science-fiction movie or a comedy, Men in Black fits any of these three categories very nicely. It’s not often that this is said anymore…but this movie has something for everyone; and if you’re a fan of any of the actors in the film or the Director…you’re in for a real treat as they all give top notch performances.
We first meet “K” (Tommy Lee Jones, oddly enough spelled “Kay” in the ending credits) and his old partner as they’re on a mission to find some illegal aliens. Now normally when we hear the phrase “illegal aliens” we think of Mexicans going across the border to the United States. That’s just what we see, but there’s a whole new meaning to the phrase after we see this scene. In what is meant to be an introduction to the Men in Black, we see them confront an alien (posing as an ‘alien’) and talk like they’re old friends. It’s Jones’ dry disdemeanor that I personally love and he can make the most boring scene, interesting in a minute. The movie then cuts to Will Smith’s character, James Edwards (later on known as “J” or “Jay” in the ending credits). Edwards is a good NYPD cop and has sucessfully run down a very hard to track alien, something which has impressed “K”. He is then confronted and screened at a group testing to see if he has the right stuff to become one of the elite…Men in Black.
Well, of course he does or else we wouldn’t have a movie…or at least a cool poster. It’s not long that Smith’s cocky attitude and clumsy way about him are addressed, but it’s called for in the character, that’s part of what makes it so fun to watch. While getting used to the atomosphere of this new life, he has to accept that he will not be remembered in his “human” life. He will only be viewed as a sort of “Deja Vu” and is forgotten only moments after he is seen. All traces of his former life are removed and it’s now that he’s off to kick some alien ass! Aside from the star power of Smith and Jones, the plot revolves around a giant “bug” that has taken the human form of Vincent D’Onofrio. D’Onofrio is one my favorite actors and is only really recognizable in his first scene, later on the makeup leaves him more concealed as the evil bug, but it’s still fun to see him have a good time in the role. The bug (D’Onofrio) is on the lookout for a galaxy that belonged to Gentle Rosenberg. Rosenberg is yet another alien who has settled down on Earth, with his favorite cat, and runs a modest jewlery store. We learn that there are some 1500 aliens at any given time on the Earth and that most are harmless, though some are not. The reason for the Men in Black is to keep survillance over them and to basically keep things in check.
It’s not until we meet Laurel that all the pieces of the puzzle start to come together. Laurel (Linda Fiorentino) is a mortician who happens to get the bodies of Rosenberg and a friend of his (both dead…or so we think). The Men in Black investigate and learn that the galaxy in question is located on “Orion’s belt”. Not knowing what is really meant by that comment, J and K start putting the pieces toghether, but are stopped short by the bug (D’Onofrio) and everything goes to hell!
Probably what is most intriguing about Men in Black is the fact that the chemistry between Jones and Smith is about as interesting between Jones and Fiorentino. A little-known fact is that Fiorentino won her part in this movie over a poker game with the director, Barry Sonnenfeld…interesting. While the humor is very tongue and cheek, it seems to work with this cast and this type of movie. Like so many other movies that Stephen Spielberg has produced, it has his signature all over it. Men in Black is a very enjoyable comedy with some violence in places, but nothing that is totally “ultra-realistic”, unless you count blue blood spattered over cactuses, realistic. Men in Black, as mentioned above, is a very interesting film to watch if only for the great special effects. Give it a try, and with the treatment that Columbia/Tristar has given this film, it’s worth a purchase.
Video: How does it look?
I really didn’t know what to expect in this department. The DTS was the crowning jewel in what was the movie’s crown, but Columbia/Tristar has always been known for their commitment to excellence in this area. As expected, the image is second to none, being shown in it’s original 1.85:1 ratio which is anamorphically enhanced. The picture looks great, though I can’t help but complain about a few parts of it. I really wanted this picture to be as eye pleasing as Starship Troopers, but some scenes just looked a bit grainy. While it’s not a bad transfer by any means, I feel it could have been better. Maybe it’s like this on the DTS and not the other two verisons, but I doubt it. While no shimmering was present, a bit of digital artifacting was the main thing that I noticed. Most of the movie takes place inside or during the day, and those shots looked clear and clean and maintained the high standard of excellence that Columbia/Tristar has earned. On the whole, it was actually just a few scenes in question, but it was noticeable…hence the deduction.
Audio: How does it sound?
A newer movie that has a science fiction origin with a DTS logo has got to mean one thing…GOOD SOUND! The audio in this version (there is also a Dolby Digital version of this disc and a Limted Edition with Dolby Digital sound as well) is second to none. DTS has firmly established itself as a leader in the sound department, but has faltered when it came to extras. Recently it has been established that it’s possible to provide the same level of sound (in DTS) and fit the features that grace the Dolby Digital version. While the audio has some reference qualities, it still is left in the shadow of movies like “Saving Private Ryan” and “The Peacemaker”. Of course, this is quite the shadow and the audio is certainly no disappointment. The scene where J releases the ball in the Men in Black headquarters has every channel echoing the destructive effects of the “toy” as does the finale scene with the spaceship. The LFE is active in a LOT of scenes and most importantly in the tunnel scene (which has it’s own featurette section). Overall, the audio does not disappoint and one runs out of adjectives to describe the DTS soundtrack.
Supplements: What are the extras?
Some things in this life are literally worth the wait, and this is one of them. Originally thought to be one of the first DVD’s on the market, this found the back shelf for some reason…that reason was to bring it out as a Special Edition. Well, the time has arrived and there are not one, not two but three different verisons of this Summer blockbuster. Two versions of the film feature the exact same amount of supplements, but one has a Dolby Digital format and the other (the one reviewed here) a DTS format. Like the Ghostbusters DVD, this also features a “visual commentary” where you can see the movie and see silhouettes of the people making the commentary as well. The commentary itself is very interesting, and we learn all about the effects and how they really made the movie the hit it was. Featuring Tommy Lee Jones and Barry Sonnenfeld, the commentary would have been perfect with Will Smith, but we don’t always get what we want. Alongside that, there are also a few featues that use the multi-angle feature, those being the character animation and the famous tunnel scene.
Also included are the storyboards, which I have never found too appealing, and the conceptual art for the movie. Of course, there are the talent files, production notes and trailers and a feature I liked…the music video for the hit song “Men in Black” performed by Will Smith and Mikey (an alien). I would have been real disappointed if this feature were not included as, if I remember correctly, this was even on the VHS copy of the movie! Also included is a new documenary “Metamorphisis of Men in Black” which is interesting, though I would like to see more, and to round out the material, is some DVD-ROM content. All in all, you have a good movie, tons of extras and great picture and sound. Do you really need any excuse not to buy it?
