The MIB is a top secret unofficial government agency that regulates and watches the thousands of aliens on Earth. Basically they protect Earth from the scum of the universe. MIB agents have no identity and do not officially exist. James Darrel Edwards or "J" (Will Smith) is recruited from the NYPD and is guided by senior MIB agent "K" (Tommy Lee Jones). They wear dark suits and sunglasses to protect themselves from neuralizers, devices that erase memories.
Chief Zed (Rip Torn) says: "You'll dress only in attire specially sanctioned by MIB special services. You'll conform to the identity we give you, eat where we tell you, live where we tell you. From now on you'll have no identifying marks of any kind. You'll not stand out in any way. Your entire image is crafted to leave no lasting memory with anyone you encounter. You're a rumor, recognizable only as deja vu and dismissed just as quickly. You don't exist; you were never even born. Anonymity is your name. Silence your native tongue. You're no longer part of the System. You're above the System. Over it. Beyond it. We're 'them'. We're 'they'. We are the Men in Black."
A Bug species steals a tiny galaxy hidden in an ornament on the neck of Orion, a cat from planet Arquil. The intergalactic terrorist and thief is Edgar (Vincent D'Onofrio). The government of Arquil is willing to have Earth destroyed rather than let the Bugs capture their galaxy. J and K meet Dr. Laurel Weaver (Linda Fiorentino) who becomes agent "L". K's memory is erased, he retires, and J and L become partners.
Kay: "So what do you think?"
Jay: "Whew! Very interesting. She got a whole 'queen of the undead' thing going on."
Kay: "What about the body?"
Jay: "Great body."
Kay: "The dead body."
(after delivering a squid-like alien baby)
Jay: "You know it's actually kinda..."
(baby throws up on him)
Jay: "cute."
Kay: "Set for pulsar level five, subsonic implosion factor two."
Jay: "What?"
Kay: "Just shoot the damn thing on the count of three."
Jay: "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."
MEN IN BLACK is a sci-fi comedy, one of the most entertaining films of the 1990's. It is witty, charming, very funny, and fast paced. It never lets up. Edgar the Bug is gross, Agent L is very cool, and the actors' deadpan performances are great. This hip stylish film is a wild ride with a good mysterious plot, sight gags, and a few gruesome death scenes. It is also dark, satirical, weird, quirky, playful, silly, compelling, and memorable. Special effects by Rick Baker and Industrial Light and Magic are amazing. The movie was a popular smash hit, grossing over $590,000,000.
Also in the cast are: Tony Shalhoub (Jack Jeebs), Siobhan Fallon (Beatrice), Mike Nussbaum (Rosenburg), Jon Gries (Nick), Sergio Calderon (Jose), Carel Struycken (Arquillian), Fredreic Lehne (Janus), Richard Hamilton (D), Kent Faulcon (Jake Jensen), John Alexander (Mikey), Keith Campbell (Perp), Ken Thorley (exterminator), Patrick Breen (Reggie Redgick), Becky Ann Baker (Mrs. Redgick), Sean Whalen (Passport officer), Harsh Nayyar (Manny) Michael Willis (cop), David Cross (Newton), Charles C. Stevenson Jr. (B), Frank the pug, and many others. Tim Blaney is the voice of Frank the pug. The script is by Ed Solomon, adapted from Lowell Cunningham's Malibu/Marvel comic. Danny Elfman composed the atmospheric music. Barry Sonnenfeld directed.
MEN IN BLACK II (2002) is a somewhat inferior sequel. Agent K (Tommy Lee Jones) has retired, and J (Will Smith) discovers a plot by Serleena (Lara Flynn Boyle), an evil Kylothian monster. J must convince K to save the galaxy. Frank the pug is back with a bigger role. J has a relationship with Laura (Rosario Dawson), who turns out to be the semi-divine "Light of Zartha". Serleena is killed just as Laura is transported back to Zartha. In the end Agent K kicks open a door to reveal aliens living in a world similar to ours. The film grossed $442,000,000 at the box office.
