Men in Black . Tucson Weekly . 08-04-97

Men in Black

DIRECTED BY: Barry Sonnenfeld

REVIEWED: 08-04-97

Watching this movie is like having a bizarre, detailed series of dreams just prior to dawn. You wake up amused at the scope and silliness of your imagination--then later you realize you can barely remember any of it. That's a good thing because Men in Black doesn't have much in the way of substance, such as characterization or story. Directed by Barry Sonnenfeld (of the Addams Family pictures), the film is designed to dazzle you quickly and let you get back to your life (unlike The Fifth Element). Its special effects stay on the screen only long enough to impress, the performances are punchy, and key events are delivered in quick, jab-like brush strokes. Playing a super-competent but hopelessly opaque agent, Tommy Lee Jones works hard and fast, while buddy/partner Will Smith supplies his stock charisma (thankfully with much less cheesiness than in Independence Day) as the confused, personable newcomer. Their efforts to track down a mean, war-mongering alien in New York aren't nearly as fun as the movie's overall vision of a reality where extraterrestrials come and go freely, under our noses, while jaded government agents keep them in check, and universe-sized creatures play marbles with the cosmos. It's a slick, light-spirited summer product, the kind so confident it glibly announces its intentions for a sequel at the end.

--Woodruff

Full Length Reviews
Men in Black
Men in Black
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Capsule Reviews
Men in Black
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Other Films by Barry Sonnenfeld
Get Shorty
Wild Wild West

Film Vault Suggested Links
Tremors
The Truman Show
Orgazmo

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