Men In Black- UK Relaease.
Review by C.J HILL.
Just who are the Men In Black? Well, I'll tell you.
They're an unofficial yet highly funded government agency. That's who.
Their job, to monitor extra-terrestial activity.
Now, this film pulls no punches here. It starts of letting you know that aliens have been co-existing with us humans for over 40 years.
The Men In Black make sure those that live here on Earth, stay in their designated areas (disguised as humans of course), and they also monitor all visitations and departures. Should anything alien related be witnessed by a human, the Men In Black turn up in their dark suits, sunglasses and armed with a pen with a red light on it, erase the poor witness's memory of the event.
Yep, it's all very tongue in cheek and in places, and it's atmosphere is very similar indeed to the Tim Burton masterpiece Mars Attacks.
This is, no doubt, due to the fact that director Barry Sonnenfeld was also responsible for the dark comedies The Addams Family and Addams Family Values.
The plot to Men In Black, doesn't require too much attention, so this should keep the attention of any young ones in the audience.
It mainly revolves around the discovery of an alien race trying to provoke all out war for it's own benefit. Nothing more to it than that, really.
What really draws the viewer into this dark comedy is it's superb visual effects provided those masters Industrial Light and Magic, whose outstanding work can also be drooled over in the special editions of the Star Wars Trilogy and The Lost World.
Yes, they really are great, including a cute little alien hiding and controlling a human from the inside with little levers!
Men In Black moves along at a very quick pace indeed.
The script is very lively and funny and this is enhanced by the excellent chemistry between Tommy Lee Jones (Agent K) and the ever chucklesome Will Smith (Agent J).
To sum up, Men In Black is a lively, amusing and visually stunning film. My only gripe is that it's over far too quickly.
Executive Producer Steven Spielberg has, no doubt, some credit owed to him for the family quality wrapped around this very pleasant diversion and perhaps I may get to forgive him for the very poor Lost World... Perhaps.
The overall feel that comes across whilst watching Men In Black, is that you can't help but feel that Men In Black's purpose is a pleasant and very enjoyable, short term filler, a bit like my popcorn really.
8/10 - very fun but brief.
Take it easy, but Take it!
C.J Hill
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