Men In Black (1997)
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A secret government agency monitors extraterrestrials living in secret on Earth.
The story
In 1997, MIB agents K and J investigate a series of seemingly unrelated criminal incidents related to the extraterrestrials who live in secret on Earth. The MIB organization, founded in the mid-1950s, maintains the secrecy of these alien refugees using 'neuralyzer' devices to erase human memories. The plot intensifies when a hostile alien known as a 'Bug' crash-lands in upstate New York, causing chaos and leading the agents to track down the threat. They must navigate a dangerous landscape of hidden extraterrestrial activity to protect the planet and ensure the secret of the alien presence remains safe from the human population.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
The MIB organization, established in the 1950s, maintains Earth as a neutral zone for extraterrestrials. In 1997, Agent K and Agent J (a recently recruited former NYPD officer) hunt a 'Bug' that has landed in New York and is seeking a powerful energy source known as 'the galaxy.' The search leads them to a morgue where they encounter a dying alien prince, and eventually to a confrontation at the New York State Pavilion. After a violent battle where K is briefly consumed by the Bug, the agents successfully secure the galaxy. Following the resolution, K prepares to retire, and J takes over his duties, eventually partnering with Laurel, who joins the MIB as Agent L. The film concludes with a reveal that the universe is contained in a marble owned by an unknown alien.
- First release year
- 1997
- Runtime (minutes)
- 98
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Barry Sonnenfeld
- Writers
- Ed Solomon · writer; Ted Elliott · uncredited; Terry Rossio · uncredited
- Cast and characters
- Tommy Lee Jones · Agent K; Will Smith · Agent J; Linda Fiorentino · Doctor Laurel Weaver / Agent L; Vincent D'Onofrio · Edgar / The Bug; Rip Torn · Chief Zed
- Genres
- science fiction; action
- Themes
- secrecy; identity
- Tone and mood
- humorous; action-packed
- Premise and plot tags
- alien invasion; secret organization; buddy cop
- Source material / true-story basis
- The Men in Black by Lowell Cunningham
- Franchise connections
- Men in Black
- Reception
- The film received critical acclaim for its screenplay, humor and action sequences, as well as Jones's and Smith's performances and chemistry. It was a box-office success, grossing more than $589.4 million worldwide.
- Reported review scores
- Rotten Tomatoes · score: 91% · scale: percentage · review count: 92; Metacritic · score: 71 · scale: 100 · review count: 22
- Awards and nominations
- Best Makeup · Academy Awards · 70th · won; Best Art Direction · Academy Awards · 70th · nominated; Best Original Score · Academy Awards · 70th · nominated; Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy · Golden Globe Awards · 55th · nominated
- Production trivia
- The film's visual effects were created by Industrial Light & Magic.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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