By: The Dweeb

July 2002

DVD Features Video: 1.85:1 and 1.33:1 Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1, Dolby Digital 2.0, French Dolby Digital 2.0 Disc 1 Visual and Audio Commentaries Disc 2 MIB II Teaser Trailer Secret Files: Sneak Peak at MIB II Extended and Alternate Scenes Music Video by Will Smith and Mikey Storyboard Comparisons Theatrical Trailers Men In Black Documentary Animated Menus Production Notes Scene Editing Workshop Conceptual Art Gallery DVD-ROM and Web Link Theatrical release: 1997 DVD released on 9/5/2000 by Sony Running time of 98 minutes Starring: Tommy Lee Jones, Will Smith, Linda Fiorentino, Vincent D’Onofrio, Rip Torn, Tony Shalhoub Director: Barry Sonnenfeld Plot: Protecting the earth from the scum of the universe. Working for a highly funded yet unofficial government agency, K (Tommy Lee Jones) and J (Will Smith) are the Men In Black, providers of immigration services and regulators of all things alien on earth. They are our best, last, and only line of defense when close encounters get ugly. They work in secret and they dress in black. They are the best-kept secret in the universe.

Riding the wave of popular movies and television shows about aliens and conspiracy theories, Men In Black gave us the twisted alternative version to the X-files or Close Encounters. This was one of the best movies come out in 1997, and they did a great job transferring it onto DVD. Don’t pass up on getting this disc.

What makes this movie work so well is the unlikely comedic team up of Tommy Lee Jones and Will Smith. These two are absolutely hilarious the way they bounce off each other. Or more appropriately the way Will bounces off Tommy. Smith is his usual charming, smartass character, bumbling his way through his first day on the job, a 37 hour day no less. But his Agent J does it Willie Style, which is fun to watch. Just don’t ever let him in that alien weapon room again!

Tommy Lee Jone’s Agent K character is the typical serious, old agency veteran who doesn’t put up with any crap. He shows Agent J the ropes and doesn’t blink twice about any of the crazy stuff that goes on in their world. Underneath that Clint Eastwoodian gruffness, he still has a sense of humor and heart. Going through the tunnel in the rocket car, he calmly listens to his favorite 8 track while driving upside down, bobbing his head to the beat while Agent J flops around in the car. You know he had a good time working on this film.

The other star of this film is all the aliens in this movie. Employing great special effects, all kinds of life forms wander about this flick. I love the “worm guys”, they are the best. Some of the stuff they came up with is very creative, its not surprising to see so many people can be considered aliens! Its a definite New York thing that’s for sure.

The quality of this film on disc is excellent. The sound and video are both crisp and clear, and the colors look good. This version is not the DTS release, which I am sure sounds even better than this one.

The rest of this DVD is packed with all kinds of treats. I especially like the visual commentary option, I haven’t seen anyone else do something like this. Basically, take the regular commentary and do it like Mystery Science Theatre 3000 style. What a great idea to show the people who are talking on the bottom of the screen. They also have a great ‘making of’ section, where you can use the angle button to see each layer in the special effect, very nice. Somebody finally put that option to good use. There is also the usual packaging included, a music video, the trailers, cast bios, pictures etc. Lots of stuff to go through.

Overall, its an enjoyable movie, added with the rest of features makes it a great package.

Reviewer’s Opinion: BUY IT!!