James, an NYC cop, is hired by Agent K of a secret government agency that monitors extraterrestrial life on Earth. Together, they must recover an item that has been stolen by an intergalacti... Read allJames, an NYC cop, is hired by Agent K of a secret government agency that monitors extraterrestrial life on Earth. Together, they must recover an item that has been stolen by an intergalactic villain.James, an NYC cop, is hired by Agent K of a secret government agency that monitors extraterrestrial life on Earth. Together, they must recover an item that has been stolen by an intergalactic villain.
- Won 1 Oscar
- 22 wins & 39 nominations total
- Beatrice
- (as Siobhan Fallon)
- INS Agent Janus
- (as Fredric Lane)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaVincent D'Onofrio researched his role as Edgar by watching a lot of bug documentaries. In order to achieve his character's distinctive walk, he put on knee braces so he couldn't bend his legs, and taped up his ankles.
- GoofsWhen riding in the tunnel, Jay puts on an 8-track and listens to Elvis. Jay quips, "You do know Elvis is dead?" to which Kay replies, "No he isn't, he just went home," implying he is an alien. Earlier Kay reveals the aliens first made contact in 1961 - five years after Elvis Presley made his breakthrough performance on Toast of the Town (1948). However, 1961 is only when they made contact, not necessarily when they first landed.
- Quotes
Edwards: 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. Fifteen hundred years ago everybody knew the Earth was the center of the universe. Five hundred years ago, everybody knew the Earth was flat, and fifteen minutes ago, you knew that humans were alone on this planet. Imagine what you'll know tomorrow.
Edwards: What's the catch?
Kay: The catch? The catch is you will sever every human contact. Nobody will ever know you exist anywhere. Ever. I'll give you to sunrise to think it over.
[starts walking away]
Edwards: [shouting after Kay] Hey! Is it worth it?
Kay: Oh yeah, it's worth it...
[starts walking again, stops and turns back briefly]
Kay: ... if you're strong enough!
- Crazy creditsThe animals and aliens used in this film were in no way mistreated and all scenes in which they appeared were under strict supervision with the utmost concern for their handling.
- Alternate versionsThe version shown on Australian cable television is the uncut version with a PG rating
- ConnectionsEdited into Men in Black: Extended and Alternate Scenes (2000)
- SoundtracksMen In Black
Produced by Track Masters
Co-produced by Will Smith
Written by Will Smith, Patrice Rushen, Freddie Washington and Terri McFadden
Performed by Will Smith featuring Cheryl Gamble (as Coko)
Courtesy of Columbia Records
There are a lot of small details that can take multiple viewings to catch. One thing I found funnier the second time I watched it is the scene where Will Smith has just been severely lectured by his boss in the interrogation room when Tommy Lee Jones enters, asks a few questions, and tells Smith to come with him. Smith: "I can't, there's still a lot of paperwork to fill out." Jones: "No, the paperwork is all taken care of." Smith's boss (walking by): "Hey, nice work, Edwards!" This is one of many quick, funny scenes that you only really get if you're paying attention.
All the actors do a good job, too. I thought Rip Torn was the funniest character, and Edgar the bug was hilariously gross. Linda Fiorentino was one of the coolest female characters ever. She put Ripley to shame. Every time I watch this, I want to marry her.
Overall, it's a great comedy that is clever and fun all the way through. 8/10 stars.
- Chromium_5
- Dec 10, 2004
- Permalink
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Official site
- Languages
- Also known as
- Hombres de negro
- Filming locations
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- $90,000,000 (estimated)
- Gross US & Canada
- $250,690,539
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $51,068,455
- Jul 6, 1997
- Gross worldwide
- $589,390,539
- Runtime1 hour 38 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.85 : 1