In 1997, superstarWill Smith(Independence Day) joined forces with Academy Award winnerTommy Lee Jones(The Fugitive) to star in the sci-fi comedyMen in Black. Based on the eponymous comic book series, the film follows two agents working for a secret organization investigating and monitoring aliens secretly living on Earth. The film was a major box office hit, so logically, it spawned two sequels and a multimedia franchise. However, its sequels were more divisive with both critics and audiences.
Still, theMen in Blackfranchise remains a highlight of the late 90s and early 2000s, proving not only Jones and Smith’s star power but a willingness from Hollywood to invest in more sci-fi vehicles after a dry spell during much of the early 90s. Each of the fourMen in Blackmovies has strengths and weaknesses, but it’s undeniable how superior some of its entries are. Whether because of their humor, memorable action sequences, stellar alien design, or Jones and Smith’s winning charm,someMen in Blackmovies are far better than others.
4’Men in Black: International' (2019)
Director: F. Gary Gray
Chris Hemsworth(Thor: Love and Thunder) andTessa Thompson(Passing) reunite following their stint in the MCU for the 2019 sci-fi comedyMen in Black: International. The fourth film in theMen in Blackfranchise and a standalone sequel to the original trilogy, the film follows agents H and M as they attempt to find a mole within the organization.Rebecca Ferguson(Dune Part Two),Emma Thompson(Saving Mr. Banks), andLiam Neesonalso star (Taken).
Men in Black: Internationalis sillier than its predecessors, and it suffers greatly because of it. Hemsworth and Thompson are talented and game, with great chemistry and comedic timing and an instant understanding of the kind of movie they’re supposed to be making. However, even they can’t elevate what is an otherwise bland screenplay that settles for rehashing ideas that the original trilogy did better. The visual effects are also quite disappointing, often ruining what could otherwise be a solid action or comedic sequence. Overall,Men in Black: Internationalhas no reason to exist. Its greatest achievement is reminding audiences, and the industry itself, that most of the charm from this particular saga comes fromthe great Will Smithand his partnership with a stoic yet endearing straight man.
Men In Black: International
3’Men in Black II' (2002)
Director: Barry Sonnenfeld
Five years after the whopping success ofMen in Black, Will Smith, Tommy Lee Jones, and directorBarry Sonnenfeld(Addams Family Values) reunited for a sequel. Appropriately titledMen in Black II, it sees Agent J bringing Agent K out of retirement to face a dangerous alien long thought to be subdued.Lara Flynn Boyle(The Practice) co-stars as the antagonist, withRosario Dawson(Ahsoka) as a pivotal new character.
Like many terrible sequels,Men in Black IImakes the mistake of thinking that more is better, but even its visual effects pale compared to what came before. Conversely, it stays overly safe story-wise, choosing to rehash what worked from its predecessor rather than innovate or improve upon it. Smith and Jones are reliably great, successfully recreating the dynamic they shared in the first movie. Flynn Boyle is also having fun as the campy and unserious alien villain, perhaps going a tad too over-the-top. However, they are still doing their part, keeping things as entertaining as possible, even if the story is silly to the point of being ridiculous.Men in Black IIis not unwatchable by any means, but it’s also not particularly interesting or memorable. It’s safe and pleasant but lacks the punch and humor of its predecessor and successor.
Men in Black II
Watch on AMC+
2’Men in Black 3' (2012)
A decade afterMen in Black II, the trio of Smith, Jones, and Sonnenfeld returned one last time for a third round of alien action.Men in Black 3sees K and J facing Boris the Animal, a violent alien who threatens the safety of Earth. J must go back in time and work with a younger version of K, played byJosh Brolin(Avengers: Endgame), to stop Boris before it’s too late.
WhereasMen in Blackkeeps things way too safe, its sequel is unafraid to be bold and as experimental as it could possibly get.Men in Black 3changes the status quo by relegating Jones to a supporting role, allowing Brolin to act as Smith’s companion for much of the film’s duration. Luckily, Brolin is perfect as a younger K, effortlessly capturing Jones' mannerisms and rejuvenating the dynamic between his character and Smith’s J.Underrated yet brilliant character actorMichael Stuhlbargadds a sense of whimsy and lighthearted humor as the odd alien Griffin, a much welcome addition that further enhances the plot.Men in Black 3was the perfect conclusion to the trilogy, delivering fan service wrapped in a high-stakes plot that never disappoints and allowing Smith to once again flex the comedy muscles that first made him a star.
Men in Black 3
1’Men in Black' (1997)
Science fiction as a genre was a tough sell during the late ’80s and early ’90s. However, the success ofJurassic Parklaunched a new age for the genre, allowing studios to once again invest in ambitious sci-fi stories on both the big and small screens. It was in this environment thatMen in Blackfirst came out, capitalizing on the popularity of Mr. Jones and Mr. Smith to revive the near-defunct sci-fi comedy.
Men in Blackwas a true breath of fresh air in 1997. Hilarious, action-packed, and featuring one of the best odd couples of the 20th century, the film was an instant critical and commercial success. Much of the freshness inMen in Blackcan be traced back to its leading actors. Smith is the perfect audience surrogate, bringing a dynamic and enthusiastic energy to his character that’s perfectly matched by Jones' stoic jadedness. A scene-stealingVincent D’Onofrioalso does some heavy lifting here as the grotesque villain Edgar the Bug, who manages to pull focus even when sharing the screen with Smith and Jones.Men in Blackis a milestone of ’90s cinema, the perfect combination of two genres that seldom go together. Featuring memorable characters, a quotable screenplay, and some of the decade’s best action sequences,Men in Blackis the kind of movie that only gets better with time.
