MIB – Men In Black, Blu-ray (1997/2008)
Starring: Tommy Lee Jones, Will Smith, Linda Fiorentino
Director: Barry Sonnenfeld
Studio: Columbia Pictures 25231
Video: 1.85:1 anamorphic/enhanced for 16:9, 1080p HD
Audio: English, French, Portuguese Dolby TrueHD 5.1; Spanish, Thai DD 5.1
Subtitles: English, English SDH, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese (traditional & simplified versions), Korean, Thai, Arabic, Dutch, Bahasa
Extras: Interactive features incl. BD-Live Trivia Game, “Ask Frank the Pug,” Enhanced Telestrator commentary by Barry Sonnenfeld and Tommy Lee Jones, Technical commentary with Barry Sonnenfeld and ILM Team, Extended & alternate scenes, “Metamorphosis of Men In Black,” Original Featurette, Scene editing workshop, Visual effects deconstructions, Character animation studios, Storyboard comparisons, Galleries, Music video starring Will Smith, Theatrical and teaser trailers, Alien subtitle track
Length: 98 minutes
Rating: *****
MIB is so much better a combo of sci-fi, action and comedy than attempts such as Mars Attacks. The exploits of the two top-secret agents K and J concern monitoring and controlling the hundreds of aliens from around the universe who have taken up undercover lives as refugees passing for normal human beings – to escape from the universe’s really bad guys, who are big bugs. J (Smith) is recruited to the organization by Jones due his unknowing efforts as a NYC policeman in chasing down a dangerous alien. The two find themselves in the center of one of the many intergalactic conflicts which the MIB handle while insuring that the public knows absolutely nothing about them. They have the help of handy alien technology, such as a little light which erases peoples’ recent memory. The MIB are separate from and above the government, supporting themselves independently by licensing certain alien technology – K specifically mentions microwaves, velcro and liposuction.
The current conflict involves a giant bug who has come to earth to kill the ambassadors from two galaxies who are signing a peace treaty. The “McGuffin” is a whole galaxy – so tiny it fits inside a blue ornament worn on the collar of the cat belonging to one of the ambassadors, and the big bug wants it badly.
The designs and settings are intended to have a futuristic 1960s look about them, and creative use is made of some of the futuristic architectural displays left over from the 1939 World’s Fair in NYC. The dialog is smart and often hilarious; nothing stilted as in so many sci-fi movies. The transfer is superb and this is a perfect film for Blu-ray since it’s full of some very impressive CGI effects which can truly be appreciated in hi-def. The TrueHD surround is thoroughly integrated into the action and involves one deeply in what is going on on-screen. The LFE channel keeps especially busy. The two documentaries in the extras are interesting viewing. As I recall MIB II wasn’t quite as fresh and exciting, but after this one I’m all stoked for its Blu-ray version anyway.
– John Sunier
