Men in Black

Men in Black (1997) gives a whole new meaning to the term ‘illegal alien’. It stars Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones as special secret service agents patrolling New York to control alien activity. In this story, it is acceptable for aliens to roam around the city, as long as they are cleared through customs – although New York’s human popualtion have no idea they are living alongside extra-terrestrials. It’s the Men in Black’s job to make sure they stay in blissful ignorance.

The movie’s special effects and humour are considered the secret of its success. Alongside agents Kay (Jones) and Jay (Smith) are a whole host of weird and wonderful creatures and plenty of visual gags. Actress Linda Fiorentina, one of the film’s stars, said she won her role in a bet while playing poker with director Barry Sonnenfield (who replaced original director Les Mayfield shortly before film production began). Steven Spielberg, executive director, makes a cameo appearance in the role of an extraterrestial. The movie’s theme tune was written and performed by actor/rap star Will Smith himself and became a massive summer hit.