--- title: "Men in Black: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/men-in-black/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/men-in-black" critics_score: 81 critics_reviews: 8 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Men in Black (1997): what the critics said Critics' score 81 from 8 reviews: 8 positive, 0 mixed, 0 negative. The reviews are consistently positive about Men in Black, with praise centred on the pairing of Tommy Lee Jones and Will Smith: Jones’s straight-faced cool gives Smith’s cockiness something to play against. Most critics also admire how comfortably the film combines science fiction and comedy, treating its alien bureaucracy as an ordinary working environment. The creature designs and effects draw repeated praise, while Sonnenfeld’s direction is credited with keeping the visual invention in step with the jokes rather than letting it overwhelm them. The reservations concern how much story there is beneath that confident handling. The New Yorker admires Jones and the relaxed New York atmosphere but finds the plot thin; Time Out similarly sees a strong premise without enough narrative to sustain it. The spread is otherwise narrow: these are reservations within favourable assessments, rather than dissent over the film’s humour, performances or effects. ## Empire — Ian Nathan Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 1 January 2000. The critic hails the film as a rare successful blend of sci-fi and comedy that delivers genuine laughs. The standout element singled out is the crackling chemistry and buddy dynamic between Tommy Lee Jones and Will Smith. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/men-black-review/) ## Los Angeles Times — Kenneth Turan Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 1 July 1997. Wised-up and offhandedly funny, the film is a genially twisted riff on alien stories with a hipster attitude and lively entertainment value. It singles out the inspired pairing of Tommy Lee Jones and Will Smith and the director's blend of humor and visuals for praise. [Read the review](https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-jul-01-ca-8496-story.html) ## RogerEbert.com — Roger Ebert Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 1 July 1997. The film is a refreshing, self-aware sci-fi comedy that knows it is silly and glories in it, with strong performances from Tommy Lee Jones and Will Smith. It singles out the inventive special effects and monsters by Rick Baker for praise. [Read the review](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/men-in-black-1997) ## Radio Times — Alan Jones Rating 4/5. This box-office smash stars Tommy Lee Jones recruiting Will Smith into a top-secret organisation regulating extraterrestrial activity on Earth. Great special effects, inventive alien designs and the stars' hip, hilarious double act make it a fast-paced pleasure in the style of a Lethal Weapon buddy picture. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-adpzkd/men-in-black/) ## The New York Times — Janet Maslin Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 1 July 1997. The dryly clever film treats its alien premise as business as usual in a deadpan, peculiar sci-fi comedy with artful visuals. It singles out the ambitious design, effects, and Sonnenfeld's ability to make offbeat material mainstream for praise. [Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/1997/07/01/movies/oh-aliens-business-as-usual.html) ## Variety — Todd McCarthy Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 29 June 1997. A witty and sometimes surreal sci-fi comedy that is diabolically funny at times with a deadpan tone and cool attitude, looking set for commercial success. It singles out the fabulous first half-hour's droll establishment of the premise and the seamless integration of Rick Baker's aliens for praise. [Read the review](https://variety.com/1997/film/reviews/men-in-black-1117432622/) ## The New Yorker — Anthony Lane Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 30 June 1997. The picture is indolent and confident with a relaxed tone and strong New York setting, though the story is perilously thin. It singles out Tommy Lee Jones's cool, straight playing for particular praise amid the gags and effects. [Read the review](https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/1997/07/07/summer-olympics) ## Sight and Sound 1 August 1997. The film is a hugely enjoyable romp that shows spectacular effects and visuals need not preclude witty, intelligent screenwriting or engaging characterisation. Sonnenfeld's even-handed direction lets Ed Solomon's script shine, blending sci-fi satire and spy chic with hip humour, while the chemistry between Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones adds cocky charm. [Read the review](http://old.bfi.org.uk/features/ultimatefilm/chart/details.php?ranking=57) ## The Hollywood Reporter — David Hunter 23 June 1997. The critic calls the film a terrifically entertaining sci-fi comedy that combines alien conspiracy fears played for laughs with French Connection-meets-Ghostbusters thrills. They single out the universally accessible performances by Tommy Lee Jones and Will Smith along with the excellent special effects as key to its massive mainstream appeal. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/men-black-review-movie-1997-1221593/) ## Time Out — TCh 18 May 2012. Sonnenfeld's film reminds how lazy most blockbusters have become, with a hip relaxed vibe like Gremlins or Ghostbusters. The well-paired stars make the most of a superior script, and the director makes adroit use of special effects and New York locations, though it's a great idea in search of a plot. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/men-in-black) ## Den of Geek — Mark Pickavance Rating 4/5. 6 July 2008. The critic praises the film as a cinematic perfect storm that successfully blends comedy, excitement, entertainment and wit through the contrasting styles of Tommy Lee Jones and Will Smith. Sonnenfeld is credited with delivering an off-the-wall take on the source material without succumbing to sloppy filmmaking or sentimentality. [Read the review](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/men-in-black-blu-ray-review/) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/men-in-black.md