Men in Black is one of the rare breed of films that manages to blend science-fiction, action, adventure and comedy together into a fast-paced, hilarious masterpiece. Impeccable comedic timing, stunningly creative creature designs, destructive firepower, and ludicrously fast cars are all thrown in for one of the most entertaining films of the year. Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones’ star power adds to the witty screenplay and sharp suits to ensure that you won’t want to miss this special effects extravaganza.

James Edwards (Will Smith) gets caught up in a chase through the streets of New York as he pursues a criminal. Being a skillful street cop can’t prepare him for the suspect, however, when he catches what appears to be an alien.

Agent Kay (Tommy Lee Jones) recognizes James’ skills, and recruits him to work for INS Division 6, a top-secret organization that licenses and monitors all alien activity on Earth – a group known as the Men in Black. Skeptical at first, James is introduced to a few of the approximately 1500 aliens that roam U.S. cities, carefully disguised and just trying to make an honest living. Deciding to give up his regular life to become Kay’s partner, “Jay” must contend with the newest alien threat: a havoc-loving “bug” has come to Earth to kill an alien prince and capture a miniature universe, leaving the unwitting planet at the hands of Arquillian annihilative diplomacy. It’s up to Kay and Jay to thwart the bug’s plans and save the world – all in a standard intergalactic week.

One of the first highly successful comic book movies (although not based on the most popular of graphic novels) Men in Black has a winning combination of movie-magic elements and never gives the viewer time to fixate on dull moments. An upbeat, memorable score by Danny Elfman starts the film in the right direction, and Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones’ comedic chemistry fits superbly with their tremendously contrasting personalities. Perfectly timed one-liners and gobs of sarcasm pile up around humorous alien weapons, a meshugga villain, quaint supporting characters, and a memory-erasing device that never gets old. Hearty laughs are the first goal for the film, and the science-fiction setup is a perfect atmosphere for the cynicism and creativity fueling the script.

Choosing to go the route of puppets and chiefly practical effects, Men in Black looks amazing with its gathering of creative alien creature designs. From delivering an alien baby, to communicating with little green men, to battling a ferocious mutated cockroach, the stunning monstrosities, and cuddly yet slimy inventions lead the film’s uniqueness. While a few of the computer graphics may appear reasonably outdated, the majority of the practical special effects still seamlessly blend into the film.

“Anything about that seem unusual to you?” inquires Kay, after Jay’s first assignment is to deliver a tentacled alien offspring. The non-stop verbal gags never cease, nor does the action and adventure, as the well-dressed duo struggle to piece together mysteries and combat alien foes. What makes Men in Black so delightfully unusual is that all of the comedy and all of the characters are entertaining, and nearly all of the visual humor triumphs. In most newer special-effects-extravaganzas, one or more of the elements don’t fit – but in Men in Black, everything works sensationally.

- Mike Massie