Men in Black

Review

Common Sense Media says

Lots of fun, but too scary for some kids.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

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Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

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Parents say

AGE
12
QUALITY
 

Kids say

AGE
10
QUALITY
 

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that comic mayhem and gross-out creatures from other planets define Men in Black. Scary creatures and life-threatening situations are frequent. The film, however, is as clever as it is exaggerated; some of the most destructive violence is implied, happening just off-camera. Still, young or sensitive kids who can't readily distinguish fantasy from reality may be disturbed by the barrage of exploding insects, grotesque morphing from human to alien life form, and cartoon violence (characters blow up, are vaporized, stabbed, shot with ray guns, and more). There's plenty of swearing ("damn," "goddamn," "bastard," "hell," "s--t") and a few insults, including "d--k" and "pr--k"). 

  • Positive messages1
    Good triumphs over evil. Comically engenders a belief that if Earth were invaded by alien life forms, the situation would be controllable.
  • Positive role models4
    The heroes are flawless -- good, brave, highly intelligent, loyal, and strong. Lots of both ethnic and "interplanetary" diversity. Few women appear: A verbally abused wife and a sexy doctor are the only featured females.
  • Violence5
    All cartoon, all the time. Nothing is meant to be taken seriously, but rather to shock and awe the viewer with comic horror and laughter. Heads roll (literally), and there are explosions, crashes, stabbings, shootings, futuristic weapons. The "ewww" factor is high, as insects with massive tentacles capture humans; slimy creatures erupt into blue goo; a giant bug swallows one of the leads and spits him up later; a woman gives birth to a squid; a vacuum-hose is forced down a man's throat; bizarre-looking humans morph into all manner of even more bizarre creatures.  
  • Sex0
    Some mild innuendo and flirting between one of the heroes and the very attractive (and sexy) female coroner.  
  • Language3
    Frequent swearing and mild profanity: "goddamn," "s--t," "ass," "bastard," hell," "butt," "pissed off."  "D--k" and "pr--k" are used as insults.
  • Consumerism1
    Marlboro cigarettes, Gold's Gym, Bloomingdale's, Ford.  
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking1
    A running joke shows a species of small, slimy, highly literate insects as heavy smokers.  
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What's the story?

The central premise of MEN IN BLACK is that aliens have been living among us for years, monitored and controlled by a secret government agency that must keep the human population unaware. New recruit Agent J (Will Smith) joins up and learns the ropes from veteran Agent K (Tommy Lee Jones), just in time to save the world from a brand-new threat.

Is it any good?

 

What's so original about Men in Black is its unpredictable tone. Part comedy, part science-fiction parody, and part action film, the movie just keeps throwing elements into the pot. Teens will love the combination of irreverent humor, great chase sequences, and gross-out special effects.

Many kids particularly enjoy the over-the-top alien bad guys as they saunter around the countryside wreaking mayhem. But they'll save their heartiest laughs for Smith and his boyish charm. Of course, Smith's flippancy wouldn't play without Jones' earnest straight-man act. The movie is packed with fun moments: alien eyelids blinking sideways (you've got to see it), a talking pug, and supermarket tabloids proven correct. Everything you've ever read in the Star about aliens is true!

Explore, discuss, enjoy

  • Families can talk about Men in Black's over-the-top weapons and violence. Does any of it seem real? Why or why not?

  • Families can also discuss aliens. Do you think that there are other intelligent creatures out there?

  • Can you see why Men in Black spawned the sequels Men in Black II and Men in Black III? Would you like the series to continue?

This review of Men in Black was written by
Parent
March 15, 2010
AGE
10
 
Men in Black
Awesome and funny alien movie. Kids will love it.
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Kid, 12 years old
June 26, 2010
AGE
11
 
mainly 11+
there are a is a bit of swearing in this movie
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Adult
April 9, 2008
AGE
0
 
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Teen, 14 years old
February 15, 2011
AGE
14
 
Suggested MPAA Rating: PG-13 for language, sexual humor, and gory sci-fi violence.
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Kid, 12 years old
June 12, 2009
AGE
11
 
great movie
Great movie i loved it!!! The only thing i did not like about it is that the first word in this movie is a cuss word. But this movie is still really good
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Kid, 11 years old
January 31, 2011
AGE
10
 
Good for most tweens!
Very funny movie, lots of cussing, some violent scenes but violence is unrealistic
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Kid, 8 years old
June 22, 2010
AGE
7
 
you might say what is this movie but what the heck are you doing this is made to make you laugh your butt off
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Kid, 10 years old
December 31, 2010
AGE
10
 
too many swear words
i dont care what anybody says this film is soo funny. great acting by will smith
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Adult
July 21, 2010
AGE
13
 
men in black is one of the best sci-fi movies ever but the movie has some violence and some language used.
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Kid, 10 years old
December 30, 2009
AGE
12
 
great funny to.
love it funny to.
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This review of Men in Black was written by
Topics:space and aliens
Studio:Columbia Tristar
Director:Barry Sonnenfeld
Cast:Linda Fiorentino, Tommy Lee Jones, Vincent D'Onofrio, Will Smith
Genre:Science Fiction
Run time:113 minutes
Theatrical release date:July 2, 1997
DVD release date:May 21, 2002
MPAA rating:PG-13
MPAA explanation:language and sci-fi violence
This review of Men in Black was written by
 
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