This week’s assemblage of films includes:
·Men in Black
·Men in Black II
·Men in Black III
·Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets
·The Man Who Fell to Earth
The focal feature will be Men in Black.
This category really has no business being a category. There are so many musicians who are amazing actors, and so many actors who we find out are also amazing musicians. There are also those who are so-so at the other, and those who don’t successfully make the crossover. Some start as actors and musicians, even. I don’t find it necessary to explain the history of the actor-musicians in the films listed, so perhaps “Seeking Different Stardom” is a misnomer; however, in designing the categories for this self-guided romp through science fiction, I noticed that these films all featured or starred musicians. That’s not to say that these films lack merit besides their musician stars. I simply thought it was an interesting trend.
Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets features Rihanna, and Cara Delevigne also sings for the film. The Man Who Fell to Earth stars the late David Bowie, and the original ‘MiB’ franchise stars Will Smith. Besides this, ‘Valerian’ has some of the most advanced visual effects made and follows a French comic, Valérian and Laureline, that was iconic in Europe. Apparently, parts of it inspired Star Wars, for some idea of its impact. I don’t have much to say about the film starring Bowie simply because I have yet to see it; it’s on my list for things to do post-“Apocalypse”. So, onto the feature film: Men in Black.
James Darrell Edwards III (Will Smith) is a NYPD officer who has an encounter with an alien, and following, the Men in Black via Agent K (Tommy Lee Jones). While his memory of the incident is erased, he is given a time and place to report to and is invited to become a Men in Black agent. After contemplating the decision, he accepts and loses his former identity, becoming Agent J. Zed (Rip Torn) sends J and K to investigate an alien leaving the area for which he is cleared to live. The two are quickly embroiled in an intergalactic conflict that threatens the fate of the earth. Oh, and the galaxy at large, but that’s a minor matter.
Over the years I’ve seen this film a few times. Most of those viewings were when I was eight or nine. Seeing it again so many years later was a treat. The overarching story is typical – stop intergalactic conflict and save the earth, keeping it secret all the while. Maybe it’s partially my nostalgia, but the subplots and the specifics of the situation can be surprisingly fun and smart, with a particular favorite of mine being the “Orion’s belt” puzzle. Even in the more serious moments, the film doesn’t hesitate to make things humorous. I would be amiss to neglect mentioning the delightful politeness of the Arquillians: “Deliver the galaxy or Earth will be destroyed. Sorry." It is this gravity, no pun intended, that makes the comedy so memorable and potent, and for that I applaud the script. Furthermore, with a runtime nearing one hundred minutes, the film moves quickly and maintains a high energy level.
The characters are well-developed. Laurel is introduced in the background yet retains her agency and dignity even as she becomes entangled in the Bug’s plot to steal the galaxy. Agent K has his tragic backstory which, as a child, I didn’t fully understand. His perpetually tired attitude helps with his delivery of more dramatic quotes in the film. Agent J’s issues with authority were portrayed with a realism often not leant to characters like him. While this is a mix of acting skill and the excellent dialogue, Agent J is able to learn that authority isn’t always to be distrusted, but the authority figures also learn that just because someone is new doesn’t mean that they are clueless. The involved parties in this issue come to respect each other by the film’s close. Chief Zed is indescribably perfect, and Bibup and Bob have a tragically small part. Although, maybe I just wanted to hear Agent K say Bibup again. Ironically, the name is changed to be even stranger for the animated series, with Bibup becoming Idikiukup, so my wish has been fulfilled. Al Roker, Steven Spielberg, and the director’s daughter are among the aliens under surveillance by the MiB. And, to not mention the Bug would be a crime. Vincent D’Onofrio excels at the physicality of this shambling intergalactic cockroach in an Edgar suit. Everything about the Bug is disgusting and magnificent.
In science fiction that doesn’t follow the current progression of society, world building is key. World building should be key for any film that operates in a reality that isn’t our own, but it is especially important for science fiction and fantasy. Men in Black excels at this. As I’ll mention shortly, the aliens feel unique to this world, even though there are clear visual cues to other works that may have inspired them. With Agent J as our everyman figure, important information is imparted casually regardless of how funny or serious it is. Even when information is applicable to our world, it is presented in a memorable way. K’s speech on what we “know” at any given moment is iconic.
The aliens are fantastic. After all, they were designed by Rick Baker, the man behind An American Werewolf in London, which is one of my favorite – as well as one of the best – horror movies made. If you are curious about my thoughts on that film, you can find them here. Regardless, these effects understandably had to be approved by both director Barry Sonnenfeld and executive producer Steven Spielberg, which apparently made this one of his most complicated films to work on. The work clearly paid off, with believable and memorable aliens populating the Men in Black headquarters and the slowly decaying Edgar stealing the show.
The film spawned a franchise, with two sequel films and a recent spinoff called Men in Black: International. As I have yet to see it, I’ll refrain from comment. The sales of Predator 2 Ray-Bans (the protocol glasses worn by the Men in Black) tripled after the film’s release. The single “Men in Black” by Will Smith is considered one of the most iconic movie songs of all time. Danny Elfman’s score has given this film franchise an iconic tune to rally behind, which has also surely helped cement the film’s legacy in pop culture. The Men in Black: Alien Attack attraction at Universal Studios Orlando is based off of and expands upon the firing simulation where “Little Tiffany” is shot. And, not to brag, but my highest score is in the 400,000s range – not that I remember, of course.
The comics off of which the franchise is based (The Men in Black) were published by Aircel Comics, which was then bought by Malibu Comics, which was then bought by Marvel Comics. After Marvel acquired the comics, they published a reprint of the original comics as well as a few one-shot comics upon the release of the film. These comics sparked the fire that created an empire capable of retaining its relevancy even today.
All of this is music to my ears. Time will tell how it continues aging, but for now everything seems golden. Wait – what’s that in the distance? Find out next week when I tackle what’s coming Out of Left Quadrant.
Indira Ramgolam is a sophomore in Columbia College.