Okay, all things considered, this movie delivers on a number of issues. There were some good performances from Fenn, Roberts and Stockwell. The dialogue was realistic. Writing was good considering the low budget. The research of the subject matter was excellent! It's just too bad that larger budgets won't support such treatments of well established UFO mythology. This one pretty much got it right, though it relied a little heavily on "big movie" gratuities, such as big explosions, high speed action. Overall, the movie was good and is a great addition to the lackluster treatment of UFO lore by Hollywood to date.
33 Reviews
Better attempt at MIB mythology...
timmy24222 December 2000
Overall, I was impressed by a number of things. Good casting, pretty good writing, some fine acting from Fenn, Roberts and Stockwell. The lead MIB was well done indeed! Really captures the heart of MIB lore - these folks really did their research (a rarity with these kinds of films, as you know). It's just too bad that this kind of film doesent deserve a larger budget. I give it a solid B!
A predictable cliche but it's okay overall
elwyn51503 March 2000
This film seems to be an attempt to give a more "realistic" portrayal of alien encounters and Men In Black (well I say "realistic" because the proof is still lacking).
It certainly targets to people (such as myself) who have a strong interest in UFOlogy, aliens, MIBs, the real X files etc.
It's not a bad film but not a great film. It's rather predictable throughout because it has all the cliches that we've learnt from the X Files and tv shows about aliens abductions.
It is not a bad movie to watch if you are reading a book, playing the guitar or doing something else while it's on.
The ending pleasantly and enjoyably excessive but I guess a film needs some sort of closure.
There was a lot of talent that was wasted on this film. Both Dean Stockwell and Sherilyn Fenn have made much better films.
It certainly targets to people (such as myself) who have a strong interest in UFOlogy, aliens, MIBs, the real X files etc.
It's not a bad film but not a great film. It's rather predictable throughout because it has all the cliches that we've learnt from the X Files and tv shows about aliens abductions.
It is not a bad movie to watch if you are reading a book, playing the guitar or doing something else while it's on.
The ending pleasantly and enjoyably excessive but I guess a film needs some sort of closure.
There was a lot of talent that was wasted on this film. Both Dean Stockwell and Sherilyn Fenn have made much better films.
what the?
nop_inc22 June 2004
Well, This isn't that bad, not as bad as some make it out to be. If you are into UFOs and alien abduction. Some parts are pretty cheesey, but all in all it's not that bad of film. Once you start watching you kind of got to keep watching to see what happens.
I'm not much into Eric Roberts movies, but he was actually pretty good in this. If you an actually lover of films then you might like this one. give it a chance.
Now, to say that It's unrealistic, you got to remember it is just a movie. I highly doubt that this was based on a real life encounter. just go into with an open mind.
I'm not much into Eric Roberts movies, but he was actually pretty good in this. If you an actually lover of films then you might like this one. give it a chance.
Now, to say that It's unrealistic, you got to remember it is just a movie. I highly doubt that this was based on a real life encounter. just go into with an open mind.
Here come the Men In Black...
Huntress-223 March 1999
Finally, a semi-accurate portrayal of the infamous Men In Black, although I doubt the real MIB agents are alien/human hybrids. Okay, so the plot line was thin and sounded like an x-file, but lets give the writers credit for doing some research in Ufology. Hard core conspiracy buffs and those looking for alternatives to the "Will Smith" and "Tommy Lee Jones" MIB only.
Please don't let me be abducted by this family.
Jill-6813 March 2001
Standard alien-abduction conspiracy-theory story that could be written in one's sleep (and probably was). The centerpiece of the tale is a very unappealing All-American Family...Hollywood Yuppie version. The dad is a complete wimp (he's handed a grenade and says "What do I do?"...that really cracked my kids up). The mom is overbearing, overprotective, and humorless...probably heads the local PTA. And the kid is whiny...but then, look at his parents. The only enjoyment I got out of this movie was watching Dean Stockwell....I loved it when he was frying up eggs for breakfast, and then asked the dad if he would rather have granola..or (with great disdain) Yogurt! Personally, Dean would probably have had a better time if he invited the MIB to breakfast...and barricaded his house against the Yuppies.
perfect MST3K Bot-fodder
MadamEvil26 September 1998
What a trainwreck. Cheesey family, bisquick-filled villains, horrible dialogue, even worse acting, cliche after awful cliche, large plot holes, non-attention to some details, over-emphasis of other details....
~Avoid~ this movie, unless you want a good laugh and/or are in the mood to MST.
~Avoid~ this movie, unless you want a good laugh and/or are in the mood to MST.
OK, but....
jwr46 November 2005
Warning: Spoilers
Interesting premise, but poor ending. Dean Stockwell explains to the family that the aliens can easily track them whenever they use a credit card, etc. The aliens find the family several times.
Near the end, after the battle with the aliens at Stockwell's home, the family and Stockwell leave in Stockwell's car. Part way down the driveway, Stockwell passes the father a couple grenades and tells him to blow up the alien's cars, which the father does.
The aliens can be clearly seen still standing around, alive and well, yet for some strange reason the family and Stockwell think they will all be safe from that point on. Why? They could see the live aliens in the rear view mirror.
The family moves into a new home and the movie ends with a black car pulling up in front of the new home. Knowing the aliens were not dead, and knowing they had easily tracked the family earlier, it was no surprise they found the family again.
One other annoying little thing seen so much in movies. When one of the aliens had been shot or otherwise injured and was lying flat on his back, Stockwell went over, squatted down and practically stuck his face in the face of the alien to check it (the alien) out. Gosh, I wondered what would happen next. Of course the alien suddenly reached up and grabbed Stockwell. Surprise, surprise!
Near the end, after the battle with the aliens at Stockwell's home, the family and Stockwell leave in Stockwell's car. Part way down the driveway, Stockwell passes the father a couple grenades and tells him to blow up the alien's cars, which the father does.
The aliens can be clearly seen still standing around, alive and well, yet for some strange reason the family and Stockwell think they will all be safe from that point on. Why? They could see the live aliens in the rear view mirror.
The family moves into a new home and the movie ends with a black car pulling up in front of the new home. Knowing the aliens were not dead, and knowing they had easily tracked the family earlier, it was no surprise they found the family again.
One other annoying little thing seen so much in movies. When one of the aliens had been shot or otherwise injured and was lying flat on his back, Stockwell went over, squatted down and practically stuck his face in the face of the alien to check it (the alien) out. Gosh, I wondered what would happen next. Of course the alien suddenly reached up and grabbed Stockwell. Surprise, surprise!
'You're A Grade A Genuine Alien Abductee! With the Stan Mills Seal of Approval!'
nawtwrong15 August 2006
Warning: Spoilers
For some reason I keep going back to this film. I think it's got something to do with the fact that this film is so bad its compelling to watch. As soon as I saw Dean Stockwell (of Quantum Leap fame) in the opening scene, I could tell this was on of those classic films that you'll remember forever and burst out laughing whenever it is mentioned. After the opening sequence, we are introduced to the family and the father (Bob Wilson, none other than Eric Roberts) a man on a mission, a man with a plan, a man who will drag his beloved family to "PAINTED MOUNTAIN" with hilarious but near-deadly consequences. After the unwashed, scabby petrol pump attendant has warned Bob (and given away the plot) we soon discover that the family have been abducted by aliens. In desperation and looking for an answer they contact the military but instead they get two creepy men from the MIB who keep using quirky one-lines such as "we'll have Coca Colas.........please" and "They have a tape, find it!". An action packed car chase ensues and they seek out the safety of Stan Mills lead-lined estate who's got his phones routed through enough sub systems, that the MIB will never find them, typically however for this sort of films and partly down to tracking device in their son's nose, they do! They have no other choice but to confront the Men In Black, unfortunately for his family though Bob has never shot a gun in his life which he openly admits in front of his scared son and wife who adds "Got another clip?" that must've made him feel low. Dean Stockwell comes to the rescue and drives the family away thinking that the single badly thrown granade will rid the of the MIB forever. We end with shots of the new family home of Bob Wilson and his family, but who should be lurking outside? the MIB that's who! I've given this film 4 out of 10, because aside from the tragic plot, bad casting and bad acting it's one of the most memorable and funny things I've ever seen.
Not a great movie, but a good one...
SSJTrunks3 November 1999
I thought Shadow Men was good, for a direct-to-video flick. Oh sure, the special effects weren't great and there were a few plot holes here and there, but otherwise, it was ok. There was a sort of creepiness about the whole thing. Afterall, would you really want to be chased by the MiB? (And I'm not talking about the light-hearted MiB of Jones and Smith).
Very, very, very, average,..... but watchable.....
merklekranz7 November 2008
Any movie with Eric Roberts and Dean Stockwell can't be all bad, and "The Shadow Men" confirms this. The film is not all bad, but it is also far from good, in other words average at best. Abducted,typical family, on the run from men in black, with amazing transformation into gun wielding combatants. Most likely no one will be totally satisfied here, certainly not the sci-fi crowd with the simplistic story, and definitely not the action crowd with the laughable gun play. Nevertheless, the presence of Roberts, Stockwell, and Sherilyn Flynn, keeps the acting on track, and aims the film squarely at an average rating (5.0) , where it belongs. - MERK
ok, not great, sci-fi
shempinhollywood6 July 2000
Interesting idea, along the lines of the "real" men in black, turns into a conventional potboiler about halfway through. Ok action, some good acting, ultimately stock directing... but a good overall attempt by the filmmakers to personalize the characters and give them some depth... out of character for this type of low budget production. Roberts is pretty good, so is Sherilyn Fenn. The stand out for me? It's got to be cult actor Andrew Prine as the main MIB. Above Average, I give it 7 out of ten.
The Most "Meh" Movie Ever Made
Droid_Gunner1 April 2016
It seems not a single person behind-the-scenes on this project strived to make it anything more than passable. That's not to say the film is bad -- it isn't. It's not great either. It's just... *Meh*
There were opportunities in the script for curve balls to be thrown at the audience, but the filmmakers declined. They stuck to the formula, never veered off the path of familiarity, and gave us the plot completely by the numbers. This is the type of movie that you can flip on at any time and not really pay attention, never having to worry if you'll miss any key plot points.
I'm a fan of Eric Roberts and find him enjoyable in even the worst of movies, so having him in the cast definitely helped.
And kudos to the filmmakers for playing off the ridiculously awful alien costumes for realism. They looked awful, but worked in that "so cheesy it's fun" sort of way.
There were opportunities in the script for curve balls to be thrown at the audience, but the filmmakers declined. They stuck to the formula, never veered off the path of familiarity, and gave us the plot completely by the numbers. This is the type of movie that you can flip on at any time and not really pay attention, never having to worry if you'll miss any key plot points.
I'm a fan of Eric Roberts and find him enjoyable in even the worst of movies, so having him in the cast definitely helped.
And kudos to the filmmakers for playing off the ridiculously awful alien costumes for realism. They looked awful, but worked in that "so cheesy it's fun" sort of way.
good one
mattkratz28 February 2001
It would be interesting to compare this one to Men in Black. (the will smith film.) This was more like what I've heard real life stories of encounters with MIB agents is like. Decent cast, too, with Eric Roberts, Dean Stockwell, and Andrew Prine. Slow and dark at times, but worth the rental if just to satisfy your curiosity. Give it a try.
** 1/2 out of ****
** 1/2 out of ****
Oh dear
arconat10 September 1999
This is so bad it isn't even funny. I think it must have been written by an unintelligent child. It really is quite unbelievable how poorly-made this film is. It actually has a good cast, but it is one of those films that you can't understand why it got made at all. Best line: "MIB meet TNT"!
This flick, utterly destroys the ET myth.Good and proper.
gemma-1007 April 2007
Bought the Video for 50 cents, in the local blockbusters 'culling' of 'rust'. Cover looked good,shadowy figures shrouded by mist, a promise of a 'cracker jack' MIB and cover-ups.
Pace, energy, dramatic tension empathy with character,there is none there.
Eric Roberts, an actor who I was not aware of before this movie,stars as Bob Wilson , a man with very bad facial hair,looking late 70's.There is some scenes in the movie where he looks like he has lost some 'teeth' on the left side and the beard is a beard to hide the fact.
It looks and runs like a 'low budget' B,but without the 'whackyness' to become a cult movie.
The story has been culled from the 'real' UFO alien abduction case's that were abound during the year 1996 and 1998.These books collectively had concluded the the 'greys' have been here all the time,but are so sensitive to sunlight,they are addicted to 'ray bands' and black suits and cars.Because they are so embarrassed off these 'faults' they are determined to remove any evidence that earthlings may have happened to stumble on, that they exist.
The Movie does not get off first base. Dean stock well, who plays the UFO writer Stan Mills adds some , energy' to this movie,but you do feel that somehow Dean is winking to the camera with the thought, can you really believe this.....
Howver there was a 'laff', the dog's name was 'anthrax', a sly reference to 'close encounters....'
Lisa Dinkins, the desk sergeant, looks more angry towards the director on the set, than to the character who'dosn't make her day'.
The Shadow Men, lacks script, and direction.For a film made in 1998 it looks and rides like a 'loss leader'.
It deserves only a two, but I'm open to suggestions that it deserves better. BJay,aka gemma100
Pace, energy, dramatic tension empathy with character,there is none there.
Eric Roberts, an actor who I was not aware of before this movie,stars as Bob Wilson , a man with very bad facial hair,looking late 70's.There is some scenes in the movie where he looks like he has lost some 'teeth' on the left side and the beard is a beard to hide the fact.
It looks and runs like a 'low budget' B,but without the 'whackyness' to become a cult movie.
The story has been culled from the 'real' UFO alien abduction case's that were abound during the year 1996 and 1998.These books collectively had concluded the the 'greys' have been here all the time,but are so sensitive to sunlight,they are addicted to 'ray bands' and black suits and cars.Because they are so embarrassed off these 'faults' they are determined to remove any evidence that earthlings may have happened to stumble on, that they exist.
The Movie does not get off first base. Dean stock well, who plays the UFO writer Stan Mills adds some , energy' to this movie,but you do feel that somehow Dean is winking to the camera with the thought, can you really believe this.....
Howver there was a 'laff', the dog's name was 'anthrax', a sly reference to 'close encounters....'
Lisa Dinkins, the desk sergeant, looks more angry towards the director on the set, than to the character who'dosn't make her day'.
The Shadow Men, lacks script, and direction.For a film made in 1998 it looks and rides like a 'loss leader'.
It deserves only a two, but I'm open to suggestions that it deserves better. BJay,aka gemma100
Cheesy Sci-Fi movie that is very entertaining.
jhpstrydom26 March 2010
On their way home from a camping trip Robert Wilson and his family saw something in the sky, a bright light that seemed to have been chasing them, the following day Robert Wilson contacts the air force wanting to make sure whether or not it might have been a new type of aircraft being tested, then strange men arrive at their home asking strange questions and soon the Wilson family realize their lives could be at risk.
This little Sci-Fi thriller does believe it or not take itself seriously but it comes off as rather cheesy but I was entertained nonetheless, the acting was above average the direction was okay and the storyline was in fact cheesy but it had its moments, the special effects are really nothing to talk about, the aliens look almost like the ones in SCARY MOVIE 3 but that at the end just added to the overall cheesiness of the film.
Of course if cheesy Sci-Fi features are you're thing, try tracking down a film called THE SILENCERS directed by Richard Pepin.
This little Sci-Fi thriller does believe it or not take itself seriously but it comes off as rather cheesy but I was entertained nonetheless, the acting was above average the direction was okay and the storyline was in fact cheesy but it had its moments, the special effects are really nothing to talk about, the aliens look almost like the ones in SCARY MOVIE 3 but that at the end just added to the overall cheesiness of the film.
Of course if cheesy Sci-Fi features are you're thing, try tracking down a film called THE SILENCERS directed by Richard Pepin.
I don't care who he is as long as he doesn't wear sunglasses
kapelusznik1829 May 2016
Warning: Spoilers
***SPOILERS*** The movie has to do with a family the Wilsons Bob Dez and 12 year old son Andy, Eric Roberts Sherilyn Fenn & Brendon Ryan Barrett, who when driving home from a hiking trip in the mountains encounter a 100 foot UFO that forces them off the road and into a ditch. It's some two hours later that they find themselves back on the highway with the car or van in working order with no memory of the two hours of missing time. Strange things start to happen to the Wilson's when these strange men in black, black hats sunglasses pants suits shoes as well as socks, lead by this guy who calls himself Perkins, Andrew Prine, show up at the house asking them what happened to them as if they really care. It turns out that these Men in Black-MIB-are only interested in shutting the Wilsons up and keeping them from making public their encounter with the UFO, which Andy secretly video taped with his camcorder, even if they have to murder them in doing it!
Bob Wilson now trying to get help gets in touch with top UFO investigator and author Stan Mills, Dean Stockwell, to fill him in about these strange MIB and what to do to get rid them if not with words, the local police aren't any help, or if necessary the use of force. Staying at Stan Mills bunker like home the Wilsons as well as Mills are soon confronted with some two dozen MIB in black driving of course, their favorite color, black SUV's trying to storm the place and, to keep them from talking, murder them.
***SPOILERS*** The usual tame MIB's are a bit more aggressive here then you would expect them to be using military tactics to get things done thus messing up their neatly press black clothes by getting both gun and pellet, from shotgun, shots from Stan Mills and the Wilsons ripping them to shreds. We also get to see these what turned out to be half bred-human and aliens-for what they really are with black bug eyes, under their sunglasses, and this is really strange white soap suds like blood when their shot or battered. the film's star Eric Roberts dose some of his best acting in it by not being the usual psychotic personality that he seems to be playing in most of his movies but a normal well adjusted as well as, in the movies finial scenes, heroic person. One of the better UFO and alien from space movies with the MIB-Men in Black-taking center stage and showing themselves for the scary and dangerous and creepy persons that they really are.
Bob Wilson now trying to get help gets in touch with top UFO investigator and author Stan Mills, Dean Stockwell, to fill him in about these strange MIB and what to do to get rid them if not with words, the local police aren't any help, or if necessary the use of force. Staying at Stan Mills bunker like home the Wilsons as well as Mills are soon confronted with some two dozen MIB in black driving of course, their favorite color, black SUV's trying to storm the place and, to keep them from talking, murder them.
***SPOILERS*** The usual tame MIB's are a bit more aggressive here then you would expect them to be using military tactics to get things done thus messing up their neatly press black clothes by getting both gun and pellet, from shotgun, shots from Stan Mills and the Wilsons ripping them to shreds. We also get to see these what turned out to be half bred-human and aliens-for what they really are with black bug eyes, under their sunglasses, and this is really strange white soap suds like blood when their shot or battered. the film's star Eric Roberts dose some of his best acting in it by not being the usual psychotic personality that he seems to be playing in most of his movies but a normal well adjusted as well as, in the movies finial scenes, heroic person. One of the better UFO and alien from space movies with the MIB-Men in Black-taking center stage and showing themselves for the scary and dangerous and creepy persons that they really are.
A movie with no plot, bad acting, horrible special effects, and basically sucked!
SwampAss26 September 1998
..This is definitely a movie for MST3K...My friend and I had fun ripping it apart..the movie just wasn't a
pleasant experience..If you feel like committing suicide,
watch this movie--it will give you the extra boost to help you venture to the other side.
pleasant experience..If you feel like committing suicide,
watch this movie--it will give you the extra boost to help you venture to the other side.
I was an Alien
kelleemalia27 March 2007
I was an alien both in the studio (the top floor of the production studio was turned into the space ship hallway boiling hot in that rubber suit), and out on location when the car goes into the ditch (freezing cold - ice on my windshield when I left to go home). I also had to be a body double as the son when he ran out of time (kids can only work so many hours). They wrapped me up in a blanket and Eric had to carry me into the house. The last day of filming, I had to wear a wig and a mole to be Dez (SL was off set that night), and ride around in the minivan as it 'drove through the woods.'
This was a fun production to be on! I'm glad that the movie has gotten an OK rating!
This was a fun production to be on! I'm glad that the movie has gotten an OK rating!
MIB vs. Minivan
Ulysses18624 September 2006
Warning: Spoilers
The Shadow Men is an absurd and nonsensical take on the men in black (MIB) phenomenon. The move itself is of moderate/low budget.. standard for a straight to video B movie. The plot seems to be standard enough yet, like diamonds in the rough, there are these priceless sequences that make no sense and can cause great episodes of hilarity.
The family:
1) Father, Bob Wilson (Erik Roberts).. Rugged good-looks and a well-manicured beard really knows how to drive a minivan. 2) Mother, Dez Wilson (Sherilyn Fenn) sweet concerned mother, fearful of MIB. 3) Son, Andy Wilson (Brendan Ryan Barrett) Ugly little kid.
The family is making their way home after a trip when their minivan falls under the glare of a bright light.. The family wakes up some time after, not remembering what had transpired, but later suffers from nightmares, alluding to alien abduction. Later they check their video camera, which the abducting aliens failed to notice.. and it had recorded the details of their abduction. The family contacts the Air Force and reports the sighting. Soon after some mysterious men in black pay them a visit and questions them. The MIB wear bad black suits with thin ties and black wayfarer type sunglasses and black conspicuous hats. The mother asks the MIB if they would like a drink, they reply "We will have a Coca-Cola." The MIB start to tail the family and even go so far so to harass Andy in the schoolyard. The MIB leans down and authoritatively asks the lad questions, and though they are surrounded by dozens and dozens of people, no one seems to notice a man in a black suit and black sunglasses and a black fedora harassing a child in the schoolyard. Not too long later the MIB intensify their effort to harass the family. Rugged good-looks and a beard managed to outrun the perusing MIB with his minivan. Apparently all MIB drive 1985 Chevy celebrity sedans.. Still surprising that MIB could be ditched with a minivan. After this incident the family is contacted by the author and retired Air Force personnel Stan Mills (Dean Stockwell) and the family is beckoned to take refuges in Mill's secluded ranch-complex. Though the family feels at ease here it's not long until the MIB track them down and let loose a Chevy celebrity onslaught. The MIB break through the complex's defenses and eventually get inside the house. The MIB can not be downed by a direct pointblank blast of a 12-guage shotgun but can be killed by a blow from a 2 x 4 if swung by rugged good-looks and a beard. After one MIB is downed he falls over and his black wayfarers fall off revealing huge alien type eyes, which would have been clearly visible regardless of what type of sunglasses he was wearing. As it turns out all MIB are alien/human hybrids. Eventually the MIB are driven back and the family escapes, though they are doomed to walk the earth in terror knowing that any Chevy celebrity might be the end of them all. The movie is terrible, but luckily this kind of cinematic folly lends beautiful, unintentional golden humor to this film. Every positive and amusing thing about the film is entirely accidental, as its formulaic and predictable flow is really pathetic. If the film was even a bit more craftily written or the actors tried a little harder it would have been devoid of redeeming qualities. Luckily Justin Stanley and Eric Miller the writers are seriously inept, yet their blunder has inadvertently created a wonder. If you are amused by really bad cinema, or enjoy lifetime made for TV movies, I would highly recommend this film.
The family:
1) Father, Bob Wilson (Erik Roberts).. Rugged good-looks and a well-manicured beard really knows how to drive a minivan. 2) Mother, Dez Wilson (Sherilyn Fenn) sweet concerned mother, fearful of MIB. 3) Son, Andy Wilson (Brendan Ryan Barrett) Ugly little kid.
The family is making their way home after a trip when their minivan falls under the glare of a bright light.. The family wakes up some time after, not remembering what had transpired, but later suffers from nightmares, alluding to alien abduction. Later they check their video camera, which the abducting aliens failed to notice.. and it had recorded the details of their abduction. The family contacts the Air Force and reports the sighting. Soon after some mysterious men in black pay them a visit and questions them. The MIB wear bad black suits with thin ties and black wayfarer type sunglasses and black conspicuous hats. The mother asks the MIB if they would like a drink, they reply "We will have a Coca-Cola." The MIB start to tail the family and even go so far so to harass Andy in the schoolyard. The MIB leans down and authoritatively asks the lad questions, and though they are surrounded by dozens and dozens of people, no one seems to notice a man in a black suit and black sunglasses and a black fedora harassing a child in the schoolyard. Not too long later the MIB intensify their effort to harass the family. Rugged good-looks and a beard managed to outrun the perusing MIB with his minivan. Apparently all MIB drive 1985 Chevy celebrity sedans.. Still surprising that MIB could be ditched with a minivan. After this incident the family is contacted by the author and retired Air Force personnel Stan Mills (Dean Stockwell) and the family is beckoned to take refuges in Mill's secluded ranch-complex. Though the family feels at ease here it's not long until the MIB track them down and let loose a Chevy celebrity onslaught. The MIB break through the complex's defenses and eventually get inside the house. The MIB can not be downed by a direct pointblank blast of a 12-guage shotgun but can be killed by a blow from a 2 x 4 if swung by rugged good-looks and a beard. After one MIB is downed he falls over and his black wayfarers fall off revealing huge alien type eyes, which would have been clearly visible regardless of what type of sunglasses he was wearing. As it turns out all MIB are alien/human hybrids. Eventually the MIB are driven back and the family escapes, though they are doomed to walk the earth in terror knowing that any Chevy celebrity might be the end of them all. The movie is terrible, but luckily this kind of cinematic folly lends beautiful, unintentional golden humor to this film. Every positive and amusing thing about the film is entirely accidental, as its formulaic and predictable flow is really pathetic. If the film was even a bit more craftily written or the actors tried a little harder it would have been devoid of redeeming qualities. Luckily Justin Stanley and Eric Miller the writers are seriously inept, yet their blunder has inadvertently created a wonder. If you are amused by really bad cinema, or enjoy lifetime made for TV movies, I would highly recommend this film.
It's not THAT bad...
Schlub28 October 1998
It's not THAT bad...
Sure, the photography is flat (considering the DP also shot TWIN PEAKS), uneven performances, rotten editing, bad direction... but let's give the writers their due. They tried to come up with a storyline about the original urban legend of the Men in Black. Characters are well drawn, and it's not the dialogue that's bad, some of it is quite good, it's just the flat, uninspired way the performances are directed. Some stuff is obviously shoe-horned in there, all that ridiculous action stuff, and it's not a good fit... not to mention that protracted alien abduction scene. I've caught the movie a couple of times late night on HBO (not by choice mind you, just works out that way), and if you step back, and look at the story and the writing, you can see that they were going for something a few notches above the standard sci-fi outing. Performances: C+, Direction: D-, Writing: B
Sure, the photography is flat (considering the DP also shot TWIN PEAKS), uneven performances, rotten editing, bad direction... but let's give the writers their due. They tried to come up with a storyline about the original urban legend of the Men in Black. Characters are well drawn, and it's not the dialogue that's bad, some of it is quite good, it's just the flat, uninspired way the performances are directed. Some stuff is obviously shoe-horned in there, all that ridiculous action stuff, and it's not a good fit... not to mention that protracted alien abduction scene. I've caught the movie a couple of times late night on HBO (not by choice mind you, just works out that way), and if you step back, and look at the story and the writing, you can see that they were going for something a few notches above the standard sci-fi outing. Performances: C+, Direction: D-, Writing: B
Shows who really are the MIBs
quikov28 July 2014
This film, although it is full of movie clichés ufology, is only dealing with the theme "MIBs" with the seriousness it is due. Skeptics to be excused, but those who study ufology know there many reports in the world about the presence of these mysterious beings in lives of those who had contact with aliens. The film makes a useful counterpoint MIB series of movies (Men in Black I, II and III success box office in theaters) where they are treated as the "good guys" of history. Coincidence or not the film that treats them as villains had little or no visibility, even having been released in the same year first MIB Will Smith.
Interesting Missed Opportunity
dprovine1 May 2000
There are some things I watch not expecting them to be good, but because I like to think about the ideas and consider alternate storylines and better alternatives for the characters. Most episodes of "Star Trek: Voyager" are only worth watching because of the discussions and reviews on Usenet.
If you like rewriting stories, this is a good movie to see with a friend. What should the Wilsons have done differently, given that they were abducted? What would have made a better story? (The answer to both is "Lots of things" 8-), which is why the movie is an interesting starting point.)
My major question is why, whenever someone sees a UFO in the movies, that's what they say. They know they sound stupid, and nobody will listen. Why not say "I don't know what it was, but there was a bright light that came up on us from behind, and then disappeared over a hill, and then there was a flash. I thought it was a plane crash, and I know there's an Air Force base nearby, so I reported it. I figured the pilot was just buzzing motorists at night for kicks and lost control."
It's completely believable, and if the good guys investigate and find more, then the bad guys will follow them. If the bad guys investigate and come to your house, they'll think you didn't see anything worth mentioning and leave you alone.
Aral Vorkosigan, in _Mirror Dance_, said "People give themselves to you, in their talking, and in other ways, if you are quiet and patient and let them, and not in such a damn rush to give yourself to *them* you go bat-blind and deaf." Lots of people in movies, such as Mr Wilson in this one, give themselves away to the enemy. People aren't really that dumb, are they? (_Mirror Dance_ is by Lois McMaster Bujold.)
This movie is a bit like "The Phantom Menace" and "Waterworld", in that I left the cinema thinking "What a wasted opportunity." But still, my wife and I were able to have some interesting discussions about the stories, even if defective.
If you like rewriting stories, this is a good movie to see with a friend. What should the Wilsons have done differently, given that they were abducted? What would have made a better story? (The answer to both is "Lots of things" 8-), which is why the movie is an interesting starting point.)
My major question is why, whenever someone sees a UFO in the movies, that's what they say. They know they sound stupid, and nobody will listen. Why not say "I don't know what it was, but there was a bright light that came up on us from behind, and then disappeared over a hill, and then there was a flash. I thought it was a plane crash, and I know there's an Air Force base nearby, so I reported it. I figured the pilot was just buzzing motorists at night for kicks and lost control."
It's completely believable, and if the good guys investigate and find more, then the bad guys will follow them. If the bad guys investigate and come to your house, they'll think you didn't see anything worth mentioning and leave you alone.
Aral Vorkosigan, in _Mirror Dance_, said "People give themselves to you, in their talking, and in other ways, if you are quiet and patient and let them, and not in such a damn rush to give yourself to *them* you go bat-blind and deaf." Lots of people in movies, such as Mr Wilson in this one, give themselves away to the enemy. People aren't really that dumb, are they? (_Mirror Dance_ is by Lois McMaster Bujold.)
This movie is a bit like "The Phantom Menace" and "Waterworld", in that I left the cinema thinking "What a wasted opportunity." But still, my wife and I were able to have some interesting discussions about the stories, even if defective.
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