Reviewer's Rating 5 out of 5
Men in Black - Limited Edition DVD (1997)

This DVD release of "Men in Black" is rather like one of those steak-houses you go to where you're offered the challenge of eating half a cow. Not only are all the features of the "Collector's Edition" on this, but also an array of extras so vast that this release comes in a two-disc set. We'll give you a little taste of what to expect here but this DVD is definitely better played with than read about!

Scene Editing Workshop

According to Columbia Tristar this is a world first DVD feature. It's certainly the best extra yet. First you can sit through a short intro by Barry Sonnenfeld as he throws down the gauntlet to re-edit the available scenes better than he does. After he advises that "You'll realise that every single thing I did was perfect", there really is no stopping you. Three scenes are available to edit including "J's tryout for the MiB". Having put together a natty new interpretation using the eight angles available, imagine the disappointment when you realise that Barry is in fact totally right. This might just be fun to some people but for a film reviewer it just proves that you should stick to what you know best - sniping from the sidelines.

Production Photo Gallery

Looking at photos on DVDs is normally boring beyond belief. Given that this release has over a thousand mind-numbing images, that's a potential headache. But the galleries on this disc are split into three sections: "Production Photo Gallery", "Make-up & Puppet Team", and "On Set With the Talent". And rather than this just being an assortment of random images, this is a carefully put-together breakdown of all the various teams working on crafting the film. Far from boring it makes you realise the incredible effort put into making this film.

There's still more!

Oh Yeah. Even more added features come with this disc and they're all listed below but why read about it? Go try it for yourself!

Sound: Dolby Digital 5.1

Extra Features:

  • Scene selection
  • Commentary by Barry Sonnenfeld & Tommy Lee Jones
  • Multi-angle character animation studio
  • Multi-angle tunnel scene deconstruction
  • Extended & alternate scenes
  • 3 photo/art galleries
  • Storyboard comparisons
  • Original featurette
  • New documentary
  • Music video
  • 3 trailers
  • Weblinks
  • Animated menus
  • Widescreen or fullscreen choice
  • Unique scene editing workshop
  • Additional 1000 production images
  • Edgar Bug layered deconstruction scene
  • Technical commentaries
  • Multiple languages & subtitles

End Credits

Director: Barry Sonnenfeld

Writer: Ed Solomon

Stars: Tommy Lee Jones, Will Smith, Linda Fiorentino, Vincent D'Onofrio, Rip Torn

Genre: Science Fiction

Length: 94 minutes

Original: 1997

DVD: 04 September 2000

Country: USA