Review

Men in Black

Common Sense Media says

Lots of fun, but too scary for some kids.
Age
12
Quality
 
  • 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 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"). 

This review of Men in Black was written by
Age
12
Based on 18 parent & educator reviews:
  • 33% say violence is an issue
  • 33% say language is an issue
Read the reviews

Most useful reviews by all members

Parent
March 15, 2010
10
OK for kids & up
 
Men in Black
Awesome and funny alien movie. Kids will love it.
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Helped me decide (62) | Had useful details (78) | Read my mind (60)
Kid, 12 years old
June 26, 2010
11
Pause for kids & under
 
mainly 11+
there are a is a bit of swearing in this movie
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Helped me decide (63) | Had useful details (50) | Read my mind (65)
Adult
April 9, 2008
0
Pause for kids & under
 
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Helped me decide (58) | Had useful details (51) | Read my mind (64)
Teen, 14 years old
February 15, 2011
14
OK for kids & up
 
Suggested MPAA Rating: PG-13 for language, sexual humor, and gory sci-fi violence.
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Helped me decide (59) | Had useful details (57) | Read my mind (54)
Kid, 12 years old
June 12, 2009
11
Pause for kids & under
 
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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Helped me decide (48) | Had useful details (55) | Read my mind (60)
Kid, 11 years old
January 31, 2011
10
OK for kids & up
 
Good for most tweens!
Very funny movie, lots of cussing, some violent scenes but violence is unrealistic
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Helped me decide (60) | Had useful details (47) | Read my mind (55)
Kid, 8 years old
June 22, 2010
7
OK for kids & up
 
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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Helped me decide (50) | Had useful details (51) | Read my mind (57)
Kid, 10 years old
December 31, 2010
10
OK for kids & up
 
too many swear words
i dont care what anybody says this film is soo funny. great acting by will smith
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Helped me decide (53) | Had useful details (50) | Read my mind (51)
Adult
July 21, 2010
13
OK for kids & up
 
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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Helped me decide (53) | Had useful details (47) | Read my mind (47)
Kid, 10 years old
December 30, 2009
12
OK for kids & up
 
great funny to.
love it funny to.
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Helped me decide (47) | Had useful details (47) | Read my mind (47)
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