Men in Black

Tommy Lee Jones is a mysterious government agent up to his Raybans in an alien plot to destroy the world, and NYPD detective Will Smith is his apprentice sidekick still learning how to spot extraterrestrials in this comic book come to life. Vincent D'Onofrio (not an actor normally known for his comic side) is hilarious as a space bug hiding out in an ill-fitting human skin (wait till you see him readjust his outfit). Director Barry Sonnenfeld brings a sense of whimsy to the comic script, balancing farce with big-budget action and somehow making it all work. It's modest, lighthearted, clever and refreshingly short at under 100 minutes, and now it gets the Blu-ray treatment.

All the previous DVD supplements are here and accessible through the Blu-ray pop-up menus (so you can switch between them while the film is running). Jones joins director Sonnenfeld for one commentary and keeps it humming along with questions and good humor while the director delivers production stories and technical explanations, and Sonnenfeld is joined by the effects crew on the second track. Choose the "Enhanced Telestrator" function to see their silhouettes (a la "Mystery Science Theater 3000") and video-wand graphics highlight the image like a TV sports replay. Also features the documentary "Metamorphosis of Men in Black," deconstructions of two special effects scenes through five stages of production (you can toggle between them or play them through one after another, with or without commentary), an interactive "Editing Workshop" that allows the viewer (with major restrictions) to rework three short scenes, extended and alternate scenes, galleries with conceptual art and stills, storyboard comparisons and a Smith music video. The new supplements designed for the Blu-ray edition are pretty minor time-killers: the interactive "Ask Frank the Pug!" (sort of a digital Magic 8-Ball with a talking dog telling bad jokes), an alien subtitle track (that'll come in handy for guests from way out of town) and a multiplayer trivia game for machines with BD Live capabilities.