3 Plot Holes That Still Bother Me

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The 1997 sci-fi comedy “Men In Black” has earned its timeless reputation, although its plot may seem riddled with holes from a logical standpoint. This film introduced us to an exceptional buddy-cop duo in Tommy Lee Jones and Will Smith, unveiled an agency tasked with monitoring alien activity on Earth, and showcased some groundbreaking alien designs. The movie, inspired by a Marvel Comics imprint, skillfully blended action, humor, and imaginative storytelling, making it an instant favorite among viewers. Director Barry Sonnenfeld crafted a world where aliens mingle with us in disguise, keeping humans oblivious to the existence of extraterrestrial dangers. With its stylish visuals, distinctive gadgets (like that iconic memory-erasing device), and catchy dialogues, it’s no surprise the film kickstarted a franchise that remains popular today, although none of the subsequent films quite recaptured the charm of the original.

Despite many fans ranking the first “Men in Black” as superior to its sequels, including “MIB: International,” it’s not flawless. The movie has its share of issues such as unrealistic security measures and murky recruitment criteria that somehow eluded the memory-erasing powers of the neuralyzer. Here are three notable inconsistencies that still bother me more than encountering a colossal cockroach in a human disguise.

The Arquillian Prince’s Laughable Security

In the context of an organization that’s responsible for safeguarding Earth from intergalactic threats, it’s surprising to find that the MIB exhibits relatively little attention towards ensuring the safety of a hidden extraterrestrial monarch residing on our planet. Even when an Arquillian prince assumes a jeweler’s disguise and seeks refuge here, the agency appears to offer only meager protection, despite their awareness of ongoing alien conflicts.

As a devoted admirer, I can’t help but ponder over the intriguing plot twist in this movie. It seems quite astonishing that the Arquillians, with their technology advanced enough to obliterate entire planets at will, would entrust so little protection to their royalty. Given their formidable military might and the strategic importance of hosting them, one would expect MIB to station more than just a single agent for guard duty. Instead, they appear to grant him unrestricted freedom in New York, making him a potential sitting duck for an assassination attempt by the cunning cockroach alien.

This oversight grows all the more ridiculous when you think about the possible repercussions. As Agent K notes following the prince’s demise, the Arquillians are rightfully enraged and poised to destroy Earth in retaliation. The entire third-act conflict could have been averted with simple safety precautions.

The Confusing Recruitment Process

James Edwards’ journey to Agent J encompasses a string of peculiar trials that leave more puzzles than solutions. Following a chase after an alien through the bustling streets of New York, Edwards finds himself undergoing MIB recruitment, which includes a shooting range challenge and a written test at those oval-shaped desks.

In a creative twist, how he moved the desk nearer for the written test showcases unconventional problem-solving. However, the assessment at the shooting range appears to be highly subjective. Instead of targeting the colossal aliens, Edwards opted for “Little Tiffany”, citing a hunch about her questionable actions. Zed maintains an impassive expression throughout Edwards’ explanation, offering no clue as to whether this was the appropriate decision.

In this movie, it remains unclear whether “shooting Little Tiffany” was justified or if the explanation provided was more important in determining a candidate’s suitability as a galaxy defender. The criteria for selection seemed rather uncertain and concerning.

The Flying Saucer Observation Towers Hiding in Plain Sight

The thrilling ending of the movie suggests that the towers at the 1964 World’s Fair location in Flushing Meadows are secretly camouflaged alien spacecraft. Although this scene makes an impressive backdrop for the climactic battle, it seems implausible that such gigantic structures could have been concealed undetected for so long.

Not just simple items, but towering architectural wonders in a New York City park – these are what we’re dealing with. The notion that upkeep workers, architects, engineers, and countless daily visitors didn’t find anything odd about these structures stretches the limits of our belief. Even if Men-in-Black frequently erased memories of maintenance staff, managing to keep such colossal alien technology hidden appears unlikely.

In spite of these puzzling discrepancies, the film Men in Black continues to be cherished as a timeless sci-fi gem due to its captivating protagonists, creative setting, and masterful blend of humor and action. At times, the most engaging movies invite us to overlook their logical loopholes and instead immerse ourselves in the experience—regardless if that experience involves a seemingly ordinary observation tower secretly being an extraterrestrial spaceship.

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2025-04-06 23:11