quikov 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.

merklekranz 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

mattkratz 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 ****

dprovine 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.