Screenwriter Help: Men in Black (1997) Deconstructed

From our deconstruction of hundreds of Hollywood blockbusters....

The Hero's Journey is the template upon which the vast majority of successful stories and Hollywood blockbusters are based upon. In fact, ALL of the Hollywood movies we have deconstructed are based on this template.

Understanding this template is a priority for story or screenwriters.

The Hero's Journey:

a) Attempts to tap into unconscious expectations the audience has regarding what a story is and how it should be told.

b) Gives the writer more structural elements than simply three or four acts, plot points, mid point and so on.

c) Interpreted metaphorically, laterally and symbolically, allows an infinite number of varied stories to be created.

and more...

Sample Movie Deconstructed: Men in Black (1997)

FADE IN: Alien dragonfly arrives.

Meeting the Mentor in his Ordinary World: Agent Kay identifies the only alien from the line of illegals.

Magical Gift: Neuralizer.

Call to Adventure: Kay's partner retires.

Meeting the Hero and his capabilities: James Edwards/Agent J (Jay)/"Slick" is LA PD and chases down an alien.

Foreshadow of the Journey: you don't understand, your world is going to end.

Meeting the Antagonist: the alien arrives and takes over the farmer's body; needs sugar.

Meeting the Romantic Challenge: Dr. Laurel Weaver/Agent L (Elle) appears.

Pulled to the First Threshold by the Mentor: Kay talks to Jay; "..come on, lets take a ride