Body Count, les braqueurs

Some films just don't have good advertising. This one could've been a success - if anyone outside the festival circle would've been aware it even existed. BODY COUNT has a great cast, some nice twists, and generally a zany, well-paced script. It's a matured RESERVOIR DOGS, with less pop-cultural chit-chat and more substance to the plot. Check it out, you might be positively surprised.

Four thieves find themselves on the run after their leader, "Crane" (Forest Whitaker) is shot and killed during an art museum robbery. The problem for them is that one of their members named "Chino" (John Leguizamo) is an extremely loose cannon who is easily provoked by one of the other members by the name of "Hobbs" (David Caruso). As a result the de facto leader, "Pike" (Ving Rhames) has his hands full just trying to get to Miami in order to sell the stolen paintings so that they can each go their separate ways. However, along the way they pick up a woman named "Natalie" (Linda Fiorentino) who causes even more trouble. Now, while this film is billed as a "comedy" I found it to be more of a "crime-drama" than anything else. Even so, it was an interesting film which should keep most viewers guessing from start to finish. Likewise, even though I couldn't stand the character played by John Leguizamo I must admit that he did an excellent job all the same. I also liked the performances of Ving Rhames, David Caruso and Linda Fiorentino as well. All things considered then, I rate this movie as slightly above average.

The film was awful. The dialogue, speech and Plot, were far below the star cast. Hey Robert Patton-Spruill! if you read this, Try a new concept. Both this and 'Squeeze' were bad examples of your work! How about getting on-board a new D.O.P?

The overall idea for this movie was not bad but the actual movie itself is very bad. What these great actors saw in the script is beyond me.

Following his release from prison, Pike (Ving Rhames) teams up with Crane (Forest Whitaker), an old partner in crime, along with Hobbs (David Caruso), Booker (Donnie Wahlberg, Chino (John Leguizamo)to set up an art theft from a museum. Chino's greed during the heist causes it to go awry resulting in Crane's death and a narrow escape with the stolen items. Only Crane and Pike knew the fence to whom the stolen items were to be fenced for $15M. The balance of the movie consists of the remaining four partners attempting to transport the items to Miami to the fence, via car, with attempts to take a bus, and a train which don't pan out due to various personality conflicts among the thieves and results in one partner killing another who winds up in the trunk of the car.

While en route, the now-threesome picks up Natalie (Linda Fiorentino) who adds another point of conflict among the thieves. The heist itself is shown in flashbacks during the trip. There is definately violence in the movie resulting from the conflicts among the thieves and Natalie. I found the movie to be engrossing throughout with interest in the interaction between the thieves; edgy, violent, keeps you guessing, a good ending, and good performances by all. * * * 1/2 out of * * * * *