Body Parts

When I first heard about this movie, I read about the story: Guys gets a killers body-parts, and now "someone" wants them back. Then I studied the cast: the main character was played by Jeff Fahey (who I knew from "The Lawnmower Man" and "Silverado"), and then I saw Brad Dourif (from the "Child's Play"-movies amongst other spooky flicks, like "Alien 4" and "Nightwatch" ). I thought that it would be watchable only because they were in it, but it actually had a quite interesting story, which raised a couple of questions, such as the mysterious nature of body-part-transplanting, and how bad it could go!

I think there was some spectacular stunts in this movie, and many original ideas (especially when Fahey gets in a driving vehicle!), and it never really stops being exciting! - The final scenes are pretty gross, but generally I thought that the movie was okay! My rating is 7/10

An outlandish conclusion mars this otherwise decent little early '90s thriller. Jeff Fahey, he of "Lawnmower Man" fame, stars as Bill Chrushank, a shrink who tragically loses his arm in a brutal car wreck. But through the miracle of science, and with the consent of his wife, Chrushank is given a second chance at an able-bodied life via a groundbreaking transplant. All seems well until the limb, formerly belonging to a murderous death row inmate, seems to take on a life of its own. Is the killer living more than vicariously through Chrushank, or is it all in his head?

One of the biggest complaints the big-name critics had with this one was that the story is all too familiar (i.e. "Hands of Orlac"). Yet a borrowed story is no reason to automatically dismiss a picture. Look at how many cop pictures and romantic comedies steal elements from their predecessors. So yes, this basic tale has been told before, but director Eric Red (I've never heard of him, either) makes it all work pretty good. Until, that is, the aforementioned climax rears its ugly head. It's then that Chrushank discovers the sinister origins of his surgery. I won't give it away, but let's just say there are plenty of four-letter words to describe it: lame, poor, nuts, crap. This film just could have been so great with a great finale.

Body Parts wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. It turned out to be pretty entertaining and had a few moments that made me jump out of my seat. I believe the director, Eric Red, will one day be a more popular film-maker. He does a good job and creates some genuine tension.

Psychologist Bill (Jeff Fahey) interviews a convicted killer and goes home to his wife Karen (Kim Delaney) discussing his wants and desires. The next day while in traffic, a tire breaks off a car's axle and Bill immediately stops his car to avoid the accident. Unfortunately, the truck ignores the ensuing chaos and crashes into Bill's bumper. Bill crashes through the rear window. At the hospital, Dr. Agatha Webb (Lindsay Duncan) gives Bill an arm transplantation. Everything seems to be going fine during rehabilitation until Bill suffers hallucinations.

Jeff Fahey carries "Body Parts" all the way to the inane finale. The first act meanders, the second act is okay, but the third act is completely off-the-rails. Impressive stunt work, creative murders, and an insane car chase await the unexpected viewer.

Corny dialogue plagues the screen. Suspension of disbelief would be an understatement for this film. Essentially, "Body Parts" rips off "The Hands of Orlac."

This is what happens when the two best movie genres in the world meet each other and have passionate sex. It's SCI-FI mixed in with sick old fashioned HORROR. It's the most beautiful mix ever and it was done in this ERIC RED masterpiece. All the best aspects for a good horror/sci-fi were perfectly aligned for this one. An outstanding lead actor, JEFF FAHEY (The Lawnmower Man), a great movie maker, ERIC RED, and a good book, "CHOICE CUTS" from BOILEAU-NARCEJAC. It's starts off good, then it gets better, but it doesn't stop there. It becomes eerie, then sick, then crazy, and all of a sudden you end up watching a violent twisted ending. Once you get passed the "yeah right" idea of the body grafting, you're in and hooked. You cannot expect CGI, or witty modern dialogue, due to the fact that it was made in 1991 just before the big change between good old-fashioned bloody gore and the new commercial stuff you see today. You will, at the very least, be moved by the fact that you saw it and can make a constructive criticism yourself without outside judgment. It was missed by the popular audience but will always be remembered by HORROR fanatics everywhere. It's a definite keeper.