Body Count

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.

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 * * * * *

Body Count is about a group of guys who attempt to rob an art gallery, but their plan backfires and one of their gang winds up with a broken neck. It stars the likes of David Caruso (better known for his TV roles in CSI: Miami and NYPD Blue), John Leguizamo (Romeo & Juliet, Moulin Rouge) and Forrest Whitaker (Panic Room, Phone Booth). It has a very unoriginal plot, is obviously heavily influenced by Reservoir Dogs (which is so great, that you wonder why people would even bother try to copy it), and the fact that it stars David Caruso who is notorious for his failure with trying to do decent movies, indicate that it is NOT very good. However, despite it unoriginality and choice of lead, Body Count is deserving of a look in. It has garnered a lot of bad reviews, but it is actually rather entertaining. I came across it when it came on the TV one time. At first I thought it was an episode of CSI: Miami, but it soon became apparent that it wasn't when who I thought was Horatio started attacking people. Upon realising it was in fact a movie and not an episode of CSI, I did watch it all the way through and though "Reservoir Dogs rip off" did enter my mind, the movie was entertaining and watchable. Don't bother buy it, but if you see it on video at a friends house, or it comes on the TV sometime, do sit down and watch it. It is pretty good.

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 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.