Search

» » Body Count (1998)

Short summary

A group of thieves attempt to rob an art gallery, but when plans backfire and one of the men winds up dead, the group head down south, running afoul of the law. Along the way, they meet up with a seductive con artist with ideas of her own.

David Caruso and Linda Fiorentino reunite after Jade (1995) from Paramount Pictures and William Friedkin.

User reviews


  • comment
    • Author: Eigonn
    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.
  • comment
    • Author: Xar
    "Body Count" copies "Reservoir Dogs" so closely that it's a wonder Tarantino didn't sue its makers (or maybe he was simply flattered). The plot (concerning the aftermath of a daring art museum heist, which we only see in flashbacks), the irrelevant/"philosophical" dialogue, the violent, constantly sparring partners-in-crime....NOTHING is fresh in this movie, everything feels forced, tired and second-hand. The characters are extraordinarily stupid; they are supposed to be these big-shot criminals but they behave in the most unprofessional manner possible, doing everything they can to screw up their own plans. Still, the film is not unwatchable; John Lequizamo does a good job of playing a complete sleazebag, and there are a couple of twists at the end. As for the rest of the cast, Ving Rhames keeps his dignity but the great Forest Whitaker is wasted and David Caruso and (especially) Linda Fiorentino are awful. (**)
  • comment
    • Author: Ahieones
    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.
  • comment
    • Author: Tolrajas
    I had delayed seeing this movie because of all the bad reviews and comments it received but I thought it wasn't THAT bad after all ... I mean I picked it up basically because I had seen everything else so I thought ... why not this one ... especially since it was in the "Nobody wants to see this,

    right ??" section of the video store ...

    I have to say that despite some goofy dialogues ... scenes ... acting ... script ... I was actually "entertained" enough to recommend it ... Some nice twists and turns along the way as those awful people just can't BEHAVE !!... I mean it would be sooooo easy to just shut up and drive all the way to wherever there going ... (was it Florida, not sure ?? But the story doesn't appear to be so important here !! ) ... you don't make a movie with that .. do you ?? hehe !!

    I was surprised that with all the recognizable faces in the cast this movie slipped through the cracks ... marginal recommendation ... too bad the last third is kind of a let down ... but before that I thought this movie was actually pretty "intriguing" .. especially if you like movies like Fargo, Reservoir dogs and Pulp Fiction (Although Body count is really faaaaaaar from being as good as those three !!) ...

    All those movies just have similar styles ... gruesome violence and sometimes amusing dialogues ... 3/5 and I am pleased considering I was fearing it would be a turkey when I popped it in the VCR ...
  • comment
    • Author: Amarin
    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 * * * * *
  • comment
    • Author: Malarad
    It was good. Not as good that I would pay to see it again, but I enjoyed it. I mean it´s a low-budget film with great actors (Leguizamo f ex) and I liked the ending... I didn´t expect it. And I´m very good at that. And usually when I haven´t expected it, it´s bad. But this one was good...
  • comment
    • Author: Dogrel
    This film is very exciting to watch. It's about four art thieves heading down to Miami to make a pay off of art paintings that they have stolen. Not much action but, the suspense, drama and the characters are great and the acting was very well done by all. The flashbacks in this film was a great way to illustrate the whole story. This film was very unpredictable and it leaves you wondering, what will happen next?
  • comment
    • Author: Hatе&love
    This is one of those films in which you enjoy every situation feeling that all what you see can happen in real life. While I was watching the movie, one title came to my mind: Fargo. There's a lot of similarities between both films, but with one difference: Fargo is really based on a true story!. The 'Godfather II-type' flashbacks are really fantastic. They're an original way to keep you interested the whole time, and they're also a perfect choice to add an original style to the story development. For example, they make it possible to start the film with the final scenes of the robbery and let you discover the whole story in a retrospective way. This film has many more good things: multi-dimensional and charismatic characters, an acceptable music, and a very good sound. I can't believe there are people who dislike this film. My rating: 7-8 out of 10.
  • comment
    • Author: Ishnsius
    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.
  • comment
    • Author: Huston
    You cannot combine all of these talented Actors without generating something of interest. Therein lies the appeal of this derivative Heist Yarn. Just watching the Players interact with abandon and dumb-as-dirt behavior is enough to make this worth a watch.

    Low-Life Criminals do tend to behave like, well, Low-Life-Criminals. It was Timothy McVEigh who was initially pulled over with a broken tail-light, as have so many others with impaired intelligence, on the lam.

    This one has just enough Violence, Low-Brow Charm, and twists that makes this just slightly above average. Also, this is one of the reasons that Femme Fatales so often can take these types for a ride. Their tendency to think with the little head and not the big head is painfully evident here, that was probably, or hopefully, the point of the FF Parody.
  • comment
    • Author: Jake
    The Split is a surprisingly interesting thriller. It has a great plot, unique characters and terrific dialogues. Although entertaining, the film has extremely violent and shocking scenes (like in the one in which Leguizamo destroys Caruso's character), but that was necessary, in order to show the brutality and cruelty of every one of the main characters. Ving Rhames, who was great in Don King, has a small, but memorable role, and Leguizamo gives the movie's outstanding performance, it's sad to see this actor, who has great dramatic capacity, making bad comedies, but in The Split, he had the chance to deliver his very best.Caruso comes out well, but the trailer of the film passes the idea that he is the leading actor on the film, but he isn't, he has just a supporting, although good, part. Finally, I recommend this thriller.
  • comment
    • Author: Risa
    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?
  • comment
    • Author: Darkraven
    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.
  • comment
    • Author: Questanthr
    I enjoyed this movie because it was unpredictable, Fiorentino was stupid and unconvincing but Rhames and Whittaker pulled talent and credibility out of their pockets like there was no tomorrow.

    The supporting cast were okay even John Leguizamo was over the top, but the end was incredulous as Fiorentino kicked Rhames outta the car, typical of a hustler, a grifter, but her plan backfires when 100 yards down the road she is stopped by the cops who have the car on their radar and Rhames walking away finds the loot stashed in the jacket pocket.

    He has the last laugh!! GOOD...
  • comment
    • Author: EROROHALO
    The scene near the end of the movie at the small country store/gas station was filmed in the small community where I live. The store really sells beer, Tic-Tacs, chips, cigarettes and "Doe in Heat Deer Urine". The two ladies behind the counter, including the one who attacked John Leguizamo with the machete, were professional actors and do not really work there. Though it did not appear in the credits, the producers should thank "The Terrell Bait Shop". The movie is worth a watch on "Showtime".
  • comment
    • Author: Siatanni
    The movie itself is not bad. An art robbery gone wrong, four delinquents on the run to (where else?) Miami. Once they have to be together 24/7 it shows that the main figures have a homicidial tendency towards each other. Especially drug-crazed Chino & driver Hobbs clash more often than not. A good opportunity for David Caruso to show the wide range of his acting talent, which comes here much more to life than as H. Caine in CSI. Was this movies ever shown on the silver screen or did it go straight to video-sales? Unfortunately, some-one in actor-heaven seems to hate Caruso - otherwise it would have been a box-office success after its first showing.
  • comment
    • Author: It's so easy
    Personally I enjoyed this one, it did seem to bear a very close line to Below Utopia which both are aka Body Count, which doesnt render my opinion negative. It is a story of art thieves whose mission has gone slightly awry. They pic up a beautiful hitchiker who is wise to the game. Have to deal with internal strife while trying to make it to the buyer. It like anything else is not for everyone, but one doesnt know if they will like it until they see it.
  • Cast overview, first billed only:
    David Caruso David Caruso - Hobbs
    Linda Fiorentino Linda Fiorentino - Natalie
    John Leguizamo John Leguizamo - Chino
    Ving Rhames Ving Rhames - Pike
    Donnie Wahlberg Donnie Wahlberg - Booker
    Forest Whitaker Forest Whitaker - Crane
    Mick Corrigan Mick Corrigan - Security Officer #1 (as Michael Corrigan)
    Michael Hunter Michael Hunter - Security Officer #2
    Matt Giehl Matt Giehl - Security Officer #3
    Richard Fullerton Richard Fullerton - Officer Forrest
    Deacon Dawson Deacon Dawson - Proprietor
    Rebecca Koon Rebecca Koon - Wife
    Juliet Poe Juliet Poe - Convenience Store Woman #1
    Mary Lucy Bivens Mary Lucy Bivens - Convenience Store Woman #2
    James Spruill James Spruill - Special Agent Bradley
    All rights reserved © 2017-2024 hd.thomson-multimedia.com