Noyce expertly builds palpable tension around a series of gruesome murders that lead us into the darkest nooks of New York City. Now a bedridden quadriplegic prone to life-threatening seizures and suicidal depression, forensics detective Lincoln Rhyme (Denzel Washington) gets a new lease on life with a sharp young beat cop (Angelina Jolie) who's a wizard at analyzing crime scenes. She does field work while he deciphers clues from his high-tech Manhattan loft, and as they narrow the search their lives are increasingly endangered. As this formulaic plot grows moldy, Noyce resorts to narrative shortcuts, using perfunctory scenes to manipulate the viewer and taking morbid pleasure in his revelation of the murder scenes. And yet it all works, to a point, and the cast (including Queen Latifah and Luiz Guzmán) is much better than the material. If you're looking for a few good thrills, The Bone Collector is a pretty safe bet. --Jeff Shannon

If you have, do not, I repeat, do not plan to enjoy the movie. I've no problem with the scripting changes necessitated when films are made from great books (although they usually don't work!)....but in this case, a truly unique first appearance of Lincoln Rhyme, a quadriplegic forensic specialist, is spoiled by some deliberate and wasted alterations of the characters and the plot.

The changes? Rhyme's nurse in the novel was a cynic, gay harpy...the perfect person to try to control Rhyme. In the movie, a big-hearted, dedicated career nurse is played by Queen Latifah. Why? The ending of the film was completely changed by the scriptwriters, and I urge you to read the novel to see the shocking conclusion that played so much better than the film ended.

I blame Noyce, the director, for the script annihilation, the "too dark" filming sequences outside of Rhyme's apartment, and the waste of a pretty cohesive cast.

I'm giving 3 stars instead of less because the cast does a fine job, and the sets are outstanding. Angelina Jolie may not have been excellent here, in Amelia's first appearance, but you can believe that she would be perfect for the part if filmakers chose to continue the Rhyme theme and film some of the later, greater novels. Supporting players are all strong, and Denzel is outstanding as Lincoln Rhyme, with his electronic life-giving toys, his attitude, and his willingness to give up life as every seizure (well played!) rocks his world. The chemistry between Jolie & Washington is strong and well-played, and, had the film been shot a little differently and been more of a success, Washington might have had the continuous role as Rhyme that Harrison Ford keeps winning in films...oh, well.

Read the novel, but then don't watch the DVD!!!!


One of the best   August 28, 2001
Ryanst (Southern Calif.)
11 out of 12 found this review helpful

I read over some of the other reviews putting this movie at an "average" rating, but I kinda disagree. First off, I think the director and producer put this movie together perfectly. In case you do not know about this movie, Ill start off by describing it a bit... The main theme lies in the thriller/mystery department, so if you like these kind of films, you will most definitely like this movie. The two main charactors in the movie are Denzel Washington and Angelina Jolie. Denzel plays a disabled Crime Scene Investigator and Angelina plays a rookie police officer who laters finds out her talent as a crime scene investigator. The setting of the story takes place in New York City (which is a perfect spot for this type of movie) and is cast in modern day life. Basically, the plot of the movie is about a phsyco murderer who, very strategically, plans killings by using his job as a taxi cab driver to kidnapp people. I dont want to get too in depth, but the good guys would be Denzel and Angelina and a few other police bureau workers who try to solve the mystery behind all the kidnappings and hopefully get to the crime scene in time to save innocent people. You might have preconcieved notions about this movie being kind of average, but what makes this movie stand out is its outstanding film features. By features I mean, great music and excellent effects (everything such as lighting, settings etc). If your going to watch it, here are some VERY recommended suggestions...

1. Make sure its dark- 50% of the movies general "effect" comes from the ambience in which you watch it. 2. Watch on a fairly large television with a fairly good sound system. - try to get the best TV and sound system to watch the movie otherwise dont even bother with the movie. 3. Must get it on DVD! - Dont watch the VHS version, I saw it and its horrible. Film quality is bad and it doesnt include all the extras which tell about the Bone collector. Sound is also improved on DVD version. Any way you look at it, you need to give the Bone Collector a try. Great movie for all.


Saw off her hands?!?!?   February 7, 2001
James J. Hastings (Malverne, New York USA)
8 out of 9 found this review helpful

I love the movies. And I can pretty much suspend my disbelief for anything. But when a poorly scripted movie like THE BONE COLLECTOR tells me that a female cop walking the beat is going to be pulled from her position -- because she took some pictures of a crime scene with a disposable camera which are supposed to be phenomenal shots -- and made an instant crime scene investigator ... COME ON! Top that off with the fact that Lincoln Rhymes keeps making her go into these blackened areas where a killer may or may not be without any backup.... And top it all off when he tells her he doesn't want forensics to mess up the crime scene and he needs the handcuffs that are on the dead victim, "I need those cuffs. Saw off her hands."

WHAT?!? That my friends is messing up the crime scene. Since when is a beat cop better at that job than professionals who have trained for years at it?

What a waste of talented actors.

If you want to see the BEST serial killer movie, rent SE7EN.


MOVIE ENTERTAINING AND SUSPENSEFUL.,   January 4, 2005
Debra A. Jean (New Hampshire, USA)
5 out of 5 found this review helpful

It's unfortunate that both Jonathan and Victor didn't care for the film. I found the storyline to be very suspenseful right to the end. I thought Denzel did a great job in the film and he and Anjolina Jolie worked well together. The film did what it was intending to which was to entertain. Sure any film made could always have had a better ending or a better plot, but it's pure entertainment. And on that level, it was a good movie which I would highly recommend.
People need to lighten up on their criticisms