The Bone Collector

⭐ 4.0/10

(Originally written by Zach)

The Bone Collector is a less than thrilling 90's crime thriller. Lots of ominous strings and dark subterranean crime scenes are the classic tropes in this one. Unlike movies where we only see from the police's perspective, Bone Collector also gives the audience a look at what the killer is up to while the cops try to figure it out.

But look, let's get right down to why this movie is worth seeing, a serial killer is on the loose in New York City and muthafuckin Denzel Washington is on the case! Except! He's a quadriplegic! For real, this guy lays in a bed and solves some mysterious mysteries, serial killer type Mensa puzzles, and gives a young cop a big dose of support to get through a personal tragedy. What can't this guy do?

I'm telling you, he goes toe to toe, so to speak, with the actual killer and doesn't even do that bad. And he's a quadriplegic!

Angelina Jolie is the real star of the movie, bringing big emotion to her role. She's a believable tough New Yorker become street cop and she grows throughout the film.

To tell you the truth, I found the whole story to be rather flat and there were some really odd elements, not the least of which was how an off-duty, now paralyzed, former cop could commandeer an unit and set up his apartment as a police hub.

Other notable talent in the movie includes Queen Latifah, Ed O'Neill, Luis Guzman, and Michael Rooker who I had only ever seen in Guardians of the Galaxy. He plays a convincing prick in this movie as well.

I do love a movie with a good sense of place and there are some neat aspects of New York City history that are touched on in The Bone Collector as well as some interesting visuals showing off older parts of NYC. One shot that stands out includes the Twin Towers.

The Bone Collector is based off of a book and has since been made into a series. I haven't read or seen either of those, and probably won't. Really, you could skip this movie.