Bone Collector, The MPAA Rating: R Entertainment: +3 Content: -2 1/2

Forensic expert Lincoln Rhymes (Denzel Washington) is a legend in the New York Police Department. His books on crime-scene evidence are required reading at the academy. But four years ago, an accident confined him to bed as a quadriplegic, unable to move more than a finger and his head. Rookie Amelia Donaghy (Angelina Jolie), waiting for a transfer from patrol to juvenile services, gets a call that leads to the bizarre discovery of a dead mans hand sticking out of the ground with one finger scraped to the bone. Her instinctive preserving of the crime scene attracts the attention of Rhymes, who recruits her to be his eyes and legs as they search for a serial killer before he claims another victim. The excellent acting and suspenseful plot keeps audiences guessing with Rhymes and Donaghy as they try to solve this engrossing, gruesome mystery.

In a somewhat unique turn, the hero of this detective story is confined to bed. But he keeps a positive attitude about his life. There is a discussion with a doctor about arranging an assisted suicide. Rhymes fears seizures related to his injuries will one day leave him a vegetable. Two seizures are shown on camera. However, more graphic scenes relate to the serial murders. Grotesque bodies are shown after gruesome deaths, such as a woman scalded by a giant steam pipe, or a man eaten by rats. Pictures of other deaths show equally graphic injuries. Donaghy lives with a man and a sexual relation is implied, but nothing is shown. The relationship apparently ends before she starts work with Rhymes. Aside from the graphic injuries, the major disappointment is the volume of objectionable language. 24 obscenities, 13 regular profanities and 11 moderate crudities spoil the dialogue. In spite of his limitations, Rhymes demonstrates courage, intelligence and understanding as he deals with co-workers, clues and a killer. Unfortunately, foul language and graphic, gruesome images detract from an otherwise enjoyable story.

Preview Reviewer: Paul Bicking
Distributor: Universal Pictures, 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, CA 91608