What’s It About
When the skeletal remains of 11 women & girls are discovered in the New Mexico desert, an extensive investigation is launched. Inspired by true crime stories, this chilling crime-thriller follows Police Chief Carter (Curtis ’50 Cent’ Jackson), Detective Ortega (Brian Van Holt), and Agent Petrovick (Mel Gibson) in a multi-agency effort to identify and apprehend the killer. As each of their agendas and methods clash, a tangled web of intrigue casts suspicion in all directions.
MOVIESinMO REVIEW
Transforming a real-life serial killer case into a medley of clichés and contrivances, this unoriginal thriller struggles to muster any real suspense or sympathy for its characters, whether alive or deceased. Set in New Mexico, the storyline tracks an inquiry into female bodies unearthed across the desert. Detective Ortega (Brian Van Holt) suspects corruption within the police department, while eccentric FBI Agent Petrovick (Mel Gibson) hints at a connection to a local prostitution ring. Chief Carter (Curtis ’50 Cent’ Jackson) tries to intervene. Despite Gibson’s welcome presence, nonchalantly refusing to take the film’s absurdity seriously, the movie lacks subtlety and surprise. The narrative becomes personal for Ortega when his niece, Selena (Gabrielle Haugh), goes missing and may be one of the victims. Screenwriters Asif Akbar, Vincent E. McDaniel, Hank Byrd, and Koji Steven Sakai fail to breathe life into the actual story’s potential, resulting in a feeble, laborious screenplay. “Boneyard” aims to be a gripping crime thriller like ‘Saw,’ ‘The Usual Suspects’ or ‘Gone Girl,’ but falls significantly short. The characters are underdeveloped, the dialogue is flat, and Petrovick’s intermittent voice-over narration is jarring and clumsy. The plot thickens when skeletal remains are unearthed by a local woman, triggering the excavation of a ‘boneyard.’ Accompanied by his partner Young (Nora Zehetner) and Chief Carter, Ortega seeks assistance from FBI profiler Pete (Gibson). Ortega’s investigation becomes increasingly personal as he frets over his missing niece, Selena. Pete is deeply invested in cracking the case, and the team identifies two primary suspects: Caesar (Weston Cage), a local lunatic, and Tate (Michael Sirow), a crooked cop. The inquiry is complicated by numerous suspects and misleading clues, including Sgt. Graham (Vincent E. McDaniel), who comes under police scrutiny. “Boneyard” opens with Pete’s arrival in Albuquerque, dressed like a Jimmy Buffet fan and yearning for a nap and a drink. Pete’s narration infuses a detective fiction vibe, although it often feels inelegant. While Gibson’s performance is in ‘paycheck mode,’ he injects some vigor into the film with sporadic bits of chewy dialogue. Ortega’s quest for answers about Selena’s disappearance propels him to deviate from standard law enforcement duties, adding depth to his character’s anguish and torment. The film endeavors to build tension but gets bogged down by talkative scenes and a plodding pace. The cast delivers uninspired performances, failing to elevate the movie’s suspense or horror elements. The portrayal of the mass grave underscores the dire situation. Still, the director’s insistence on graphic violence detracts from the film’s intended respectful tone. “Boneyard” culminates in an unsatisfactory conclusion, offering no resolution and setting up for a sequel that promises more of the same. Ultimately, it’s an uneventful chase to nothingness, leaving viewers unfulfilled and disconnected from the story’s emotional core.
OUR RATING – AN ABYSMAL 2
MEDIA
- Genre – Action
- Street date
- Digital – July 2, 2024
- Blu-Ray – August 13, 2024
- Video – 1080p
- Screen size – 2.39:1
- Sound – English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
- Subtitles – English SDH, Spanish
Extras
- none