Belly – Review

What do you get when you cross one of the hottest hip-hop music video directors with a crime tale script? A sleekly shot thriller with an okay story, and passable acting from hip-hops biggest stars of the time. Is Belly worth your time? That depends on what you are going in for.

As childhood friends Sincere (Nas) and Tommy (DMX) pull of heists for cash they struggle to keep their extravagant lifestyles afloat and look to add some income streams as a new drug hits the streets. Bumping shoulders with Jamaican dealers and rival gangsters, Sincere and Tommy build a crew to start a larger drug trafficking organization.

While Sincere and Tommy push west they team up with Shameek (Method Man) to tap new markets. Unfortunately, this gets the attention of local hood Rico (Turner). With new crew members and hordes of drugs and money flying around, it brings jealousy, infighting, and most importantly heat to the crew.

Bullets start flying and the men must all look to what remains most important to them, is it the streets and the money, or staying alive to find salvation and love?

People will be divided over the acting and the somewhat choppy story, but honestly for me this movie is really not that bad and has a few solid actor portrayals of the criminal characters contained in the film.

Is Belly an all-time classic? Nope. But it does deserve a look if you are into urban crime tales, or generally a fan of hip-hop. Visually the film is a treat, as Belly is oozing in Williams’ signature style with snazzy lighting and sleek shots. The soundtrack also still slaps. RIP DMX.