Rating: 
Summary: Underrated True Ghetto Epic Masterpiece - By Hype Williams
Review: I have to admit first time I could only watch 10 minutes because of the realistic portrayal of gangsters and the Street life they live. Now last night I decided to give it a chance and watch it all the way through. A half-hour goes by, months go by in the movie it gets darker takes you into the world of DMXs character Tommy the ruthless gangster/drug dealer that thinks he was born to die and money is his only reason for living. Hours go by movie gets darker things all start to fall apart sadly showing what this kind of life will do to you and the people you care for. The last five minutes touched me so much I started crying because of the way it built you up to the climax that is one of the most underrated unappreciated seens that should have been felt throughout Hollywood shouting out this is how movie should end. For you people that have not finish this movie you should telling you the ending will change your feelings about this movie and the way you think about ghetto U.S. and you will see people can always change no matter who you are. Before this review is finished I just must say thank you to Hype Williams for finally making a true ghetto epic that shows how it really is.
Rating: 
Summary: Art imitiating life in a dark mood; better than expected
Review: Like some people, when I first saw this movie on cable I was like, 'Great, another film about drugs and violence in the hood'. But after seeing a few more times, I actually dig this film more than some of the others I've seen. The dark lighting and overall dark mood reflect the dark clouds of sadness, despair and gloom that cover Black America due to poverty, drugs, and violence. Very clever. Besides, anyone that knows anything about real mobsters and gangstas(from any generation) knows that many of them are nightowls anyway. I had a hard time understanding the language(they should have also used captions on X, Nas, and Meth in some scenes), but it added to vibe of the film. Some parts remind me of old school films like Casino, Deep Cover, the Harder they Come, and the Godfather series because of the ruthless, unfeeling nature of the characters. Good film to watch late at night.
Rating: 
Summary: Belly will turn your stomach!
Review: I didn't like this movie one bit. What was Hype Williams thinking? That everybody should grease themselves down in Vaseline and not pay their light bill? And none of those hip-hop stars can act worth a damn. And since this movie was filmed in my neighborhood and was about drug dealers who supposedly live here, I particularly found it to be offensive, because it's nothing like that. It looked like a rap video that lasted too long. Strictly ghetto garbage!
Rating: 
Summary: Visually stimulating & exciting....
Review: You should get this video just for the mere beauty of the cinematography. It is breathtaking and holds your interest because you can't wait to see what else is coming up. What a talent! I like the video-esque style it was shot in because that's what appeals to our generation and younger. It held my attention from beginning to end. As far as the story line, I found it to be very convaluted and difficult to follow in parts. I didn't understand what was going on in a lot of the scenes - which was a disappointment because the movie looks so damn good! But believe it or not, it is entertaining. My favourite parts were with the Jamaican gangster in Kingston - "the original Jamaican Dondada (sp?)". He was boss! So real, too real. I must say, this movie was littered with first-time actors but so many of them did a real good job considering it was their first time and the weak story-line. I really hope that the team that did this movie does another one soon - but they should find a better screen writer.
Rating:
Summary: great direction, poor script
Review: being an aspiring director myself, I decided to check out Hype Williams' Belly. hype opens the film up brilliantly; images that will forever stick in my head. i've seen alot of 'beautifully shot' films ranging from the works of akira kurosawa,sam pekinpah, john woo, oliver stone, to brian depalma among others, and williams surely ranks with these men, at least in directorial efforts. the images are beautiful, each frame carefully shot. there are crane shots, dolly shots, tracking shots, its all there. my only gripe is that there were some scenes that were so dark it was hard to tell who was in it or what was going on. the actual movie is a whole lot weaker than the great visuals that hype gave it. there's way too much going on in the movie; it seems hype wanted alot for his characters to achieve. the characters are underdeveloped and certain characters are introduced, then forgotten. others are just introduced, making us wonder where exactly did they come from. if williams wanted so much out of his story, he should have done a 'godfather trilogy' thing. then he would have let his characters breathe and really live. here, as presented, they just move from scene to scene, situation to situation. there is a message in Belly, it just takes a while to get to it. with a better script, this movie could have been one of the most beautifully shot action/drama to have ever graced the screen. as it stands, its just a great teaching tool. this is a 'must see' for future directors and cinematographers... there are just too many scenes that need to be studied.
Rating:
Summary: ONE OF THE WORST MOVIES i'VE EVER SEEN
Review: Belly was one of the worst movies i've seen in my life. Nas' acting was enough to make me want to turn this thing off after 5 minutes. Its a shame cause this movie looked like it had a lot of potential. I'll give Hype Williams credit as the way the movie was filmed was intriguing. It looked like a long music video. It couldn't save the movie, though. DMX comes off as unbelievable in his role as Tommy, who is supposed to be a soulless, evil as hell type of guy. I recognised his girl, Keisha in the movie from "A Bronx Tale", and she is mad FINE. Anyway, I would think that even the most die-hard DMX/Nas/Method Man fans are going to have trouble watching this movie. There isin't much of a plot, the acting is terrible and I fell asleep twice. The soundtrack is hot, though.
Rating:
Summary: Belly-Underated Masterpiece
Review: I believe that anyone who loves the Mob movie catagory, will love this film. It accurately portrays the modern young mobster in his good and evil. This film is pure genious in the way it was written and directed. Keeping in mind that this is the acting debut for Nas and DMX as well as the full length motin picture directoral debut for Hype Williams, this film could not be any better. For those who criticize it for its glamourous portrayal of the lives of drug dealers, thats the truth in reality and you completely missed the point of the film. If you havnt seen this film and are undecided about it, get it!!!!! I don't know what else to say other than this is one of the greatest films ever made and Hype Williams should be put right up there along with Martain Scorcese after this film.
Rating:
Summary: Good for half, not good for all
Review: A person can look a Belly two ways. Half of us will see it as a video guide on how to be drug dealin' gangsta, and as a bad influece on americas youth (trust me, I've seen this movie influence some kids). The other half will see it as a way for, to use one of Nas' own terms, "Ghetto Prisoners to Rise." My only beef is why did they show all of this crime and violence for 99% of the movie? It's like they just tacked on the "lets all get togther ednding" just to make you forget about the actual theme of the film. It doesn't make the film any worse, just puzzling. One great thing is how the characters that Nas, X, and Meth play are exactly how you would vision them in real life. X is hard and crazy, Nas is down, yet knowledgable and intellegant and Meth is grimy. If you like these artists, you'll love Belly. If you don't, you'll probably do better of watching somthing else.Belly is a movie with a message to and from the streets, and with an excellent story line, real life situations, and a fasinating blend of colors and lighting. If you can get past all the excess "gangsta-ism" you wil see that.
Rating:
Summary: Amazing
Review: When I saw this video on the shelf, I thought it was going to be the usual junk that the country has become used to in the movie industry. I was so pleasantly surprised at how well this movie was shot, acted, and directed that I have recommended it to /everyone/ that I know with high hopes that they will see it. If you get a chance, SEE THIS MOVIE!
Rating: 
Summary: FAKE UP NORTH TYPE.....
Review: I ONLY GAVE THIS MOVIE 2 STARS BECAUSE DMX T-BOZ AND TARAL HICKS WERE GOOD. I AM ALSO TIRED OF SEEING OUR PEOPLE MAKING IT SEEM AS THAT IS OUR WORD. THAT IS WORLD OF A DRUG DEALER, NOT ALL BLACK MEN ARE. WE NEED MORE MOVIES LIKE THE BEST MAN AND THE WOOD THOSE ARE MORE REALISTIC. I NOT SAYING SAYING THAT THIS MOVIE IS ALL FAKE BECAUSE SADLY ENOUGH THERE ARE WAY TO MANY BLACK MEN LIVING THIS LIFE BUT WHY SHOULD WE HYPE IT UP, WE SHOULD BE SHOWING OUR KIDS THAT THAT IS NOT THE LIFE TO LEAD. THE ONLY THING THIS SHOWED WAS IF YOU SELL THEN YOU CAN LIVE IN A PHAT HOUSE, DRIVE PHAT CARS, AND THAT YOU MAY HAVE BEEF WITH THE COPS AND OTHER DEALERS BUT IF YOU KNOW WHAT YOUR DOING YOU'LL BE ALRIGHT IN THE END. IN THE ENDING NAS TELLS T-BOZ LETS MOVE TO AFRICA. WHAT! NAS IS ANOTHER REASON I'D DIDN'T LIKE THIS MOVIE. HE CAN'T ACT HE SOUNDS LIKE HE IS STRAIGHT READING OFF SOME CARD OR SOMETHING. SAVE YOUR MONEY AND BORROW IT FROM SOMEBODY.
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