(VIDEO) "Basic Instinct" (4/10)

[Brock Landers]

"Basic Instinct" A Brock Landers Overview of A Paul Verhoeven Film (4/10)

For all of the hype that surrounded this film, "Basic Instinct" signifies nothing. The characters are cartoons from a hundred other (much better) films…the overstrained cop… the nymphomaniacal femme fatale… the best buddy who, as soon as he mentions retirement, is one dead sucker. There's no sense of authentic cop mileau and the dialogue is all common. There is no genuine intelligence or satire and the relationships are not sharply defined or imagined…not to mention the fact that it is misogynistic to the core…the creators and makers of this film deeply hate women…with that said, we are left with a shot of beaver, a thin and unconvincing mystery story and two or three semi-hot scenes in which highly paid movie stars cavort like a couple of bad actors in any of a half-million craftless tapes since porn moved to video…

Michael Douglas…the long of jaw and grim of visage…the ever-snarling burnt-out cop. Douglas's San Francisco detective Nick Curran has a "history"…he blew away two "tourists" during a drug buy, but apparently has suffered no career ramifications as a consequence of his actions. This makes him interesting to Catherine Tramell (Sharon Stone), an icy, blonde, millionaire novelist who collects murderers the way some people collect porcelain ponies. We are led to believe that Catherine may be the murderer herself...in the opening moments, we watch a faceless blonde enjoy sadomasochistic sex with a man, then pop him like a balloon with an ice pick, in what is probably the film's best scene. Learning that Catherine was the dead man's girlfriend and that she had written a novel with such a murder scene in it, Nick and his partner "Cowboy" (played drearily by the normally insuppressible George Dzundza) head out to question her, first encountering her lesbian/bi lover, which, of course, arouses Nick. When Nick and Catherine confront each other, it's a case of instant hots. She teases him… he teases her…it's only a question of time before they do the deed. In fact, at a police interrogation, she puts on such a show, and he becomes so inflamed, that he grabs his ex-girlfriend, a beautiful police psychiatrist. (note: the movie's second best scene) But soon enough he moves on to the main course…the movie designed to procure suspense from the ritual of seduction. Nick falls deeper in "love" with Catherine… he becomes vulnerable… she may or may not be counterplotting against him…

The director, Paul Verhoeven ("Hollow Man", "Showgirls", "Robocop") is a famous Dutch "bad boy" who always had a skill for storytelling, however questionable and tasteless the materials, but here he is hopelessly defeated by Joe Eszterhas's ("Showgirls", "Sliver", "Flashdance") wordy, brainless, slow-moving and derivative script. Why can't they make a good smut film, ya know?

[JoBlo]

No way! This movie was fun!

I watched it on video a few months ago and it came through...gangbusters! I wasn't expecting Hitchcock to come hold my hand all the way through, but the mystery was a decent one and the whole love/hate thing between Stone & Douglas characters totally WORKED for me.

He's afraid that she might be the killer but at the same time, he's uncontrollably attracted to her. Good shite!

I loved the score also.

A guilty pleasure, is how I would categorize this flick. Sharon Stone playing the PERFECT role as the icy cold beeyatch with a brain to boot (sad to see what happened to her career after this). Douglas boozing it up as the cop with issues. Always fun.

I don't know. I didn't take this movie as seriously as you did, bra, but I respect your opinion. Good review.

[screamer581]

I actually agree with jo on this one....... definatley one of my biggest guilty pleasures, and man sharon looked hot! (to bad she is now finally starting to look her age)

my score-7.5/10 (yes 7.5/10, you heard me, gotta prob??)

[Brock Landers]

Well since you mention the "guilty pleasure" factor, I would have to say that it is a fairly decent flick in that department...I just hate when a film dumbs the material down because the filmmakers think the audience can't understand it...if you have ever seen Paul Verhoeven's earlier film "The 4th Man", you would understand what I am getting at. In that film the story is the same except the killer uses a pair of scissors instead of an icepick. I would give that film a 9/10...It just seems to me, that Hollywood decided to re-make that film into "Basic Instinct" without the plot elements that made the original foreign flick great..

[screamer581]

I hear you brock....

[unicorn207]

I have seen this movie, but it was mainly because I was interested in the mystery.

Since I am not an idiot, and no one here is, I figured out Sharon Stone was the killer by recognizing her boobs as those of the killers. Too bad the detective didn't see the movie.

Also, might Sharon Stone's character have fallen in love with Michael Douglas's and that's why she didn't kill him? Hmmmmmmm?????

As far as the movie goes, would there ever had been any controversey about it had it been a made-for-video film?

[This message has been edited by unicorn207 (edited 12-18-2000).]

[Brock Landers]

Anytime you have big name stars, an infamous director and sex, violence and nudity that pushes the envelope between R & NC-17 ratings, no matter how good or bad the film is (think "Showgirls", "Bad Lieutenent", etc...)...you will also have controversy, hype and "buzz"...unfortunate as that may be. It's too bad that people are influenced by anything other than the quality of the film. It makes for some rather crappy films being made...just because their is something "edgy" like sex or violence. It just goes to show you that many people will buy into a film just because it says "unrated director's cut" or pushes the non-existant envelope...just rambling...

[mafia]

I cannot believe you don't like this movie..

The plot is superb!! This movie has no moments of slowness what so ever! Sharon Stone never acted better, she was indeed perfect. Paul Verhoeven pushed her button allright.. She never again came close to this performance. Jan de Bont did an excellent job in shooting this movie, very tastful, elegant and exciting. The score is magical and creepy at the same time.. It really adds in the suspense..
How... What.. Why..

Damn, you really upset me, Mr Landers.

[JoBlo]

<moderator bump>

[the night watchman]

You hit the nail on the head, Brock. Hallelujah, bra. I despise this movie too, for all the same reasons. Eszterhas is a hack, and a piece of shit, to boot. Verhoeven is a damn good director with no taste or ability to judge the quality of the material he's about to shoot (he really needs other people to choose his scripts for him). I can't even consider this one a guilty pleasure because it's so irritating. Stone's character is the killer? Are you sure? Even the movie itself seemed pretty unsure about that.

No, "Basic Instinct" sure wasn't boring. But that doesn't mean it left a good taste in my mouth. (Though I do wonder if it left a good taste in Michael Douglas' mouth. Ew. Can't believe I said that.)

Controversy does not a good movie make, but it certainly does bring in the box office. Heck, "Showgirls" was called "controversial" because the filmmakers liked it, and everyone else hated it. That's not controversy, that's the public exhibiting some rare taste.

[Brock Landers]

It's true NightWatch (I actually liked the Nick Nolte/ Ewan McGregor/ Josh Brolin thriller... now I know where you got your name /ubb/wink.gif )... Verhoeven is just one of those hit and miss directors...I mean, one second I praise him for "Robocop" or "The 4th Man", the next I'm cussing him for "Basic Instinct" or "Showgirls", and the verdict is still out on "Hollow Man" (which I enjoyed but not enough to decide how much yet...need more viewings, but I can't make myself do it), and my mind can't work out the whole "Starship Troopers" equation yet either. I think he just likes "ideas" for movies that sound good, decides to make them, and hopes for the best. Too bad directors can't always save a movie... Eszterhas is no Truman Capote ("In Cold Blood") or Robert Bloch ("Psycho") or even a fairly readable novelist. It's like Verhoeven is making A-list pictures (big budget, A-list actors) using B-list talent (screenplay, etc...). The result is often less than stimulating.

(though I do wonder if it left a goodtaste in Michael Douglas' mouth.Ew. Can't believe I said that.) - Night Watchman

I declare Watchman!.. I've never seen such filth!......outside of my video collection, that is /ubb/wink.gif

[TobyDammit]

Agree Brock!

All the reasons you sited were spot on.
As for showgirls? I gotta admit, I enjoyed that film for it's trash value alone!

[The Ace Of Spades]

I think that it's clear that Vernhoeven is the king of trash people will love to watch for decades to come.

[Mike]

This movie is kick ass, Sharon Stone is so damn hot in it...

Grade: 8/10

[bskutle]

One of the most exciting thrillers of the '90s, even if it does take liberally from Hitchcock and "Vertigo." The performances are sexy and terrific, the plot is interesting, the Jerry Goldsmith score is seductive and sensational, and the action is hot.

B+ or 8/10

[Cyclonus]

~JoBlo~ what rating would you give the film?

[kopikat]

I think that the only reason one could have to watch this movie is to see Sharon´s boobs in action (I also liked her lesbian girlfriend).
I would give a 8/10 to Sharon and a 2/10 to the movie, the plot really sucked.

[Bud_Fox]

Basic Instinct is the epitomy of a suspense pshycological thriller. This is definitely one of my favorites and the "leg crossing scene" was such an awesome contraversial benchmark scene. The lesbian scenes were also benchmark and very risk'a for the time.

Basic Instinct 8.5/10

[kopikat]

Oh! I forgot the leg-crossing scene! I know give a 9.5/10 to Sharon and a 4/10 to the Movie.
/ubb/smile.gif

[Philip Marlowe]

Well brock we finally disagree on a movie
10/10 this one's in my top 100. I love George Dzundza performance and when you said Brock "detective Nick Curran has a "history"…he blew away two "tourists" during a drug buy, but apparently has suffered no career ramifications as a consequence of his actions" well he has to go and see Jeanne Tripplehorn's character for months but it doesn't turn into a bad thing for him because he starts to fuck her and she was probably going to get him threw what ever problems he had.

And
I love the dialogue

Psychologist: Nick, when you recollect your childhood, are your recollections pleasing to you?

Nick Curran: Number 1, I don't remember how often I used to jerk off, but it was a lot. Number 2, I wasn't pissed off at my dad, even when I was old enough to know what he and mom were doing in the bedroom. Number 3, I don't look in the toilet before I flush it. Number 4, I haven't wet my bed for a long time. Number five, why don't the two of you go fuck yourselves; I'm outta here.

comon that was fucken awesome Brock, oh well

[urbanlegend23]

Brock! Hang your head in shame! This movie was a delight! It was original, fun, exciting and deliciously sexy. I really enjoyed it and I don't consider it guilty pleasure material at all....

9/10

[Brock Landers]

*hangs head in shame*

[PorcheRacer]

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B00005N91B.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpg


BASIC INSTINCT - 6/10

Plot: Troubled cop Nick Curran "falls for the wrong woman"...a bisexual writer who may or may not be an ice pick wielding killer.

Michael Douglas is one of those actors that could fold clothes for two hours and make it interesting. He steals every scene he's in and his performance would have been a real powerhouse if the script had have been up to par with his amazing abilities. Sharon Stone was alright and it was a definite plus to see all of her. George Dzundza provides the comic relief and is pretty funny (loved the scene at the restaurant) but the funniest actor would have to be the guy explaining, "we're dealing with someone very dangerous and very ill". He was so over-the-top it was hilarious. Pretty solid acted movie and it's always nice to see "Newman" pop up in a movie.

Paul Verhoeven is a director who's not afraid to push the envelope and it shows here. The graphic sex scenes and the infamous shot of Sharon Stone crossing her legs are things we would never see in a mainstream movie nowadays. Other then that, his direction is pretty bland. The score is terrible campy and the shots are nothing new. Between the sex, the movie is pretty boring and lacked action and suspense. I'm pretty sure the car chase was supposed to be tense but it did nothing for me since I knew who was driving the black car. The only real tense scene would have to be the one in the elevator but that's slightly hampered by some obvious foreshadowing. The whole movie has a sleazy feel to it especially the "rape" scene...although seeing Jeanne Tripplehorn's bush and boobs makes it easier to watch.

The script by Joe Eszterhas is where the movie falls hardest. Its characters aren't particularly likeable (boozers, killers, psychos) and the film's middle section is filled with plot twists that are made pointless when you consider the movie's final shot. Just when I thought the movie was venturing into the 7/10 range it tacks that stupid ending on that raises more questions then it answers. I will give Eszterhas credit for a few good lines like Nick's answer to the question about his childhood. Too bad Eszterhas didn't care about much more then stringing some sex scenes together because this could have been something alot better.

After all the hype and controversy surrounding the movie I was expecting something more then your average late-night cable flick but nonetheless remains watchable because of the steamy sex scenes and Michael Douglas's great performance. I really like movies like this were all the characters are playing with fire and it's only a matter of time before someone gets burnt but for this type of movie to succeed it must craft a much more engaging plot then this movie does. I say skip this and rent SEA OF LOVE (the movie BASIC INSTINCT rips off) or if you want to see Michael Douglas give an equally good performance in a much better movie, check out A PERFECT MURDER.

[Fisting Ackbar]

Pretty sleazy movie, and while I can see that it's a good guilty pleasure for some of you, the screenplay is full of holes (why the fuck didn't they look for fingerprints on the icepick?) and I find the ending to be too unsatisfying.

5/10

[Cronos]

hmmm, i really enjoyed Basic Instinct,

the characters were cartoony, but the acting was good

the whole film was just a lot of fun and i cant pick at a films flaws if i was entertained by it sooooooooo much

9/10

[screamer581]

Old ass topic! And guess what? I just watched this movie last night (scary). Though I still think it is fun, I would give it a 6/10 just for pure enertainment value....awful movie.

[ERIN_LoJ]

I loved Basic Instinct. I'm not the biggest Stone fan there is but she was excellent in this. And I am a Douglas whore and he really pulled his part. Some nice erotic scenes, a pretty good mystery. Not a bad movie at all.