On B List of Movie Reviews
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Basic Instinct (1992)
Rate:
4
Viewed:
6/03, 2/05, 7/08
7/08:
Basic Instinct generated outrage among females and gay rights activists because they found the movie
highly offensive in terms of sex and violence.
To be honest with you, as it's my third time seeing it, I made sure to observe anything of that nature but
encountered nothing. Hell, Lassie Come Home had sickening graphic scenes
that should've been talk of the town.
Anyway, Sharon Stone gets her proverbial fifteen minutes of fame by flashing her beaver for about five seconds. She did it
slow enough that's impossible to miss. Besides, Sharon Stone acts better than ever.
Granted, there's a high degree of neo-noir quality going on, and the story isn't bad. Yet it's a dumb movie where
every piece of the puzzle must fall into place neatly without a hitch. In other words, the plot is too good to be true.
I have no doubt in my mind that Catherine Tramell is the killer, but I feel insulted the characters are dumb as rocks by
allowing themselves to be stringed along without thinking, hence the manipulative ending. Michael Douglas' character
wimps out big time because, like Ned Racine of
Body Heat, he's a marionette who willingly waltzed into a trap.
Given the high level of nudity, Basic Instinct isn't a sensual picture. In fact, the sex scenes are bland.
Less is always more. On the other hand, I'll like to see an half hour cut out for the sake of tautness.
All in all, Basic Instinct is a nice try for some sleazy fun, but it doesn't ultimately work.