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BASIC INSTINCT 2 (2006) (**)

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Okay, the original BASIC INSTINCT is a total guilty pleasure. It’s delectable trash. When the sequel was released, it was universally trashed. I wasn't going to rush out to theaters to see it or even rent it, but I awaited its arrival on cable. I was expecting grand camp, and received some of that, but for the most part this is a lame thriller that twists and turns down obvious or illogical roads.

We begin with crime writer Catherine Tramell (Sharon Stone, CASINO) driving over 100 mph down the streets of London as footballer (soccer player for the Americans) Kevin Franks (footballer Stan Collymore) pleasures her. Her excitement is so great that she drives the car off a bridge and into the river, where drugged up Franks drowns. Detective Roy Washburn (David Thewlis, HARRY POTTER AND THE PRISONER OF AZKABAN) believes she did it on purpose. So he enlists court psychiatrist Michael Glass (David Morrissey, HILARY AND JACKIE) to rule on her mental state. After he meets the sexually provocative Tramell, Glass believes that she is addicted to risk. As things go with Tramell, she tries to seduce everyone around her, working her way into Glass treating her. Then people start turning up dead and Glass is thrust into a murder mystery that involves newspaper reporter Adam Towers (Hugh Dancy, ELLA ENCHANTED), his ex-wife Denise (Indira Varma, KAMA SUTRA), his colleague Milena Gardosh (Charlotte Rampling, SWIMMING POOL) and famed psychoanalyst Jakob Gerst (Heathcote Williams, ORLANDO).

What can be said of Stone's performance? One can tell that she is having a good time, but that doesn't mean the audience is having a ball. Her knowing smile gives away the secret — she's in a stinker. Well, it's not really a secret, but you get the point. Morrissey is more committed to not stepping out of character and winking at the audience, but that doesn't mean he's any better. His final reaction shot is ridiculous. And what Charlotte Rampling is doing in this film is beyond my understanding. She has filled her career with sexually provocative films, but not even she can bring class to this production.

When Tramell tries to be shocking with her inappropriate, explicit talk, the film reaches a campy level that is entertaining. However, most of the time, the film just churns along with its average thriller plot, trying to be deceptive when anyone who has seen just a few thrillers will find blaringly obvious. Then in the end, the filmmakers try to be clever and tack on a third scenario that has as many holes as Catherine Tramell.

Though it tries to pretend, this film doesn't have the danger and sexual charge that the original had. Not that the first film was subtle, but this film makes the original look like Terrence Malick's DAYS OF HEAVEN. When the film isn't on the nose, it's convoluted. Too many names are flung around, especially when they try to weave in elements from the first film. Here's a movie I went in expecting it to be junk and was disappointed because it wasn't as bad as I hoped.

Rick DeMott's picture

Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks