T. Rigney (![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small} filmfiend) wrote,@ 2006-06-30 12:51:00 |
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Basic Instinct 2
Calculated sexuality.
---
Paul Verhoeven's Basic Instinct has never been one of my favorite movies. It's an entertaining flick, for sure, but it's not one you really want to watch, say, more than once or twice. But it was effective. Sharon Stone's performance as Catherine Tramell was a key factor to the film's box-office success, launching her career into the stratosphere as a result. So, faced with middle-age, it's only natural that Stone would want to reprise the role that made her famous, hoping this hollow re-visitation would help propel her back into the limelight. She certainly talked a good game during the film's promotional tour of duty earlier this year, only to fade away as soon as the weekend numbers revealed that nobody really cared. Basic Instinct 2 is a contrived, calculated mess; it stinks of a cash-in. What's worse is that the script feels as though Catherine were merely included as an afterthought, penned into the fourteenth draft of a floundering production as a way to increase the number of rear ends in the theater on opening day. It's a shame, really, because Ms. Tramell's tale of sex and murder definitely deserves a better conclusion.
After getting finger-banged while driving 110mph through the streets of London, Catherine Tramell and drugged-out soccer star Kevin Franks end up in the river, with Catherine being the sole survivor. An investigation is soon underway, prompting Scotland Yard to appoint Dr. Michael Glass (David Morrissey) as her analyst. During the hearing, Glass claims that Tramell has "risk addiction," meaning that she feels the need to put herself in risky situations in order to validate her omnipotence. By his estimation, Catherine was completely sane the night of the accident. Everything screams CONVICTION, that is, until a key witness' testimony is called into question and ultimately dismissed, casting Ms. Tramell onto the streets, an innocent woman. She promptly visits Dr. Glass, looking for a little therapy after his evaluation made her take a good hard look at herself. Yeah, right. Personal reflection isn't in this kitten's genetic makeup. Before you can say REHASH, people around the good doctor begin to die horrible deaths, each victim sexually linked to one Catherine Tramell. But wait -- could it be Detective Roy Washburn (David Thewlis) behind these murders? After all, he DOES have a hard-on for all things criminal and a reputation for greasing the wheels of justice. Or is it Tramell, who just looks so at ease wielding an icepick? Or could it be Dr. Glass himself, using the infamous author as a cover for those who wish to expose him for some questionable decisions in his past? If you have two hours to spare, you might find out. MIGHT.
Director Michael Caton-Jones is a good director. This Boy's Life, Doc Hollywood, Rob Roy, The Jackal -- all good films. So why does Basic Instinct 2 suck so bad? It's shot decently, looks nice, and is moderately paced. Not too bad, I guess, but definitely but Caton-Jones' best work. So is it the screenplay by Leora Barish (Desperately Seeking Susan) and Henry Bean (Internal Affairs) that make this thing almost unwatchable? Their script certainly lacks the sleazy charm of Joe Eszterhas' sexy little thriller, but it's not a total hack job. However, their ear for dialogue seems to be going deaf; everyone talks like a soap opera character, their words and phrases presented as a means to advance the plot. No depth, no gravity. These two bumbling writers are certainly part of the problem. But what about the actors? Should they be held accountable for this atrocity? But wait -- David Morrissey, Charlotte Rampling, and David Thewlis manage to make their goofy scenes work...for the most part. You can tell they're trying their best, even if their best could have been better utilized elsewhere. So, besides the script, why doesn't Basic Insinct 2 stack up to the original?
That would be Sharon Stone's fault.
I hope this is a career killer for her, because she's certainly lost my entertainment dollar. Stone is pathetic; she's so wooden at times that I often imagined using her as kindling for a cozy December evening in front of the fireplace. The Catherine Tramell of Basic Instinct 2 is an open book. You know EXACTLY what's going through her mind at all times, despite the script's desire to make believe otherwise. As if. The blonde bombshell from Basic Instinct was crafty, charismatic. Sinister. She could very easily be the killer, but you're too busy staring at her ass to dig deeper into her psyche. All of the elements that made her so desirable are absent from the sequel. Sharon Stone comes across like Kim Cattrall playing Samantha Jones PLAYING Catherine Tramell. The sultry vixen from Basic Instinct is dead and buried. What we're left with is just another desperate housewife.
And the sex scene that Stone claimed to be "so hot" in her interviews? Weak. They didn't titillate; they didn't arouse. The only thing they prompted in this reviewer was to make a mental note of the items I could fix for lunch once the movie was over. Stone appears in only two brief trysts, leaving a few faceless tarts to handle the rest of the naked gyrating. I've also read that Stone claims no work was done to her body prior to filming. Other than extensive excercise and dieting, of course. Pull the other one, lady. I've seen your other films, Sharon, and you never had more than a handful to begin with. On top of that, your goods used to move a bit more than they do now. They were a bit longer, too. Flatter, maybe. No matter. If you had work done, that's fine. That's dandy. More power to you. But be woman enough to admit it, okay?
Yeesh.
Basic Instinct 2 is worthless. It's sole purpose for being was to help Stone pump some life back into her stagnant career. Big mistake. Contrary to popular belief, the average movie-going public CAN smell a calculate ploy BEFORE dropping their hard-earned cash to see it. They're perceptive like that. Ocassionally. Because everyone saw through the thin veil Stone was attempting to pull over their eyes, not too many people were interested in seeing the further adventures of Catherine Tramell. I know I couldn't care less about her. One movie was enough for me, thanks. But I kind of had to see this disaster for myself, you know? That's just the kind of film fanatic I am. Syriana and Munich remain unwatched, yet I'll carve two hours out of my schedule to sit down with this nonsense. What's wrong with me?
I'm guessing risk addiction.
Calculated sexuality.
---
Paul Verhoeven's Basic Instinct has never been one of my favorite movies. It's an entertaining flick, for sure, but it's not one you really want to watch, say, more than once or twice. But it was effective. Sharon Stone's performance as Catherine Tramell was a key factor to the film's box-office success, launching her career into the stratosphere as a result. So, faced with middle-age, it's only natural that Stone would want to reprise the role that made her famous, hoping this hollow re-visitation would help propel her back into the limelight. She certainly talked a good game during the film's promotional tour of duty earlier this year, only to fade away as soon as the weekend numbers revealed that nobody really cared. Basic Instinct 2 is a contrived, calculated mess; it stinks of a cash-in. What's worse is that the script feels as though Catherine were merely included as an afterthought, penned into the fourteenth draft of a floundering production as a way to increase the number of rear ends in the theater on opening day. It's a shame, really, because Ms. Tramell's tale of sex and murder definitely deserves a better conclusion.
After getting finger-banged while driving 110mph through the streets of London, Catherine Tramell and drugged-out soccer star Kevin Franks end up in the river, with Catherine being the sole survivor. An investigation is soon underway, prompting Scotland Yard to appoint Dr. Michael Glass (David Morrissey) as her analyst. During the hearing, Glass claims that Tramell has "risk addiction," meaning that she feels the need to put herself in risky situations in order to validate her omnipotence. By his estimation, Catherine was completely sane the night of the accident. Everything screams CONVICTION, that is, until a key witness' testimony is called into question and ultimately dismissed, casting Ms. Tramell onto the streets, an innocent woman. She promptly visits Dr. Glass, looking for a little therapy after his evaluation made her take a good hard look at herself. Yeah, right. Personal reflection isn't in this kitten's genetic makeup. Before you can say REHASH, people around the good doctor begin to die horrible deaths, each victim sexually linked to one Catherine Tramell. But wait -- could it be Detective Roy Washburn (David Thewlis) behind these murders? After all, he DOES have a hard-on for all things criminal and a reputation for greasing the wheels of justice. Or is it Tramell, who just looks so at ease wielding an icepick? Or could it be Dr. Glass himself, using the infamous author as a cover for those who wish to expose him for some questionable decisions in his past? If you have two hours to spare, you might find out. MIGHT.
Director Michael Caton-Jones is a good director. This Boy's Life, Doc Hollywood, Rob Roy, The Jackal -- all good films. So why does Basic Instinct 2 suck so bad? It's shot decently, looks nice, and is moderately paced. Not too bad, I guess, but definitely but Caton-Jones' best work. So is it the screenplay by Leora Barish (Desperately Seeking Susan) and Henry Bean (Internal Affairs) that make this thing almost unwatchable? Their script certainly lacks the sleazy charm of Joe Eszterhas' sexy little thriller, but it's not a total hack job. However, their ear for dialogue seems to be going deaf; everyone talks like a soap opera character, their words and phrases presented as a means to advance the plot. No depth, no gravity. These two bumbling writers are certainly part of the problem. But what about the actors? Should they be held accountable for this atrocity? But wait -- David Morrissey, Charlotte Rampling, and David Thewlis manage to make their goofy scenes work...for the most part. You can tell they're trying their best, even if their best could have been better utilized elsewhere. So, besides the script, why doesn't Basic Insinct 2 stack up to the original?
That would be Sharon Stone's fault.
I hope this is a career killer for her, because she's certainly lost my entertainment dollar. Stone is pathetic; she's so wooden at times that I often imagined using her as kindling for a cozy December evening in front of the fireplace. The Catherine Tramell of Basic Instinct 2 is an open book. You know EXACTLY what's going through her mind at all times, despite the script's desire to make believe otherwise. As if. The blonde bombshell from Basic Instinct was crafty, charismatic. Sinister. She could very easily be the killer, but you're too busy staring at her ass to dig deeper into her psyche. All of the elements that made her so desirable are absent from the sequel. Sharon Stone comes across like Kim Cattrall playing Samantha Jones PLAYING Catherine Tramell. The sultry vixen from Basic Instinct is dead and buried. What we're left with is just another desperate housewife.
And the sex scene that Stone claimed to be "so hot" in her interviews? Weak. They didn't titillate; they didn't arouse. The only thing they prompted in this reviewer was to make a mental note of the items I could fix for lunch once the movie was over. Stone appears in only two brief trysts, leaving a few faceless tarts to handle the rest of the naked gyrating. I've also read that Stone claims no work was done to her body prior to filming. Other than extensive excercise and dieting, of course. Pull the other one, lady. I've seen your other films, Sharon, and you never had more than a handful to begin with. On top of that, your goods used to move a bit more than they do now. They were a bit longer, too. Flatter, maybe. No matter. If you had work done, that's fine. That's dandy. More power to you. But be woman enough to admit it, okay?
Yeesh.
Basic Instinct 2 is worthless. It's sole purpose for being was to help Stone pump some life back into her stagnant career. Big mistake. Contrary to popular belief, the average movie-going public CAN smell a calculate ploy BEFORE dropping their hard-earned cash to see it. They're perceptive like that. Ocassionally. Because everyone saw through the thin veil Stone was attempting to pull over their eyes, not too many people were interested in seeing the further adventures of Catherine Tramell. I know I couldn't care less about her. One movie was enough for me, thanks. But I kind of had to see this disaster for myself, you know? That's just the kind of film fanatic I am. Syriana and Munich remain unwatched, yet I'll carve two hours out of my schedule to sit down with this nonsense. What's wrong with me?
I'm guessing risk addiction.
