So it feels like this is the first movie I've seen featuring Wayne Knight that wasn't 'Jurassic Park'. I like the guy, though - I must have seen him in something else. 'Basic Instinct' is a bit boring.
It plays out sort of like an episode of 'Law and Order', but with more sex. 'Law and Order', and sex are rarely bad things, but I think there's a reason they never did a 'Law and Order' movie. Also, side note - I think Michael Douglas would be great on 'Law and Order'. The plot and the script are pretty good. There are plenty of twists and turns, but the pacing jumps up and down and misses gears. Much of the movie is slightly too slow, and then just as you're lulled into... not exactly boredom, but you're zoning out a little - something massive and important happens and you're playing catch up.
Thanks to the pacing, and the very 90s feel to everything, I found 'Basic Instinct' rather dull. The plot was excellent, and the questions we are left with by the end are presented very nicely, but I never got excited about it. I think it would leap up another 10-15 points if it was condensed slightly, but as it is it's still a fair thriller.
The acting was pretty good throughout, though all most of them had to do was be gruff policemen. I particularly liked Gus, and was hurt when he was murdered towards the end - especially as he was the nicest guy in the whole thing: sticking up for Nick, believing in him, telling him to stay away from scary blonde lady, etc. His therapist was extremely unprofessional, but she was portrayed well too (as was Catherine, obviously). The shooting style was basic, and was one of the elements that helped it feel like a crime procedural. It did it's job, though, and while 'Basic Instinct' wasn't my favourite thriller, it is a memorable one.
Christ Sharon Stone, cross your legs.
Basic Instinct: 43.5