Rating: 
Summary: A memorable erotic/psychological thriller!
Review: I love everything that makes my skin crawl with suspense. Basic Instinct is one of the cleverest erotic-slash-psychological thrillers ever made. This film was also a milestone for Sharon Stone, who was practical unknown at the time. Her role as the sinister and manipulative novelist Catherine Tramell is incredible -- Stone cleverly makes the character seem dark and complex. The handsome Michael Douglas also does an excellent job playing the troubled detective Nick Curran. The erotic scenes aren't overdone -- they're vital to the twists in the story. As I've already said, Basic Instinct is one of the most intelligent thrillers ever made! I recommend this DVD most highly!
Rating: 
Summary: There's gonna be a lawsuit on this one...
Review: Basic Instinct is markedly not one of cinema's finest moments. Basically, yes, as said, it is soft porn. The softest of kinds which does not even really qualify as softcore and should be relented to the wee hours of the morning on skinemax. However, don't necessarily take my word for it. There seems, however inexplicably, to be a real taste among the buying public for this stuff. I just think Stone would've done better as an extra in Caligula. Anyhoo, porno aside, HAS ANYONE NOTICED THAT THIS DVD COMES COMPLETE WITH A METAL ICE-PICK!? ... DOES THIS STRIKE ANYONE AS A BAD IDEA??? Don't get me wrong. I believe ONE DAY people will be innately good, but holy dancing [doo-doo]. I just don't think the Stone fans should be entrusted with something like this. SHEESH!
Rating:
Summary: That's why she wasn't charged with smoking...
Review: ... Basic Instinct remains one of my favorite movies of all times. It's not only about the plot. It's the style. The acting. The cinematography. ... Sharon has never been better so far, Michael Douglas says it itself, Jennie Tripplehorn is a nice discovery. And that ice-pick...
As far as the DVD is concerned, this movie couldn't have been treated better. Experience the remastered video and, if you're as lucky as to have a good audio system, hear the waves crashing against the cliff as Catherine and Nick first meet. The extra features are unbelievable. The audio commentaries join you through the entire movie feature (Paglia's the best one!. The making of is rather interesting and two thumbs up for the comparison between the tv version and the theatrical version ( never experienced something funnier!) and that between the storyboard and the actual scene. Add to this a theatrical trailer and a teaser, the usual production notes and the cast and crew information and a photo gallery - and now tell me this isn't worth it!!!!
PS: one more good reason. Click on the ice picks in the various menus, and see what happens...
Rating:
Summary: So, what's the difference?
Review: Let me get this straight. Sharon Stone became a major name in Hollywood because she flashed her privates in this film. And I thought that porn stars had been doing that for decades before this film was made. So, the difference is?....Oh, I get it. It's a LEGITIMATE film. Ah, now I understand.
Rating: 
Summary: This is a decade-old movie that has held up very well.
Review: I think this movie works, even after the passage of time, because the plot provides a true mystery, it was filmed beautifully, has a timeless, lush score, and basically exposes us to the most basic of instincts in a completely candid and passionate manner, and is therefore a treat for all the senses. Remembered best for the interrogation scene, re-watching the films recalls the intricacies of the who-dunit factor and rekindles the heat generated by the sexual and mental interplay between the cool calculating character created by Stone and the bright, but confused character who is constantly exuding simmering raw sexuality, brilliantly portrayed by Douglas. The frankness and specific details of the many 'sex-scenes' makes one wonder even more than ever why so much has been made of the touching and beautifully filmed sexual scene in the recently released film 'Monster's Ball'. The Unrated Collector's Edition DVD of 'Basic Instinct' contains many interesting features; the best of which was a relaxed but informative commentary by Director Paul Verhoeven and PD Jan De Bont. Not only do they provide a very interesting and fact-filled commentary about the making of the film, the background info on why and how certain scenes were shot, details about location data, and references contained in the film related to the master, Alfred Hitchcock; but they also give us inside information about the cast; their personal reactions to their roles, the intimate details of the shooting of the complex sex depictions, technical details about filming the bloody and violent murders, as well as other small but oh-so-revealing tidbits that make us movie-goers feel like real insiders. Conversely, the commentary by feminist critic Camille Paglia was a stern, passionless-reading of a seemingly written-text by an individual with a very obvious agenda. It is always interesting to be exposed to differing opinions, but in this particular case Ms. Paglia has an affinity for telling viewers in fairly biased language 'what' they are seeing. While a director can tell us 'why' a scene was shot a certain way, lit in a particular manner, contained specific language, etc., the viewer is left to draw their personal opinions as to the intent of the final product. Whereas, Ms. Paglia consistently describes for the viewer what a particular scene is portraying based on her personal prospective only, as she has no part in the actually 'making' of the film. This commentary may or may not be interesting based on the viewer's point of view and/or their patience and/or tolerance to hear a different viewpoint. The good thing about this, as with all 'special features', is that it is there if you are interested, but it isn't mandatory if you are not. The 'ice-pick' pen is a 'cute' selling promo. The package, as mentioned by some other reviewers has a problem. If you inspect the hinges carefully, you will note thare is simply no clearance for 'opening' the hinge; best to remove the cover as if changing the jewel case on a CD. All in all this was well worth the price to retrospectively view a visually beautiful, mentally stimulating, candidly sexual film, and additionally to gain insight into its creation. If you saw it originally, step back in time to be reminded of what you may have forgotten over the years. If you have never watched 'Basic Instict' find out what all the up-roar was about when the film was originally shot and released.
Rating: 
Summary: overrated romp
Review: Michael Douglas and Sharon Stone use sex as a weapon as Douglas's character investigates the shocking murder of one of Stone's lovers. More of an acquaintance she slept with than a lover, the aging rock star is repeatedly stabbed with an ice-pick, the same fate met by a fictitious rock star in a torrid novel Stone's character had written. The book so baldly links Stone's character to the murder that it's less a clue than an alibi. (Who would be crazy enough to commit a horrible crime and essentially confess by selling a ficionalized version of the gory event at $5.99 a-pop to beachgoers and frequent fliers?) Though Douglas, as "Nicky", pursues the case with an eye towards collaring Stone's Catherine Trammel, nobody else on his force will touch her - some are in awe of her as fans, or simply don't want to try pinning the murder based on her book. It soon becomes clear that nobody really likes Nick - his partner, played by "Law & Order" alum George Dzunda, is one of his few friends on the force, but even he admits that he's in the minority; a former lover played by Jeanne Tripplehorn also has a rocky relationship to Nick - she's also the PD psychiatrist, and Nicky's given her enough material to write a book of her own. When Nick remains determined to get even closer to Trammel, we quickly learn that he has a history himself (Stone calls him "Nicky" like his ex-wife used to and, to really clue him in to his transparency, "Shooter"; it seems that Nicky has a rep for jumping to conclusions with his police 9mm), and Stone's Catherine Tramell turns his demons against him. Nevertheless, Tramell needs Nick - he's the perfect model for a character in one of her new books. They duel (mostly in bed) but the script tosses in some other players: Roxy - one of Catherine's lovers and Jeanne Tripplehorn (who may have a history of her own w/Trammel); and let's not forget a pre-Newman Wayne Knight as a chainsmoking detective in the infamous interrogation scene. This movie generated a lot of controversy, but the biggest surprises aren't sexual at all - instead, the script repeatedly shocks with its unsublety, dropping hints like anvils - Tripplehorn's having known Trammel in HS, Trammel's telling Nick of having been stalked by a fellow classmate in college, a student who tried to assume Catherine's identity - as if we're too stupid or lazy to connect the dots before the last 1/2 hour! As a mystery, "Instinct" is a total failure - dispensing with any of the remotely intelligent plot devices of mystery - as motive and opportunity - instead characters die almost at random (the murder victim himself is a cypher, an innocent bystander whose death was needed to get the story going and gets tossed once Nicky's on duty). Even the sex isn't sexy - mostly it's just violent, less seductive than kinetic. For a flick about a sexual predator, "Basic Instinct" isn't remotely arousing.
Rating:
Summary: Sharon is sizzling
Review: Sharon Stone is extremely beautiful in this film. Although this is not a perfect movie, Sharon herself is worth 5 stars. The other reviewer is right, perfect face, perfect body, and perfect acting
Rating:
Summary: the greast drama ever
Review: This movie is great.I just bought this dvd on monday.It is my favorite move of all time.Sharon Stone was a blonde bombshell in this movie.She played the perfect killer.Micheal Douglas did a pretty good job in the movie.I thought he did a better job in fatal attraction.
Rating:
Summary: GREAT MOVIE!!!!
Review: THIS IS ONE OF THE BEST ROLES SHARON STONE EVER HAD I LOVED THIS MOVIE!WHEN I SAW THIS FOR SALE ON DVD I IMMEDIATELY BOUGHT IT I TOUGHT THE ICE PICK THAT IT CAME WITH WAS A GREAT MARKETING TOOL.I WAS WILLING ENOUGH TO BUY IT.I HAD THE RATED VERSION ON VHS SO I DECIDED TO BUY THE UNRATED VERSION ON DVD TO SEE WHAT I DIDN'T GET TO SEE.THOUGH IT WAS ONLY FOUR MINUTES IT WAS WORTH IT.EVERYONE SHOULD BUY THIS NOW IT IS AN AMAZING EROTIC THRILLER.
Rating:
Summary: Grittier and more wild version of an already great film
Review: My wife and I enjoyed the original and still own it as well as this special edition. By now you must know that the packaging includes an ice pick shaped pen and a block-of-ice-like case - the only problem here is that there is no "spine" on the case so it doesn't read like other DVDs while it is in our library. I enjoy the little extra stuff - it kind of thickens the experience of owning the film. If you like this kind of thing you'd probably enjoy the packaging for the directors cut of Manhunter as well. The film: While the original had an edgy quality this version really allows us to observe Michael Douglas' journey into the dark side with more clarity and at times biting visuals. The sex scene with Jeannie Tripplehorn in the original had a sexy quality while this version shows us it borders on a violent rape. As a matter of fact all of the sex scenes are more graphic and titillating and in a way, the viewer is drawn down Michael Douglas' path in the same way he is - "I know we shouldn't go there, but it looks so devilishly inviting." The film is now a bit dated but still comes across well enough to be enjoyed a few more times.
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