“Basic Instinct 2: Risk Addiction” (Sony Pictures)
Leaves You Bored, Bothered and Bewildered
Sharon Stone looks great in “Basic Instinct 2: Risk Addiction,” but the movie is a trainwreck. It makes sex, seduction and sinister acts all seem boring and that is hard to do. The basic problem with “Basic Instinct 2” is there is no one to like in the film. Each and every character is unappealing in some way.
Stone is back as Catherine Trammell, a woman who oozes evil. She is now living in London and people are dying around her. Because she comes under suspicion a psychiatrist is assigned to meet with her. This poor soul is Dr. Michael Glass (David Morrissey). Of course once he begins to meet with her he falls under her spell. For a professional man he is easily seduced.
As the murders pile up suspicion falls on Catherine, Michael and even policeman Roy Washburn (David Thewlis). All seem to have ulterior motives as to why they want the other to be found guilty of the crimes. It is all murky and muddled, with a twist at the end that has to be heard to be believed.
Stone is icy as Catherine and it doesn’t make her fascinating or even attractive. She is just someone you know you would never want to know. Morrissey makes Michael Douglas look like the epitome of manhood by comparison. He has no chemistry with Stone and he evokes no sympathy from the audience. Thewlis, well he is just wormy as the policeman and gets on everyone’s nerves.
Okay, I did like Charlotte Rampling who plays a colleague of Michael’s. She is a fascinating actress but isn’t seen enough on screen in this movie. When she is on screen things brighten up but when she leaves she takes the sun with her.
The film is rated R for profanity, nudity and violence.
Remember that old line about “suppose you threw a party and no one came”; well in this case it is “suppose you made a sequel and no one cared.” That’s what has happened here. No one was clamoring for a sequel to “Basic Instinct.” Nobody but Sharon Stone. She got it made, and nobody cares.
So trust your instinct about this movie and stay away. If you wait a couple of days it will probably be out on DVD and then you can just rent it if you absolutely, positively have to see it.
I scored “Basic Instinct 2: Risk Addiction” a deadly 4 out of 10.
