Techtite DVD Reviews

The Film : It makes sense, more than a little, that specially packaged versions of Basic Instinct and Total Recall are being released the same week. After all, these are the best films in director Paul Verhoeven's career, though obviously, they're a lot more important for a certain other reason: Sharon Stone. Of course, Michael Douglas, and a surprisingly good "newcomer" named Jeanne Tripplehorn, didn't hurt the film, either.

Of course, this vehicle was particularly beneficial for Hollywood's latest "it" girl in 1992, Sharon Stone. Formerly thrown in insultingly under-appreciative roles in films like Irreconcilable Differences and King Solomon's Mines, she was finally shown as the major Hollywood starlet that she is, thanks to this film (and Total Recall, which initially got her noticed by Verhoeven). Cynics may blame her success simply on her (ahem) "interrogation scene," though truthfully, that scene wouldn't matter to an actress' career if she wasn't also a good actress to boot. Several other struggling actresses (including Madonna) have attempted to star in Basic-Instinct clones, yet no matter how sleazier or more downplayed they performed the vamp role, no mere clone-role could compare to Sharon Stone's performance in the original film.

Of course, that isn't to say this film is a masterpiece. It is a rather simple, "Scooby"-type murder mystery, where who-did-it isn't as important as the mind games the suspect (Stone) plays on the unsuspecting detective handling the case (Douglas). Along the way, she manipulates his life, changing his relationships with ex-girlfriends (Tripplehorn) and colleagues, all leading to an inevitable, final confrontation with the real killer...or is she?

This is probably a mystery drama best known for its excessive sex and violence. From the opening, brutal scene of a faceless, nude woman killing her bound lover with an ice pick, to the nearly X-rated love scene between Stone and Douglas, this is not a film for the queasy film fan. However, for fans of sex-filled psychological dramas like Eyes Wide Shut, or brutal murder mysteries like Silence of the Lambs, this is a film that is both at once not as great as those two films, yet with enough grittiness to keep you watching to the very end.

Then, yes, there's the interrogation scene. One might argue that Stone's controversial "I didn't know the camera would show you that" interviews is what gave this film the little added free publicity to make it such a box office hit. However, to be honest, that isn't the best nude scene in this film, nor is it the most provocative nude scene performed by Stone. Regardless, this film became a box office hit --for whatever reason-- and is more than worth keeping on a DVD shelf.

The DVD : Perhaps the most inspired addition to this DVD is the packaging. Encased in a clear DVD case made to resemble a "block of ice," it includes a small Ice Pick Pen, which, of course, writes in red ink. However, obviously, that isn't the best draw to buy this film, which is a good thing, because I sense that this packaging is offered for a limited time, only...

The DVD itself, while offered prior to this release, has been completely revised. The film iself has been vastly improved in its digital transfer. As for bonus materials, it may have its best features "hidden" (see Sidebar comments at upper-right), yet it also has some excellent documentary footage and audio commentary options as well, in addition to several other worthwhile materials.

Of course, the best audio commentary would be one including Stone and Douglas, though that isn't going to happen. Douglas is too happy with his newlywed life with Catherine Zeta-Jones to re-live one of the steamier love scenes he portrayed, with another actress. Stone, meanwhile, is probably too miffed with the whole "I didn't know the camera was zooming in on that" controversy to agree to any added publicity for the film. Instead, we must settle for a commentary track by Verhoeven and Jan De Bont. Oddly enough, there is an alternate comment track available, by feminist movie critic Camille Paglia, although what's even more surprising is how complimentary she talks about the film, and its often under-noticed use of a dominant female role manipulating the unsuspecting men around her. The comments they all make are intriguing, though it's still a shame the comments aren't by Stone or Douglas.

Featurettes are inspired. One short, 5-minute documentary shows various steamy scenes, and how those scenes were re-edited to allow them to be shown on network TV; no easy task! A longer, 24 minute documentary, titled "Blond Poison: The Making of Basic Instinct," is a more elaborate behind the scenes look at the film. This is copyrighted 2001, and seems to have been made specifically for this re-issue of the DVD.

Added to these special features is a storyboard comparison, of the love scene, car chase, and elevator murder. This is in addition to four screens worth of production notes and anecdotes. There is also a photo gallery, cast&crew information of the four lead stars, and the obligatory theatrical trailer. As I said in the Sidebar, the best bonus materials seem to be in the hidden audition videos. However, it's still intriguing to see this film with excellent digital transfer, and that ice pick pen is a nice added touch. If you were ever interested in adding this film to your DVD collection, this is the version to purchase.

	Final Rating : Small Crater. Certainly not perfect, though still unforgettable, and more than worth watching. It also brought Sharon Stone into the limelight, which is not a bad thing in the least.
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Basic Instinct

A Techtite Review