Basic Instinct 2
Director: Michael Caton-Jones
Rated: M
Now screening

Catherine Tramell (Sharon Stone), the woman who gave ice picks a bad name, returns for this belated sequel. This time out, Catherine is sent to see psychiatrist Michael Glass (David Morrissey), after she is arrested for the killing of her footballer boyfriend. Michael declares that Catherine has a 'risk addiction', and seems to get sexual pleasure in the most dangerous of places. Catherine walks free of the murder charge, but keeps on seeing Michael, in search of a 'cure'. This leads to a string of murders all relating to Michael's shady past.

Hot on Catherine's trail is Detective Roy Washburn (David Thewlis), who sees through her game and will do anything to bring her to justice. What follows is a sordid tale of sex, deceit and psychological mind games.

Sharon Stone finally returns to the role that made her famous in 1992. The original film was basically a sexed up whodunit, with lots of eye catching scenery and a thumping sexuality all of its own.

This sequel has none of that, with original co-star Michael Douglas wisely bowing out of proceedings. Things get off to a terrible start with a laughably bad opening sequence and continue in a downward spiral from which it never recovers. One of the problems of this film is that the character of Catherine has been toned down considerably, thereby diluting the presence that she had in the first film. There is hardly any mention of her bi-sexuality, which was used to dubious effect in the first one.

Stone seems to have forgotten what made her character tick, and presents the audience with a 'shell' of her character. The heavily made up and 'plastic look' that she has throughout doesn't do her any favours either. Her chemistry with David Morrissey is non existent, and Morrissey plays his thankless supporting role as if he were attending a funeral. Blank stares and frowns do not make a character, and Morrissey could have at least tried to inject some personality into his character.

David Thewlis seems to be the only one having a good time, as the Welsh detective. Thewlis must have realised he was in a silly load of nonsense, and acted accordingly.

Another major fault with this film is that there is no mystery to the story, as it's clear who the killer is, which cheats the audience of any suspense. Perhaps the major mystery is why it took 14 years to write a script as bad as this one. The only saving grace is the soundtrack, which utilises the first film's score, but has the habit of reminding the audience the previous film was better.

'Basic Instinct 2' isn't involving and has a resolution which defies belief. The London setting is as cold as the performances, and there is not one iota of camp that could have at least made this film a trash classic. Surely this is therefore a contender for worst film of the year, and an embarrassment for all concerned.

Patrick Moore