Rating summary

Movie		5.0
Video		4.0
Audio		5.0
Extras		4.5
Overall		4.0

Basic Instinct Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov June 16, 2021

Paul Verhoeven's "Basic Instinct" arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of StudioCanal. The supplemental features on the disc include archival audio commentaries; new documentary with exclusive interviews; archival featurettes; screen tests; and more. In English, with optional English SDH, French, and German subtitles for the main feature. Region-B "locled".

An ice pick killer is roaming the streets of San Francisco. Detective Nick Curran (Michael Douglas) and his partner Gus Moran (George Dzundza) are dispatched to visit the home of the wealthy and stunningly beautiful Catherine Tramell (Sharon Stone), whose dead boyfriend is the killer’s latest victim. Following an edgy introduction, Catherine begins provoking Nick and the two quickly find each other entangled in a complex web of sex, alcohol, and drugs. While their unorthodox relationship progresses, Catherine becomes the prime suspect in a complex investigation, and Nick is tasked to determine whether she might be the greatest chameleon his department has ever encountered.

Basic Instinct is a classic whodunit story. What makes it different from most everything else we have seen produced by Hollywood is its brash use of sex. Relying on the acting talents of two top-notch actors, Paul Verhoeven has added plenty of depth to a script that filmed in any other way but the one seen here would have amounted to a serious disappointment. Fortunately, the dark and stylish execution is more than enough to turn the viewer’s attention away from a few rather unmissable plot holes.

The lingo, which is quite colorful and was once deemed inappropriate for mainstream TV, is on par with the film’s edgy style. The main protagonists converse in a manner that very much mirrors their twisted actions. Not surprisingly, when Sharon Stone begins to toy with Michael Douglas her words throw the audience in a sea of doubt and uncertainty. Instead of learning more about Catherine, the more she speaks, the less the audience feels comfortable predicting her next move. Thus, Basic Instinct evolves into a guessing enigma that literally remains unsolved until the very last scene.

Despite of its explicit tone, however, Basic Instinct never ever once feels vulgar or insulting -- which was precisely what a number of moralistic watchdogs and outspoken feminist leaders attempted to prove some years ago. The passionate debates the film spurred where leading critics also attacked its portrayal of homosexuals as yet another example that Hollywood is nothing but a biased profiler are so off the mark that all one needs to do is look where contemporary cinema has gone to realize how ludicrous these calls were. Suffice to say, I cannot name a single similarly themed yet politically correct film that has generated the same kind of admiration from film buffs since Basic Instinct premiered.

I would also like to spare a few words for the skeptics out there who have questioned the film’s plot and its ability to overcome a few obvious weaknesses. Yes, with current advancements in forensic studies the mystery behind Basic Instinct would have been solved rather quickly. It is difficult to argue otherwise. What I wish to clarify, however, is that Basic Instinct is more than a mystery film. It is also a character study that draws heavy inspiration from classic film noirs where logic isn’t necessarily used as a foundation for a successful, and in this case wickedly entertaining, story.

Technically, Basic Instinct shines with a strong, often eye-popping cinematography where beautiful vistas from San Francisco are coupled with subdued intimate scenes feeding the story’s sense of suspense. Indeed, Jan de Bont’s contribution is integral to the manner in which the story resonates with the audience. Furthermore, the film’s construction -- it is essentially a carefully designed mosaic of misleading bits of evidence -- is equally effective as it sustains the guessing game that is introduced in the opening scenes until the very end. A very chic soundtrack of original tunes by Hollywood legend Jerry Goldsmith and club hits does some pretty special things to strengthen the suspense as well.

Basic Instinct Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in its original aspect ratio of 2.39:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Basic Instinct Blu-ray courtesy of StudioCanal.

The technical analysis below includes comments about the 4K Blu-ray release because they are relevant when discussing the Blu-ray release as well. Our review of the 4K Blu-ray release can be read here.

The release is sourced from an exclusive new 4K restoration that was struck from the original camera negative. It was completed at Hiventy in France, under the supervision of director Paul Verhoeven.

4K BLU-RAY DISC

The only other release of Basic Instinct that I have in my library is this very old Blu-ray release that Lionsgate produced in 2007, which is sourced from an even older master from the DVD era. As expected, the new 4K makeover offers a number of very specific and very important upgrades that ensure a more satisfying viewing experience. However, there are a few aspects of it that I think should have been managed better.

The good news is that the entire film looks very healthy now, so on a larger screen it instantly reveals an overall superior organic appearance. Before I tested the 4K Blu-ray, I actually played the old Blu-ray to reexamine some of its key shortcomings, and I can confirm that just the stronger new encode on the former makes quite a difference. The visuals have dramatically better density levels as well, which is something that once again makes a substantial difference. Furthermore, there are no traces of problematic digital corrections, so the surface of the visuals where native grain fluctuations typically produce many interesting nuances is in excellent condition. There are superior ranges of darker nuances that enhance the perception of depth, plus in backgrounds often times there is actually far more native detail that is easier to recognize and appreciate now. Image stability is outstanding.

The entire film has been regraded and unfortunately I do not find its new appearance too convincing. There are two reasons why. First, most blues and blue nuances are suppressed by different variations of cyan. Some are tolerable, but many more are not. The shift is quite obvious and actually mimics practically identical shifts that are present on StudioCanal's recent restorations of the Rambo films, Universal Soldier, and Cliffhanger. The most problematic areas typically emerge during daylight footage, but the effects of the shift can be easily recognized during darker footage as well. (See examples in screencaptures #8, 19, ans 21). In many areas, the cyan also destabilizes whites and white nuances. Furthermore, the same shift has introduced inconsistencies in the native dynamic range of the visuals. (The same inconsistencies are present on the restorations that I mentioned above, so they are clearly part of a trend). As a result, during daylight footage, and occasionally some darker footage, it appears that the brightness levels are not set properly, causing awkward flatness that has digital roots. The 4K Blu-ray handles most of these inconsistencies quite well, but on the Blu-ray, where the color values are limited, the inconsistencies become impossible to ignore. All in all, the 4K master clearly offers a sizeable upgrade in quality, but it is yet another project that reveals color-grading anomalies that we have come to expect from European labs. (Note: This is a Region-Free release).

BLU-RAY DISC

The major improvements that are highlighted in our evaluation of the 4K Blu-ray are very easy to recognize and appreciate in 1080p as well. Delineation, sharpness, depth, and fluidity are very clearly superior. Some of the darker footage does not reveal the same ranges of strong nuances, but this is to be expected given the superior resolution of 4K Blu-ray. Predictably, the film again looks very healthy. The color shift and effects that are associated with it become more prominent in 1080p. During daylight footage, for instance, the elevated gamma levels -- which many viewers will likely interpret as altered brightness levels -- bring up even more of the light flatness that looks unnatural. On top of this, this time trained eyes will likely spot some minor blocking and artifacting as well. (See screencapture #14) So, in 1080p there are still many good upgrades, but the end result I think should have been more convincing. (Note: This is a Region-B "locked" Blu-ray release. Therefore, you must have a native Region-B or Region-Free player in order to access its content).

Basic Instinct Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There are four standard audio tracks on the 4K Blu-ray release: English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, French DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, German DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, and German DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0. Optional English SDH, French, and German subtitles are provided for the main feature. When turned on, they appear inside the image frame.

I thought that the lossless track was outstanding. I did some direct comparisons with the old Blu-ray release that I have and there are certain areas where its dynamic intensity is very clearly superior. If you have the old Blu-ray and wish to experience the difference, go the club sequence or the sequence where Michael Douglas' character nearly loses control of his car while pursing Sharon Stone's fancy racer on hills. But there are great examples everywhere. The intense chase (with the crash at the end of it) around the 1:25:13 mark where the music has an important role to play is just as effective. There are encoding anomalies to report in our review.

Basic Instinct Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

BLU-RAY DISC ONE

• Basic Instinct: Sex, Death & Stone - this recent documentary examines the genesis of Basic Instinct, the controversy that surrounded it in years past, and its lasting appeal. Included in it are clips from exclusive new interviews with screenwriter Joe Eszterhas, director Paul Verhoeven, Michael Douglas, Sharon Stone, and cinematographer Jan de Bont, amongst others. The documentary was produced by Jacinto Carvalho in 2020. In English. (54 min).

• Commentary One - this archival audio commentary by Paul Verhoeven and Jan de Bont was also included on Lionsgate's old Blu-ray release of Basic Instinct.

• Commentary Two - this archival audio commentary was recorded by feminist critic Camille Paglia. It was also included on Lionsgate's old Blu-ray release of Basic Instinct.

BLU-RAY DISC TWO

• An Unending Story - Scoring Basic Instinct - this new program focuses on Jerry Goldsmith's background and career and examines the unique qualities of the soundtrack he created for Basic Instinct. Included in it are clips from interviews with producer/film music historian Robert Townson, author/film music historian Daniel Schweiger, and author/film music historian Lukas Kendall, amongst others. In English. (17 min).

• Blonde Poison - The Making of - this archival program examines the production history of Basic Instinct. Included in it are clips from interviews with Paul Verhoeven, editor Frank Urioste, and producer Alan Marshall, amongst others. It was produced for Artisan Home Entertainment during the DVD era. In English. (25 min).

• Cast & Crew Interviews Featurette - an archival EPK featuring short clips from interviews with cast and crew members. It was produced for Carolco during the DVD era. In English. (7 min).

• Storyboard Comparison -
  
  1. Love Scene
  2. Car Chase
  3. Elevator Murder

• Screen Tests -
  
  1. Sharon Stone
  2. Jeanne Tripplehorn

Basic Instinct Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Like most collectors that were patiently waiting for this 4K Blu-ray release to arrive, I was quite intrigued by Sharon Stone's recent comments about the 'version' of Basic Instinct that is included on it. A small part of me believes that these comments are sincere and finds them seriously perplexing, but a much bigger part of me is convinced that they are a marketing trick to revive the old controversy that has always followed the film. Interesting times. The release offers a major upgrade in quality and I think that most people will be quite happy with it. However, I am not completely satisfied with the color-grading job that was completed at Hiventy. RECOMMENDED.