7.4 | / 10 |
Users | 5.0 | |
Reviewer | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
A manipulative novelist snares a San Francisco detective with her insatiable sexual appetite during the investigation of her boyfriend's murder.
Starring: Michael Douglas, Sharon Stone, George Dzundza, Jeanne Tripplehorn, Denis ArndtCrime | 100% |
Thriller | 82% |
Erotic | 81% |
Psychological thriller | 67% |
Film-Noir | 49% |
Mystery | 30% |
Drama | 29% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.39:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (48kHz, 16-bit)
French: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (48kHz, 16-bit)
German: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (48kHz, 16-bit)
German: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0
English SDH, French, German
Blu-ray Disc
Two-disc set (2 BDs)
Slipcover in original pressing
Region B (locked)
Movie | 5.0 | |
Video | 4.0 | |
Audio | 5.0 | |
Extras | 4.5 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
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".
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).
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.
BLU-RAY DISC ONE
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.
1992
Limited Edition to 2000 Copies
1992
Collector's Edition
1992
1992
1992
2002
Black Label 031
2000
1995
Includes Amazing Amy Book
2014
Director's Cut
2004
2009
2007
1958
2011
20th Anniversary Edition
1997
2015
Premium Collection
1981
1968
2014
Director's Cut
2007
2016
Special Edition
1986
2008
Seven 4K | Limited Edition
1995
2011