Fatal Instinct MPAA Rating: PG-13 Entertainment: +1 1/2 Content: -2 1/2

FATAL INSTINCT attempts to be a spoof of BASIC INSTINCT, FATAL ATTRACTION and several others of this genre. Ned Ravine (Armand Assante) is both a cop and a lawyer who arrests criminals and then defends them. His wife Lana (Kate Nelligan) spends her time in bed with her auto mechanic and plotting to kill her husband for the insurance money. Ned is pursued by blond bombshell, Lola (Sean Young), who tries to seduce him - and ultimately succeeds. Ned is also stalked for revenge by a recently-released ex-con, Max Shady. His loyal secretary, Laura (Sherilynn Fenn), is a bright spot among the seamy cast of characters. Cameo appearances by Tony Randall as judge, Doc Severenson playing music in a closet, and Carl Reiner in a bathroom scene add to the absurd peculiarity of this movie. At times the camp humor gives way to some truly hilarious spoofs. Nevertheless, FATAL INSTINCT has a fatal flaw of mindless crude attempts at entertainment.

FATAL INSTINCT's producers assume the public will be willing to pay to see a prolonged tasteless skit. Among the many objectionable elements is adulterous intercourse implied four times. One couple is caught red-handed as they fall out of a refrigerator in a particularly bizarre scene. Frequent sexually suggestive discussions and activities are not very funny. Even fruits, vegetables and other food take on sexual connotations. Bare breasts, low cut dresses and rear nudity play a major role as well. As expected of a comical detective story, there are botched attempts to fight crime. Several beatings, five murders, one attempted murder and a man dragged under a van provide the action. Oddly, two of the dead people reappear, only to be shot by the secretary. Language features no f- or s-words, but many other words are used as obscenities in an attempt to refer humorously to genitals and intercourse. Although rated PG-13, FATAL INSTINCT treads into "R" territory. One's instinct and better judgment suggest avoiding this Hollywood folly.

Preview Reviewer: Alice Anderson
Distributor: MGM/UA Dist., 11111 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90025