Just go along for the ride

Rating: 7/10 (26 June 2003)

This is one of the few films in which the plot is confusing, sometimes preposterous, but it's still worth checking out. As I said, just go along for the ride and you should have fun. The story and premise are quite original--I'll give the writers that. Paul Verhoeven beautifully handles the fast-paced action sequences. Basically, I lost touch with the plot about halfway through, but I still enjoyed it throughout. Many people I know conjure up the memory of the hooker with the three breasts the minute the film's title is mentioned, but believe me--there's a lot more the film has to offer!
Arnold Schwarzenegger, though still no Shakespearean actor, obviously needed a lot of brushing up on his acting skills when the film was made. However, he does deliver one of his greatest lines: "Consider that a divorce." Sharon Stone is sexy as usual, and she gets into a neat catfight with the equally sexy Rachel Ticotin. Of course, it's not the usual hair-pulling catfight you see in some movies, but it's just neat to see two sexy ladies go at it. Michael Ironside and Ronny Cox make neat villains.

Those who are squeamish, and unaware of most of Verhoeven's work, should steer away since there is some amazingly graphic violence, even though some scenes were trimmed to get the R-rating.
My score: 7 (out of 10)