Protetor

Lisa Gardner's novel, "The Perfect Husband", upon which this movie is stupid movie based, is a MASTERPIECE. This is knockoff GARBAGE, FULL of plot holes! Most of the events in the movie never even happened in the novel, and many key characters and sequences of events in the book were just plain not in the movie! Boooooooooo! If you REALLY want to experience this story the RIGHT way, you really OUGHT to just read the book. Lisa Gardner is the QUEEN of crime thrillers! And then read all the rest of her books in order in which they were published if you're intrigued by "The Perfect Husband" novel.

Where to start with this movie? How about with the DVD packaging. The back of the box claims the movie is from the director of "Commando" and "Firestarter". Well, that's technically true, but the individual in question (Mark L. Lester) just PRODUCED this movie, not actually directing it. The packaging also puts Mark Dacasco up front and center with a gun, suggesting (along with the title) that this movie is filled with action. While there are some action sequences, there aren't as many as you'd think. The story actually concerns Dacasco helping a woman fend off her psychotic ex-husband, and Dacasco's character isn't as prominent in the movie as you may imagine. But there are a lot more problems than the ones I just described. This is a really low budget movie, which results in shoddy cinematography, sometimes poorly recorded audio, and some real cheesy production values. But even a higher budget would have still resulted in a screenplay which has some really laughable plot turns and actions by the characters. If there had been some more, I might have recommended this movie as an unintentional comedy, but as it is, kill any thought of watching it. By the way, if you are thinking of renting the movie because it reunites the two stars of the cult hit "Drive", know that Kadeem Hardison doesn't have that much screen time and only shares two brief scenes with Dacascos.

I recently watched "INSTINCT TO KILL" for the very first time... B-List cast? Poleeeeeez...GIVE ME A BREAK! The cast, directing, storyline, and all other movie-making essentials were SUPERB- PERIOD!

Given the choice to view the CRITICALLY acclaimed movies "Titanic", "Star Wars", "Austin Powers" and "Harry Potter" (consecutively and for free), or PAY to see "INSTINCT TO KILL", I'd pay to see the latter EVERYDAY of the week! HONESTLY!

By-the-way, in America's educational system we're taught A's are better than B's. Keeping this (nationally accepted 'Institution for Higher Learning' fact) in mind, why on earth are "INSTINCT TO KILL"'s cast members B-Labeled?, while the cast members of the other aforementioned movies are A-Labeled?

PLEASE! Give me "INSTINCT TO KILL"'s (UNDULY B-Labeled) cast and you can keep your (SO CALLED) A-List wannabes!

"Instinct to Kill" sticks a handful of B-listers in a journeyman production B-flick and lays down a hackneyed storyline which has nothing new to offer. A crime/action/drama, this flick has many deficits including bad acting and direction, gaping plotholes, predictability, obvious cost-cutting, ordinary fight sequences, etc. Pretty much a waste of time, "Instinct to Kill" makes a marginal watch even for the most macho-minded couch potato. (C-)

WANTED: Mercenary. REQUIREMENTS: (1) Must be able to hit his targets with a handgun, or at least come close to them. (2) Must be able to maintain emotional distance with his clients, or at least be able to control them to the point that the clients do not become a liability.

Too bad. I've always liked Mark Dacascos. This film just did not do it for me. It has a lot of good merits but certain obvious things were enough to turn me off to it. I expected more from the police detective. The lack of graphic violence is good, since the story involves lots of violence. I could see the ending coming too easily.