Featured Audience Ratings

• ♥˩ƳИИ &

  
  Cast: Anthony Hopkins, Cuba Gooding Jr., Donald Sutherland, George Dzundza, Maura Tierney, John Ashton, John Aylward, Doug Spinuzza, Paul Bates, Rex Linn, Rod McLachlan, Kurt Smildsin, Jim R. Coleman, Tracey Ellis Director: Jon Turteltaub Summary: After a two-year stint living… More
  Cast: Anthony Hopkins, Cuba Gooding Jr., Donald Sutherland, George Dzundza, Maura Tierney, John Ashton, John Aylward, Doug Spinuzza, Paul Bates, Rex Linn, Rod McLachlan, Kurt Smildsin, Jim R. Coleman, Tracey Ellis Director: Jon Turteltaub Summary: After a two-year stint living among a family of gorillas in the African jungle, anthropologist Ethan Powell (Anthony Hopkins) goes on a brutal rampage, killing two poachers. Imprisoned in a Florida mental institution, Powell becomes withdrawn, mute and animalistic. Psychiatrist Theo Caulder (Cuba Gooding Jr.) learns of Powell's condition and takes his case, hoping to unlock the reasons behind the scientist's behavior. My Thoughts: "I can sum this movie up in one word, interesting. Nothing more. The story that is being told by Dr. Powell, is beautiful and tragic. Seeing what happens to the Gorillas was hard to watch. The acting and everything else was great. I definitely recommend this one."

• Lafe F

  
  Decent prison movie with Anthony Hopkins defending the apes and his fellow prisoners in the jail. Cuba is good too.

• Curtis L

  
  Love that Hopkins. The rest of it has all been done before. I'm a sucker for movies set in prisons.

• Jason O

  
  While I was watching "Instinct," I noticed that it wasn't anything like any other movie I've ever seen. It's one of the most emotional and powerful movies ever made. I can't think of any others that even come close to the emotions that it has. I also… More
  While I was watching "Instinct," I noticed that it wasn't anything like any other movie I've ever seen. It's one of the most emotional and powerful movies ever made. I can't think of any others that even come close to the emotions that it has. I also haven't ever seen any other actor that can make just a typical drama or suspense movie feel like a compelling adventure like Anthony Hopkins accomplished in this movie. I can't say who I think the best actor is because there's so many great ones, but I have to say that after watching movies such as "Instinct," "Silence of The Lambs," and "Legends of The Fall," Anthony Hopkins is the first name that comes to mind when someone asks me who I think the best actor is. Cuba Gooding, Jr. is also a great actor and does one of his best jobs in "Instinct." If you're looking for an action-packed action movie, don't get "Instinct." But if you like drama movies with a lot of suspense and you would like to hear a tale of how people can live (with animals) peacefully and without worries, then "Instinct" is definitely for you. It shows how a man is sent to prison for just taking care of his 'family.' The only reason I can think of anybody not liking "Instinct" is that they either don't like this kind of movie, or they didn't understand it. Watch this movie closely and listen to every word and it'll grasp you and never loosen its grip until the last scene of the movie. NOTE: That was my review from the year 2000. This is an awesome movie to say the leats, and one that should get much more attention.

• Ginny  

  
  <font size=1>Re-reviewed:</font><br><br><center><i>"We have only one thing to give up. Our dominion. We don't own the world. We're not kings yet. Not gods. Can we give that up? Too precious, all that control? Too tempting, being a… More
  <font size=1>Re-reviewed:</font><br><br><center><i>"We have only one thing to give up. Our dominion. We don't own the world. We're not kings yet. Not gods. Can we give that up? Too precious, all that control? Too tempting, being a god?"</i><br><br><img src="http://content9.flixster.com/photo/66/80/22/6680227_gal.jpg" width=185></center><br>Dr Ethan Powell (played by Anthony Hopkins) is a very bright anthropologist who went missing in the jungles of Africa, he was recently found but has gone vicious and temporarily insane. Now he faces a death sentence for several murders, and is being called "Ape Man" by the inmates.<br><br>I think this is a once in a lifetime pairing, having Anthony Hopkins and Cuba Gooding Jr playing major roles in the same film, Donald Sutherland was just an added treat really. Extremely superb solid acting, the story and dialogues has something deep to offer its viewers, and for me thats always something that Im more than happy to watch and listen to every now and then.<br><br><font size=1>Inspired by the novel "Ishmael", by Daniel Quinn.<br><br>Rewatchability: 3 1/2 out of 5</font><br><b><br>Director: Jon Turteltaub<br>Genre: Thriller / Psych Drama</b><br>

• Film C

  
  this is an ok movie its set in a mental institute and gooding jr takes an interest in hopkins character and he wants to find out why he hasnt spoken for some time and why hes actually up set and for why he murdered those peoplebut it disappoints in so many aspects the storyline isnt… More
  this is an ok movie its set in a mental institute and gooding jr takes an interest in hopkins character and he wants to find out why he hasnt spoken for some time and why hes actually up set and for why he murdered those peoplebut it disappoints in so many aspects the storyline isnt great and yes you can understand that he loved his work and loved the monkeys and needed to protect them but to then become a reloose and not speak becuase of that event is just annoying !

• Manu G

  
  Good movie. When a noted anthropologist who left society to live in the jungle is imprisoned for murder, it's up to young psychologist to get through to him.

• Lady D

  
  An interesting tale, a story of trust and psychology. Not a huge fan of Cuba Gooding Jr, but he didn't do a bad job in this role as the psychiatrist. Hopkins providing another good performance, VERDICT: Certainly worth watching, not on your gonna watch over and over though

• Dillon L

  
  Some of the philosophy is nice, and Cuba Gooding Jr isn't totally useless in this movie, but the film is still pat and won't appeal to a wide audience.

• Chosen 7

  
  Good film. Great performances by Cuba Gooding Jr., Anthony Hopkins, Maura Tierney, Doug Spinuzza, and John Ashton. Good performances by Donald Sutherland, George Dzundra, and John Aylward. Great cinematography. Poetic ending. Overall it's a powerful drama which makes you think… More
  Good film. Great performances by Cuba Gooding Jr., Anthony Hopkins, Maura Tierney, Doug Spinuzza, and John Ashton. Good performances by Donald Sutherland, George Dzundra, and John Aylward. Great cinematography. Poetic ending. Overall it's a powerful drama which makes you think about mankind and his dominion... "We have only one thing to give up. Our dominion. We don't own the world. We're not kings yet. Not gods. Can we give that up? Too precious, all that control? Too tempting, being a god?"

• Marcus W

  
  Even though this smacks of "give me another oscar" by Gooding, and even though it blatantly rips off Shawshank three times - including the scene in the rain, and even though it's once again Anthony Hopkins imprisoned and playing with peoples minds. Even after all that… More
  Even though this smacks of "give me another oscar" by Gooding, and even though it blatantly rips off Shawshank three times - including the scene in the rain, and even though it's once again Anthony Hopkins imprisoned and playing with peoples minds. Even after all that it is still enjoyable - though simple, and it does avoid a potentially very easy love story that most writers would chuck in. Flawed, but watchable.

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