I prefer this over the original

As much as I love Verhoeven, I've never been too taken with Basic Instinct (not that bothered about 'Robocop' either....shock horror)
Something about B.I. leaves me cold. It seems too slick (and his usual mean spirited touches, lack the knowing wink of his other works) Usually with Verhoeven, there's something about his stuff that's unmistakable....but B.I. just comes across so workmanlike and mechanical (lacking of the directors imprint) He'd already answered his calling card to America with his two previous movies, so had no reason to make something so trite (and 'artistically-needy')
Michael Douglas was good (as per usual) but the movie seemed uncertain of who the 'lead' was (imo, anyhow) so it just felt like a long, loud, meandering pot-boiler (with added jazzed up sex scenes) when (given Verhoeven's pedigree) should have been a worth successor to 'Body Heat' (hell, I'd have taken another 'Body Double') instead, it's largely remembered for Sharon Stone crossing her legs (and little else) A lot of it's imitators that followed were, in my eyes, better movies that their source inspiration.
And (contrary to the consensus here) I thought Sharon Stone was rather dull in this movie, in both performance and looks (I didn't find her attractive in the least....which I know is sacrilege around MovieChat)
I thought she looked much better in the sequel (plus, I have a thing for older milf types, anyhow) and B.I.2 is under no pretence of what it is (and more importantly, what it isn't) yes, Morrisey was rather weak (but then again, I think that may have been the point?) Despite several faults, I found the sequel to have that 'Knowing-Wink' that the original (imo) didn't.

It is better than the original.