“Basic” couldn’t have a better title. The film is just that: basic. I suppose it could be called “Just Basic” or “Basically Stupid” or “Don’t See This Overly Complicated Film that We’re Trying to Sell as Basic.”

“Basic” is another example of a film that is infected with “twist syndrome.” After the humongous success of thrillers like “The Sixth Sense,” many filmmakers today feel the need to provide an audience with an extreme payoff, or “twist.” “Basic” is one of these films, but it takes payoff to the extreme. I stopped counting plot twists at five. If it weren’t for this little job I have, I would’ve walked right out of the theater.

-The “story” takes place in Panama, the country where you can “throw a rock in any direction and hit about three cartels.” We follow DEA Agent Tom Hardy (John Travolta) and his trusty sidekick Julia Osborne (Connie Nielsen) as they investigate an Army Ranger training exercise headed by Sgt. Nathan West (Samuel L. Jackson) that went extremely wrong (i.e. some people died very painful deaths). I won’t even begin to explain why a DEA Agent is investigating this situation, partly because I still don’t understand the reason and mostly because there isn’t much intelligence behind it.

Director John McTiernan has been making films for more than 15 years. Some of his credits include the action hits “Predator” and “Die Hard.” McTiernan should know better than to ever attempt to direct a script so plagued with contradictions and stupidity. I can’t even imagine how any individual involved with this film could pick up this piece of writing and feel that anything positive could come out of its production. “Basic” is that bad.

John Travolta is a talented, lovable guy. However, he shouldn’t be left off of the hook. Travolta knows better than any actor just how important it is to choose projects carefully. After a few bad career moves in the ‘80s, Travolta all but disappeared until director Quentin Tarantino cast him in “Pulp Fiction.” Since then, Travolta has been on a downward spiral again, making trash over and over again.

“Basic” just may be one of Travolta’s career-ending films, sending him into the dumpster of washed-up Hollywood action stars.

Maybe “Basic” isn’t as bad as I’m making it sound. Honestly, it couldn’t be released at a worse time, with the war and all that. This film knows nothing about the military or, in particular, Army Rangers. The film portrays the Rangers as cut throat, every man for themselves soldiers who won’t think twice to turn on their fellow Rangers. According to “Basic,” there is no unity among them.

At one point, a character says, “leave no man behind, that’s the Ranger code.” Then, the film shows soldiers who are quick to rat each other out or blow each other’s brains out. You could get more accurate information about how soldiers operate from Geraldo Rivera.

And yes, for all of you who have seen the film, the ultimate twist of an ending may make sense out of what I just said, but by that point, it’s way too late for logic.

John McTiernan, John Travolta and Samuel L. Jackson have ended the first quarter of the year with a bomb. “Basic” will no doubt be one of the worst films released in 2003.