Total Recall Review

  
  My favorite thing about the 1990 version of Total Recall is that you never really know if the film is actually happening or if it is all in Douglas Quaid’s mind. Is it all a memory implant, and none of what we are watching is “real?” This is Inception’s spinning top, twenty years earlier. Warning [1990’s Total Recall SPOILERS] Evidence that makes you question whether all you just watched is inside Arnold Schwarzenegger’s mind, is as follows: He dreams about Melina in the beginning. The Rekall salesman sells him the package. Outlining what actually happens in the film, he talks about Mars and aliens and playing both sides; and they ask him about what kind of girl he likes, a picture of Melina appears on the screen; After a subtle cut away, Rekall staff get upset, saying someone has already messed with his mind,(or Quaid falling asleep being implanted with the memory) setting up the question of the film The doctor and Quaid’s wife come to him in the middle of the film, trying to convince him it’s all a dream and he is still in Rekall, and they are there to guide him out. Arnold shoots him in the head because the Doctor was sweating (good enough evidence for me); The end of the film, the dust settles, Quaid turns to Melina and says “I just had a horrible thought, what if this is all a dream? Melina then says “Then kiss me quick before you wake up” (followed by white light, presumably Quaid waking up, or was it?) All things things gave the feeling of uneasiness to the film, and added a deeper element to and otherwise gory science fiction action film. [End 1990 spoilers]

The 2012 Total Recall is almost the exact same story, with some minor tweaks here and there. I won’t ruin them for you because those are the only fresh plot points if you have seen the original. What really bothered me about this film is the lack of the feeling I talked about in the above paragraph. Regarding the feeling that this could all be a dream - this film decided for you. It seems that Len WIseman, director of Underworld and Live Free or Die Hard, has made a decision that it is not a dream. There is no flash of light, no feeling that the salesman outlines the plot. They try a little here and there, but the overwhelming feeling is that Len’s heart is not in the dream part of the story.
    The things I like about this film are the fresh look at the future, and the creativity in making the world. Little details, that just make the future seem cool and interesting, like glowing tattoo ink, hand mobile phone implants, magnetic cars that go above and below the metal streets, and robot police force that pulls from I, Robot style choices. All of which have nothing to do with the plot, just makes it fun science fiction.

I was surprised to see that even though this this film is PG-13 (1990 is rated R). They still included the three breasted prostitute that flashes Quaid in a homage to the original. I know they are not real, but we can show breast and nipple, as long as there are three of them, rubber, and still get PG-13? I am not offended, just surprised.

Also, There seems to be a never-ending supply of masked bad guys in this film. Do they pay these actors less if they don’t show their face, or is it so they can just reuse the same four guys all throughout the film, to die over and over? The thing about films these days is that all the henchmen seem to be masked, making you not care when they die - just one more faceless nothing. There was a distinct lack of blood in this film, adding, I’m sure, to their PG-13 rating. This stands in stark contrast to the 1990 Paul Verhoeven blood bath.

    What this film lacks in the illusion of the real/dream distinction, it makes up for in fun action and creative elements. Although it is almost a complete retelling, I was never bored or waiting for things to happen. The setting and the writing were good enough that you don’t care that they lifted so much from the original script.

I am so opposed to Hollywood’s remake-athon that has been going on in the past few years. Where are all the new ideas? Are they really afraid to take chances on new scripts, in that they can just reboot an established franchise with a fan base. I can hear the studio executives: “Hey, people will go see this film, because of the name alone, and it’s not as a big of a risk.” People are not going to see movies as much because you keep making bad films and it costs, $12.00. Make a good film and the people will come. On a side note, please stop showing the ad before the film starts, telling me not to download a film illegally and watch it at home. I just paid to see this film in your theater, I am not the person you should be lecturing.

The Rating System
Production (Directing, Editing, Music) 3-5
Story (Plot) 2-5 (This is what any remake gets from me, take a chance people)
Characters (Likability, Acting) 4-5
Writing (Dialogue, Cleverness) 3-5
Emotions (Was it; Fun, Scary, Sad, Do I care) 5-5
Overall Score 17-25