In “Total Recall 2012,” a man named Douglas Quaid becomes trapped in a mind-bending reality that may or may not be his own creation. Quaid embarks on a journey to uncover the truth about his identity and must navigate through dangerous terrain filled with people who may or may not be trustworthy. This stylish action thriller features stunning visuals, intense fight scenes, and twists and turns that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end.
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Review
It is not often that a man is allowed to explore the recesses of his mind, let alone attempt to rewrite reality itself. But in the film Total Recall, directed by Paul Verhoeven and released in 1990, that’s precisely what happens. The movie stars Arnold Schwarzenegger as Doug Quaid, a construction worker living in a future where mankind has colonized Mars. How does Quaid become involved in such an otherworldly endeavor? Well, it all starts with a dream.
At the beginning of Total Recall, we see Quaid plagued by recurring dreams of Mars and its people. His wife Lori (played by Sharon Stone) tells him that they are just dreams and tries to convince him to go on with his life. But Quaid can’t shake the feeling that there is something more to these visions than meets the eye. This feeling intensifies when he visits Rekall, a company that specializes in implanting memories into people’s minds.
Quaid chooses a memory implant based on his previous desire to be a secret agent on Mars. But as soon as the procedure begins, things quickly take a turn for the worse – or do they? Suddenly Quaid finds himself hunted by unknown assailants and being chased through the streets of a gritty futuristic city. Even more bizarrely, he discovers that many of his memories may not be real at all. The line between fantasy and reality becomes increasingly blurred as he struggles to find out who he really is.
As one might expect from any good science fiction story, Total Recall deals with themes such as identity and memory manipulation. Is our sense of self tied solely to our memories? Can we trust even our most cherished recollections? These questions certainly have relevance in today’s world; how many times have we all misremembered something or gotten lost in our own heads?
The acting in Total Recall is generally solid across the board – fittingly so, considering the amount of talent in the cast. Schwarzenegger is in top form as Doug Quaid – he is both physically imposing and emotive, a combination that serves him well here. Stone is a standout as Lori, who exhibits an equal amount of strength and cunning. And then there’s Michael Ironside, who plays Richter, the lead henchman tasked with taking Quaid down. He does a great job of balancing menace and dry wit.
The crew behind the camera also deserves praise for their work on Total Recall. The film’s special effects, which range from exploding heads to mutants with extra appendages (or “quatos,” as they’re called in the movie), are all seamlessly integrated into the story. The cinematography by Jost Vacano brings the futuristic world of Total Recall to life: from bustling city streets to Martian landscapes, every shot feels like it could be part of a living, breathing world.
One aspect of Total Recall that may divide audiences is its violence. This is definitely not a film for viewers with weak stomachs – there are plenty of scenes involving guns, knives, and other weapons that result in graphic deaths. However, these moments are offset by some genuinely funny one-liners courtesy of Schwarzenegger (who doesn’t love his delivery of “Consider that a divorce” after dispatching Lori?). It’s all part of the film’s tongue-in-cheek approach to its own genre – it never takes itself too seriously.
Total Recall was not without controversy when it was first released back in 1990; critics were divided over its levels of violence and how well it succeeded as both science fiction and entertainment. But over time it has gained a cult following thanks to its memorable characters and scenes. Who could forget Quaid using someone else’s severed hand to open a security scanner? Or his eventual showdown with Cohagen (played by Ronny Cox), the villainous CEO of the mining company that controls Mars?
And let’s not forget about the film’s score, composed by Jerry Goldsmith. The main theme, with its pulsating synthesizers and dramatic horns, is instantly recognizable and sets the tone for the entire movie. It’s a testament to Goldsmith’s abilities as a composer that even decades later his music can still evoke the same feelings of excitement and adventure.
In conclusion, Total Recall may not be everyone’s cup of tea – it is violent, gory, and at times nonsensical – but it’s hard to deny its place in the pantheon of science fiction classics. It succeeds as both a high-concept thriller and an offbeat comedy. It boasts great performances from some of Hollywood’s biggest stars and boasts some truly memorable scenes. It deals with themes that are still relevant today. And most importantly: it has Arnold Schwarzenegger delivering one-liners like only he can. What more could you want?
Technical Data
- Runtime : 118
- Release : 2012-08-02
- Genre : Action, Science Fiction, Thriller
- Cast : Colin Farrell as Douglas Quaid / Hauser, Jessica Biel as Melina, Kate Beckinsale as Lori Quaid, Ethan Hawke as Carl Hauser (director’s cut), Bill Nighy as Matthias
- Crew : Debra Zane as Casting, Philip K. Dick as Short Story, Jon Povill as Screenstory, Sanja Milković Hays as Costume Design, Len Wiseman as Director
- Popularity 32.252
- Budget : $125,000,000
- Revenue : $198,802,074
- Company : Total Recall, Original Film, Prime Focus
- Summary : Factory worker Doug Quaid takes a virtual mind-trip vacation with the Rekall company, opting for implanted memories of being a spy. When the procedure goes wrong, Quaid becomes a wanted man by the police and joins forces with a rebel fighter to stop the evil Chancellor Cohaagen.
- Tagline : What Is Real?
