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These days, it seems as though the biggest, most successful movies are remakes or sequels or reboots—some kind of adaptation of a film that already exists. Many of them seem redundant—and they’re often pretty disappointing, too. But, despite its August release date (which is often a bad sign), director Len Wiseman’s remake of Paul Verhoeven’s 1990 sci-fi thriller, Total Recall, is one of those rare remakes that are actually worth checking out.
Based on a short story by Philip K. Dick (who also inspired movies like Blade Runner, Minority Report, and The Adjustment Bureau), Total Recall travels into a grim future, where war has torn the world apart, leaving just two inhabitable areas. Douglas Quaid (Colin Farrell) is a mild-mannered factory worker who lives—as most average people do—in a tiny apartment in The Colony. He’s got a decent life—a decent job, some good friends, a beautiful wife, Lori (Kate Beckinsale). Lately, though, he’s been having the same strange dream every night—a dream in which he’s chased, captured, and separated from a woman he doesn’t know.
In an attempt to make himself feel more normal again, Doug goes to Rekall, a company that can implant memories of a more exciting life—a life like the one he lives in his dream. During his visit to Rekall, though, he’s marked as a spy, and he ends up on the run, not knowing which of his memories are real and which ones have been implanted.
Artfully imagined and filled with thrilling action sequences, Total Recall is a smart and stylish remake. The film’s stunning set design alone, with its bustling futuristic cities, makes it worth a look—and the chase scenes give it an exhilarating video game-like feel.
Still, Total Recall wouldn’t be a memorable thriller without its multi-layered mystery. While many action films rely on action and effects alone to keep audiences engaged, Total Recall will keep you guessing right along with Quaid. Is he really a spy on the run, or is he still hooked up to Rekall’s machines? And if he really is a spy, then which side is he on? Is he a good guy or a bad guy—or both?
Farrell, meanwhile, was definitely the right man for the role of Quaid, perfectly playing into the story’s ambiguity. On one hand, it’s not hard to believe that he’s just a regular guy who works in a factory and dreams of a life of action and adventure. After all, he’s not exactly the muscle-bound tough guy that Schwarzenegger was in the original. He doesn’t look like a spy who’s simply posing as a factory worker. At the same time, though, he’s still scrappy enough that, when he’s backed into a corner and forced to fight, it seems completely natural. So, either way—whether he’s really a well-trained spy or just a normal guy in a chemically-induced dream sequence—it just makes sense.
It may not be new or original. It may have a few over-the-top moments and overplayed characters—and the story has its share of minor glitches. But Total Recall is still a worthwhile remake for those who are looking for a smarter alternative to the average brainless summer blockbuster.
Blu-ray Review:
It isn’t often that a film that wasn’t released by Disney comes with so many special features that it requires an extra Blu-ray disc—but that’s the case for Len Wiseman’s Total Recall. The feature disc includes both the theatrical cut and the extended director’s cut, which you can watch while listening to a commentary track by Wiseman, who’s eager to point out the extra parts while discussing some of the interesting little details involved in making the film—from the various props to John Cho’s bleached hair. You can also watch the film in Movie Insight Mode, which includes things like pop-up trivia and picture-in-picture behind-the-scenes footage, exploring everything from effects to the film’s score.
The extra Blu-ray disc comes with even more special features—like a lengthy but strangely entertaining gag reel and a number of behind-the scenes extras. Science Fiction vs. Science Fact discusses the various technologies portrayed in the film and how many of them may become reality in the not-too-distant future. Designing the Fall discusses the giant elevator that travels through the Earth’s core and how it was designed. The eight-part Total Action goes behind the scenes to show the making of some of the action sequences, with cast and crew members discussing the hard work—and good fun—that went into making the film. And Stepping into Recall shows the pre-visualization clips of five of the film’s action sequences.
If you want to know more about the film’s futuristic world and its thrilling action sequences, you won’t want to miss the extras on the bonus disc. For the average viewer, they’re not exactly essential, but fans will appreciate the opportunity to go behind the scenes of this gritty futuristic brain-bender.
