 Total Recall - One of Arnold Schwarzenegger's best films! |
| Review Date: January 19, 2004 |
| Reviewer: K. Wyatt, St. Louis, MO United States |
| "Total Recall" is, quite simply, one of Arnold Schwarzenegger's best action flicks and quite obviously, one of the ones that helped build his super star status at the time of its release. When this outstanding Sci-Fi action/thriller was released, it was right in the middle of Arnold Schwarzenegger's run of films where he could seemingly do no wrong. After watching the "Imagining Total Recall" documentary, it's even more surprising to find out that the original director wasn't Paul Verhoeven and the original Douglas Quaid wasn't to be Arny but Patrick Swayze; now that would've been an almost entirely different movie. Despite the exceptional script, I doubt Patrick Swayze would've garnered the attention that Arnold did for this memorable flick. One of the most interesting aspects behind the script of this film is the overall theme behind it, was it "real" or was it Douglas Quaid's Total Rekall experience? Another highly interesting aspect of this film is its supposed sequel which may have been scrapped for Arnold Schwarzenegger's bid for and election as the Governor of Kalifornia! If you pull up the Cast and Crew Information under the Special Features section and click on Arnold's screen, you'll see a listing for Total Recall 2 (2002), something that obviously hasn't happened but who knows what will happen in the future! Credit goes to Arnold for his performance in this film, which was an exceptional display in that his acting skills were only getting better and better; granted, he's not the best actor in the industry, but for his type of movies, he was at the top when this film was released. Sharon Stone puts on a wonderful performance in this film and this film can most certainly be directly attributed to being the one that led to her super stardom and being cast for some of her bigger roles. Ronny Cox also does another superior job of being the villain in this movie, a role he has always done well in. For Star Trek Voyager fans, it's interesting to note that Robert Picardo does the voiceover for the Johnny Cab. "Total Recall" is just another in a long list of outstanding and somewhat gory action flicks for director Paul Verhoeven. In this genre, he can most certainly be counted among the best directors to ever take up the mantle. Phillip K. Dick, the author of the short story "We Can Remember it for You Wholesale," the story that "Total Recall" is based upon, also wrote the story that "Blade Runner" was based upon and many more; just showing what a talent this writer has been. The Premise: Douglas Quaid (Arnold Schwarzenegger) wakes up to find himself lying next to Lori (Sharon Stone), who he believes to have been his loving wife for the last eight years. Quaid expresses that he wishes to go to Mars but Lori doesn't want anything to do with it. As Quaid is coming home from work, he sees an advertisement for Total Rekall where he can take a virtual vacation and decides to try it. Not long after his virtual vacation begins, this action flick takes off on a breathtaking wild ride that doesn't slow down until the credits start rolling... I highly recommend this film to any and all who're interested in seeing one of the best Sci-Fi action movies ever made. One note of caution though, this film is not for the young, faint of heart or weak of stomach as is the norm with a Paul Verhoeven film. To achieve the film he's looking for, he doesn't spare the gore at all! {ssintrepid} Special Features: -Audio Commentary with Arnold Schwarzenegger and Director Paul Verhoeven
-"Imagining Total Recall" Documentary
-Rekall's Virtual Vacations
-"Visions of Mars" Featurette (This is especially interesting considering we have a rover on Mars right now)
-Visual Storyboard Comparisons
-Conceptual Art
-Photo Gallery
-Production Notes
-Theatrical Trailers and TV Spots
-Cast and Crew Information |
One of the all-time great science-fiction films.
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| Review Date: February 12, 2004 |
| Reviewer: D. Mok, Los Angeles, CA |
| Total Recall is not only Arnold Schwarzenegger's best film; it is also one of the most complex cinematic statements ever made about reality, technology and totalitarianism. The script is cracklingly smart, with multiple setups and payoffs that require repeated viewing to fully comprehend. And the world of Total Recall is filled with little details that are now becoming closer and closer to reality: The "nature" wallpaper in Doug Quaid (Schwarzenegger)'s apartment; the "instant fingernail polish"; the "virtual space trip" that forms the core of the film's conceit; and the equation of government and corporation. As Doug Quaid, Schwarzenegger brings his trademark humour and one-liners. They fit the character well, making his quest for identity all that much more entertaining to watch; Sharon Stone has her breakthrough role as his insidious wife Lori; Rachel Ticotin is suitably heroic as sidekick Melina; and Ronny Cox offers up yet another terrific turn as villain Cohaagen, a much more complex and human character than his character in RoboCop, Dick Jones. Cox has a way of chewing up megalomaniacal lines yet also bringing moments of realness and vulnerability to his character, and as a result the film acquires a much richer psychological layer. All in all, this film's greatest power lies in its sociological concepts. "Blue sky on Mars"; "more freedom, more air"; "the walls of reality come crashing down"; "your whole life is just a dream"; "if I'm not me, who the hell am I?" Each little detail is worth days of pondering over if you're the kind of viewer who likes to analyze text, and if you're not, you can always revel in Verhoeven's effortless virtuosic filmmaking, the extremely brisk narrative, and the over-the-top action set pieces, where Verhoeven once again sets new standards for both bloodlust and kinetic energy. |
A Limited Special Edition DVD in a novel keepcase design!
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| Review Date: July 10, 2001 |
| Reviewer: Woodyellio, Montgomery, AL United States |
| "Total Recall" is set in the distant future after humans have colonized Mars. Vacation packages in this alternate reality are a couch potato's paradise. Now, all one has to do to take a "vacation" is to sit on a high-tech recliner while your chosen vacation program is downloaded, installed and ready to run right into your subconscious mind. The average consumer can also purchase "implanted memories." The main character, Douglas Quaid (Arnold Schwarzenegger), is troubled by recurring dreams about a journey to Mars. To help figure out the meaning of his dreams, Quaid visits Rekall, Inc. where they sell implanted memories. While Quaid is undergoing the treatment he recalls a time in his life when he was a secret agent fighting against the evil Mars administrator (Rony Cox). Quaid finds himself in a nightmarish reality of a Martian mining colony controlled by a terrorizing dictator and rebellious Martians. Meanwhile, he is contacted by members from Rekall, Inc. who attempt to bring him back from an implanted program gone awry. Lori Quaid (Sharon Stone), his wife, is sent into the program ("The Lawnmower Man," and the more recent movie, "The Cell" come to mind) to bring him back from his coma-like state. Quaid is confronted with the difficulty in choosing which reality to accept as the true reality. Is Quaid really a secret agent or is he just imagining that he is due to the program? Which path does he choose? Does he run the course of the program until the secret agent saves everyone or does he choose to take a pill ("Matrix" style) so that Rekall, Inc. can recover him from the errors of the program? The first DVD release of "Total Recall" was a double-sided DVD with one side containing a 1.85:1 non-anamorphic widescreen presentation, and the other side containing a "standard" presentation. The extras were average containing cast and crew histories, a teaser trailer, and a full trailer. This title has now been revisited with a new anamorphic widescreen presentation, plenty of special features, and packaged in a unique collectible tin "Mars" DVD case! Special features that appear on this new Limited Special Edition DVD include the "Imagine Total Recall" documentary that takes you behind-the-scenes with the film's stars, including a new rare interview with legendary actor Arnold Schwarzenegger! The DVD also features an audio commentary with director Paul Verhoeven and actor Arnold Schwarzenegger, a "Mars: Fact or Fiction" featurette, "Rekall's Virtual Vacation," and the "Visions of Mars" featurette! Artisan Entertainment is producing this new Limited Special Edition DVD of "Total Recall." Artisan is the same company that gave us the highly collectible "Terminator 2: Ultimate Edition" DVD! I expect similar results with this new reissue to be released on September 18, 2001! |
"See you at the party Richter."
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| Review Date: September 15, 2001 |
| Reviewer: , Atlanta, GA |
Total Recall is one of those movies I can watch over and over and never get sick of. It is what every true Arnold fan wants in an Arnold flick. And aside from being one of Arnold's best films it is a very great sci-fi flick period.
Arnold plays everyman Douglas Quaid, a guy living an average life on the near future earth who is obsessed with the idea of going to Mars(which is colonized). He decides to go to a futuristic company called Recall, which sells it's customers memories of vacations they did not really take. Quaid decides to do it and while the salesman is making his pitch he poses the question, "what is the same about every vaction you have ever taken?" The answer: You. So Quaid buys the secret agent package and that is when the action begins. Suddenly everyone is out to get Quaid and he can't figure it out, all he knows is he has to get his "a** to Mars." He does and the film really takes off with mutants, rebels, women, corruption, double crossing, heavy carnage, planet saving, and Arnold, smack in the middle of all of it. The story in summary can actually be found within the movie, which is a very unusual plot device, but it works in this film. The guy at Recall says by the time this is over you will kill the bad guys, get the girl, and save the planet. So is Total Recall a dream or a reality. This question is one of the things that makes it such an engaging movie because you don't know. Really though the best part of this film is Arnold. He is in tip top form in this film and it is certainly one of his best. The character allows him all the elements to shine, odds against him, guys always trying to fight him, lots of guns, and terrific one-liners. Paul Verhoeven(Robocop, Basic Instict) has crafted a awesome film. The set direction is great and it makes the fantastic action that much better. Sure Verhoeven may get a little carried away with violent nature of his action, but would anyone really want this film any other way? Not me. Total Recall is a blast. On an additional note I just picked up the DVD Collector's Edition and it is a must have for fans. The commentary with Verhoeven and Arnold is hilarious and the making of's are very well done. This is one of those films that will become a classic over time because that is what it is, CLASSIC. |
BRAIN DUMP
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| Review Date: February 15, 2005 |
| Reviewer: Michael Butts, Martinsburg, WV USA |
Paul Verhoeven's stylish non-stop action TOTAL RECALL is one of Arnold's better movies. Featuring the now classic "consider this a divorce" scene, TOTAL RECALL bristles with electrical tension and brutally explicit action and violence. Based on a short story by Philip Dick, the movie focuses on Arnie, whose memories have been wiped away and when he discovers that, it leads him to Mars and confrontations with nasty guys that want him dead. Considering that this is a 1990 film, the special effects, set design, costuming, etc. are very impressive, as is the late Jerry Goldsmith's atmospheric score.
Arnie is Arnie, who has never made us think of him as a serious actor, but this is his kind of movie, and he is surrounded with some competent supporting performers: Rachel Ticotin as Melina, his love from his previous life, who exudes a smoldering sensuality; the then lesser known Sharon Stone, who plays Arnie's "wife" with a mixture of flirtatious sexuality and out and out viciousness; the irrepressible Michael Ironside, the consummate villain chewing up the scenery; and Ronny Cox as the nasty Coalhagen, who is masterminding all the trouble on Mars to meet his own excessive needs.
This is one of those movies you can enjoy more than once, to savor the lush topography of Mars and Sharon Stone getting her just rewards. |
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