Review of Total Recall (1990) by Private U — 09 Mar 2016

Packed with plenty of action, humor and unforgettable quotes and death scenes, Total Recall delivers on everything you'd expect from an Arnold Schwarzenegger flick, plus a lot more. The 1990 sci-fi adventure builds off many of the thematic undertones explored in its predecessor Blade Runner, but with a less dark and relatively more light-hearted approach.

In the year 2084, Douglas Quaid (Schwarzenegger) continually experiences a troubling dream about dying from exposure on Mars while traveling with a mysterious woman. Against the advice of his fellow construction worker, Quaid purchases a virtual vacation to the red planet from a company called Rekall, which promises customized and completely authentic memories that are implanted into your brain. However, his body rejects the digital memory while it is processing. He becomes hostile towards the scientists in charge and obsessed with the idea that he is actually a secret agent with an important mission, an aspect of the tailor-made trip he opted for.

Quaid is eventually subdued and wakes up in a taxi with no recollection of the experience. After being attacked by his coworkers on the way home and nearly killed by his wife, Quaid is left with a blurred definition of who is who and what is and isn't real. Pursued by his former spouse and dozens of others, he must now fight for his life while trying to put the pieces of his memory back together to decipher what he and his purpose really are.

An essential component to an enjoyable science fiction flick is the believability of the environment, society and characters inhabiting it. All those qualities appear genuine and well-designed. From robot-operated taxis to background conversations on the increased price of air, the futuristic world of Total Recall operates with a high degree of plausibility.

Not only is this film amusing and lit up by superbly generated effects and gore-infused mayhem, it also succeeds in making you think. There are themes on corporate greed and the potential disaster that could arise from billion-dollar companies colonizing and mining other planets. The wealth of diverse human, alien and mutant life being exploited for monetary gain creates pathos and sends a well-received message of equality and tolerance to the audience.

There is something for fans of any genre to enjoy here with the only real disappointment being that Schwarzenegger doesn't end up with Sharon Stone in the end. What a power couple that would've been!