Review of Total Recall (2012) by Jesse M — 29 May 2014

Director's cut...

A less silly more serious approach to Philip K. Dick's original story. This time we don't have Mars, or mutants, or lack of oxygen... oh and no Arnold to offer up his larger than life presence. The original film is a classic among Schwarzenegger's canon, but it was made more to serve him than the source material to which it was based on.

In this readaptation we have a bit of a cross mix between Dick's other adaptations of Minority Report and Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep (Blade Runner). If they had a kid together, it would be this movie.

This is a visually fantastic movie though that easily blows the original away technically. The world that Director Len Wiseman built is endlessly inventive and new with every minute that goes by. The fx are top shelf and turns up the cool factor full blast. In terms of fx, production design, and action this movie delivers in spades.

However it doesn't change the game up too much so the result is a little predictable since it is a retelling. Plot elements changed, but the core story remains completely intact. Also it does at times pander to the fans of Arnold's film which comes off put of place. The 3 breasted hooker is back... but she's not a mutant. She's a plastic surgery junkie x10. I generally frown upon cheap fan service, but this film does it rarely.

The cast is made up of very talented people. Colin Ferrell makes a more believable hero, Kate Beckonsale is a delicious villainess (highlight among the cast), Bryan Cranston is an impressive jerk but not quite Ronny Cox's original performance, and Jessica Biel is a hot badass.

Overall this is not so much a matter of which film fares better than what, but just preference. I myself prefer the remake in terms of an updated visual aesthetic, the less over the top nature, and the remake works more as an interpretation of Philip K. Dick's work. I will say that the 1990 film is more fun, humorous, and a great "Arnold" film, but it's essentially a star vehicle with layers of cheese on it. Now this remake fits better with Minority Report and Blade Runner. It's more focused on the concept and story than the superstar. A worthy remake despite the familiar plotline, and one of the better sci fi action thrillers in the genre.