One of the greatest sci-fi films of all time

Rating: 9/10 (22 October 2005)

Total Recall is one of many films that made Arnold Schwarzenegger exactly what he is...an action superstar. Not only that but Total Recall is exactly what it was set out to be a sci-fi epic from the fantastic mind of writer Philip Dick (Paycheque, Minority Report.) Total Recall takes the sci-fi film to epic proportions and makes it almost fantasy like. The biggest difference between Dick's stories compared to some other sci-fi writers like Gene Rodenberry is that Dick's future doesn't try to be accurate. Total Recall could happen in another reality altogether. There is a fantasy like epic to it.
Another one of the great things about Total Recall is it was made in a time before CGI become so dominant. The special effects are resoundingly real, painstakingly created, things are not "faked." The world they create is dark, gloomy, futuristic, very gritty. The film takes you from Earth to Mars, and creates two very different types of setting for each planet. The film is not about the technology or the future or the planets, these things are just normal ideas for the characters in the film...Total Recall is about Douglas Quaid played by Arnold Schwarzenegger. Starting out as a regular every day Joe and eventually leading him to a former life where he existed as a killing machine, a secret agent, and a major player in a government conspiracy. Everything unfolds at perfect speed and this film is the definition of non-stop action. The chases, the shootouts, the incredible fight scenes and the extreme goriness of it all like only an eighties "R" Rated film could do. They don't make movies like this period!! The film is chock full of no holds barred gore. The death scenes are brutal and some of the special effects are just stunning. The effect used to warp the faces of humans who breath the martian air is shocking and disturbing and funny all at once.
The characters are very real and strong but mostly focusing on Quaid. Schwarzenegger easily holds his own in the film but the rest of the cast is quite good too. Sharon Stone in a pre-Basic Instinct role as the conniving wife of Quaid who turns out to be his enemy. Their fights and her skills as an action star are just awesome. Michael Ironside in his usual bad guy role is good as well but it's not a stretch for him as he's used to this kind of role. Rachel Ticotin as Schwarzenegger's love interest also does a decent enough job. Just like they're are Bond girls, I also like to think there is Eighties Action Girls. Top Gun had Kelly McGillis, RoadHouse had Kelly Lynch and so on...they aren't great actresses but they are used as more eye candy than anything else. But she does an alright job. This film really is made great by the script and Schwarzenegger. It's a Star Wars level epic about the future and this man. It is hands down an absolute must see for Sci-fi fans!! It truly is one of the best action films ever!! It was quite simply awesome!! 9/10