Total Recall
Tags: murder, violence, flashback, action, philosophical, brainwashing, sci-fi

Plot synopsis:
At the end of the 21st century, Earth is devastated by chemical warfare. What little habitable land remains is divided into two territories, the United Federation of Britain (UFB, located on the British Isles and western mainland Europe) and the Colony (Australia). Many residents of the Colony travel to the UFB to work in factories via “The Fall,” a gravity elevator running through the Earth’s core. A Resistance operating in the UFB, which the UFB views as a terrorist movement, seeks to improve life in the Colony.
Colony citizen Douglas Quaid has been having dreams of being a secret agent, aided by an unknown woman. Tired of his factory job building police robots with friend Harry, he visits Rekall, a virtual entertainment company that implants artificial memories. Among the choices Rekall salesman Bob McClane offers Quaid are the memories of a secret agent. An emblem of Rekall is stamped onto his arm. Just as Quaid is starting to be implanted, McClane discovers that he already has real memories of being a covert operative. As McClane starts to question Quaid about the memories, UFB police officers burst in, kill the Rekall crew, and attempt to arrest Quaid. Quaid instinctively reacts and kills the officers before escaping. Upon returning home his wife Lori attempts to kill him, revealing that she is an undercover UFB agent who has been monitoring him only for the past six weeks, and that she doesn’t know who or what he was. After Quaid escapes, Charles Hammond, a “friend” Quaid does not recognize, contacts him and directs him to a safe-deposit box numbered 10549 at First Bank. Quaid finds a recorded message from his former self with the address of a UFB apartment.
While being pursued by Lori and other human and robot police, Quaid meets Melina, the woman from his dreams. At the apartment Quaid finds another recording, revealing that his name is actually Carl Hauser, an agent working for UFB Chancellor Vilos Cohaagen. After defecting to the Resistance, Hauser was captured by the UFB and implanted with false memories. The recording reveals that Cohaagen will use robots to invade the Colony so the UFB will have more living space. Hauser, however, has seen a “kill code” that would disable the robots. The code can be recovered from his memory by Resistance leader Matthias. Melina reveals that she was Hauser’s lover before Hauser was captured; she proves that they knew each other by showing that they have matching scars from a time they were both shot while holding hands. The police surround the apartment building and Harry appears. He tries to convince Quaid that he is still in a Rekall-induced dream and that killing Melina is the only way out. Quaid is conflicted, but notices a tear on Melina’s cheek and shoots Harry instead. Lori pursues the pair inside the building's elevators, but fails to capture them.
Quaid and Melina meet with Matthias. While Matthias searches Quaid’s memories, Lori and Cohaagen storm the Resistance base. Cohaagen reveals that Hauser was in fact working for him without Quaid even knowing it due to the memory alteration, using the kill code as a trap. Cohaagen kills Matthias and arranges to restore Hauser’s memory before leaving with Melina as a prisoner. As the officers are about to inject Quaid, Hammond (revealed to be one of the police officers involved in the raid) sacrifices himself to help Quaid escape. Cohaagen begins his invasion of the Colony, loading The Fall with his army of robots. Quaid sneaks on board, setting timed explosives throughout the ship while searching for Melina. After freeing her, they climb atop The Fall as it arrives at the Colony. As they fight the soldiers and Cohaagen, Quaid's explosives detonate. Quaid and Melina jump off before the ship plummets back into the tunnel and explodes underground, killing Cohaagen and destroying his army and The Fall itself. Waking up in an ambulance, Quaid is greeted by Melina. When he notices that she is missing her scar, he realizes that she is Lori using a holographic disguise; they fight and Lori is killed. Quaid finds the real Melina outside the ambulance and they embrace. As news channels declare the independence of The Colony, Quaid looks up to find an advertisement of Rekall on an electronic billboard and sees that the stamp given by the Rekall crew on his arm is missing.

Review: If you've seen the original, then you know how it goes.Len Wiseman's remake of the same name replaces Arnold with Colin Farrell, in his first lead action role in years, while eliminating Mars as the backdrop of the action and replacing it with an overpopulated Earth where transportation from one corner to another occurs, literally, straight through the center of the earth.
Dick's own "Blade Runner" and "Minority Report".Farrell can act and is definitely a strong action lead and it shows here, as per the beautiful ladies Kate Beckinsale and Jessica Biel who both show off brawn over beauty here.
The best thing the screenwriters did is to combine Sharon Stone's and Michael Ironside's characters from the 1990 film into one, and as portrayed by Kate Beckinsale, she kicks serious ass here.The script is a near complete rehash of the original, save for the setting and the final act of the film.
Alas, the majority of the movie is laced with action sequences and sensational special effects (seriously, this is CGI porn) that may get this film a nomination for Best Visual Effects this year.
The PG-13 rating is justified, and there are indeed little homages to the original, but overall this remake is nothing more than a fast-paced, popcorn munching good waste of time, with some really nice CGI to chew on.However, I'd rather watch the old one again.
Dick's stories are no longer enough, and now a trend may follow either to remake the films that have already been done, to give it another spin for a new generation, or how about remaking all of the films starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, starting from Conan, and now Total Recall.
For sure, Colin Farrell can't step into the ex-Mr Universe's hulking frame in playing the construction worker turned double agent Douglas Quaid through what would seem like a fantasy walk in the park for the mind gone all wrong, but if you'd put away your memory of the past film, then his outing here would stand out against his recent slate of projects, bringing him back to action-hero mould even if Len Wiseman's vision here turned a little bit suspect.Fans of the original film will see only slight similarities in this one, since it took on a different adventure altogether after the familiar introduction.
Colin Farrell wears a scowl throughout, being perplexed and confused about his true identity in Jason Bourne style complete with mysterious artifacts stored in a safe deposit box, and having doubts to the role he has to play in the entire battle between the Haves and Have Nots.This Total Recall requires that you junk all memories of the Schwarzenegger film, in order to enjoy the new narrative involving a chemical fallout across all lands save for Britain and parts of Europe now being part of a Greater Britain, and Australia, known as The Colony (yes, some slight historical references here).
There's no Mars this time round, as the story gets set strictly on Earth, involving a carnival styled train service that commutes between the two territories, having to pass adjacent to the Earth's core, for some nifty CG effects involving gravitational force reversal.CG seemed to be what Director Len Wiseman ordered for the film, with green screen effects and CG laden landscapes peppering the entire movie, that makes you wonder about the tagline "What is real?" indeed.
It's big on action sequences and slight on actual story, with pauses only to allow the film to breathe a little, before embarking on yet another stunt sequence that involves plenty of running for Douglas Quaid, and his new found love interest / revolutionary partner Melina (Jessica Biel), as they escape from rooftops to elevators, pass through deadly three dimensional elevator shafts and tunnels, fighting their way past synthetic troopers ala Star Wars.
It does get pretty generic after a while, that these sequences all start to look very much the same, and probably a Star Wars: Clone Wars episode gone wrong.Also for the tagline of "What is real?", this remake doesn't really keep you in suspense in a what is, and what is not thought, because for this new generation of audiences, Len Wiseman probably considered it best if everything was spoonfed.
Once you can accept this movie as a standalone and not compare it to the original - I believe you will be very pleased.Special effects are wonderful, Story was fast paced and exciting, actors are some of the best in the industry, and to me - it was a Thrill Ride from beginning to end.The only reason I give it an 8 instead of 10 is because I wish the movie had been just a little longer for character development and so that the movie didn't feel so rushed.
I could also follow the plot and thought it was better developed in the previous version.Before the halfway-point I found myself checking my watch every 10 minutes or so, and my husband and I both admitted afterwards that we dozed off a couple times (in self-defense I think) - something I NEVER do when I go to a movie theater.
Fast paced action sequences kept me refreshed and the stunning Kate Beckinsale, who you may know from 'Underworld' and 'Van Helsing', nailed the antagonist role.The director, Len Wiseman, who previously surprised by making 'Live Free or Die Hard' a fantastic action film, has once again done his job well.
I couldn't wait for the drawn-out affair to end.The CGI elevators and car chase scenes were quite fantastic but with no story to back-up such graphics and artificial set, there was little point other than to wonder during the film why all the money went into the visuals and marketing and not into plot development or storyline.
If just some budget had gone to the story the film could have been wonderful.For those who never saw the original, I don't know how you will ever figure out what this movie is trying to say or accomplish other than to take some hard-earned money out of your wallet.This film in now on my Top Ten Worst Films of All Time list..
In the original, Arnie looked really confused by what was happening around him and viewers would have empathized with his predicament.Farrell, on the other hand, just seems to be going through the motion.The movie's atmosphere is also nothing new.
A lot of people watch this movie to see mutated human and mars, but to be honest, forget about the first film, it was great but this movie did a really good job using an old name but making a great action flick.
All the acting was superb, Colin and Bryan did a fantastic job, as well as Kate and Jessica (they both are my favorite Hollywood actress).Anyway, this film is a must watch for any Sci-fi fans, and remember try not to expect any old 1990 version before watching it - this film stand solid on its own as a great sci-fi + action film!.
OMG what is up with some people ragging on this movie I'm a huge fan of the original Arnie version, one of my faves of his work, and was very worried they'd mess this up but I loved every minute of it.Yes they have changed the story up a little, no longer set on mars but on a damaged Earth which has only two parts of the planet actually live-able anymore (not a spoiler as this is presented at the very start, written across the screen, and on all the board and IMDb).there is still a woman with 3 breasts but as she is wearing some kind of bra this was worthless to even have in it (and I am a straight woman, why bother to show 3 tits if no one sees them, lame) you've got two bad-ass female action stars (kate beckinsale and jessica biel), kicking a lot of ass including each others, loved it.
plus all 3 of the main stars look hot as hell.for anyone would loves the original, this remake will not disappoint, there are even some bits that show off the original at times like in station/customs scene "2 weeks".PLEASE IF YOU Haven't ALREADY WATCHED IT, DO SO NOW THIS IS AMAZE BALLS!!!!
thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it, I only put it on to check quality of it but was so engrossed I had to watch the whole film right there right then, even thought it was 7:30am after having worked the night shift, its that good.anyone young thats seen and enjoyed or plans to watch please also watch the original as its a great movie too, and we should never forget where it came from.
Compared to the original Total Recall film starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, this remake has Less twists, a less ambiguous ending and lacks the cynical dark humor that made the original so memorable.
Instead of keeping it ambiguous as to whether the events unfolding are real or part of Quaid's implanted fantasy, this remake spoils its own mystery for the audience.Director Len Wiseman brings in all that is good and bad in modern day film making into this movie.
Schwarzenegger's Quaid was the quintessential action hero but Ferrel's portrayal of the character had a greater sense of peril: he looks nothing like an action hero and this makes his transformation from everyman to savior of the downtrodden all the more powerful.Whether one finds this a good movie or not depends on whether one can accept the modern trends of science fiction film making.
After watching the Dark Knight Rises this summer, i never thought ill watch another very good and entertaining film this same summer, but i was wrong.after the average remake of Fright Night last year, Collin Farrel must have been worried about his second remake this year, Total Recall.
Try not to compare Arnie with Farrel and Beckinsale with Sharon Stone.Graphically, Total Recall is beautifully crafted with good CGI work.
Wished they actually gave character development.All I can say is, if you have already seen the original Total Recall, and was hoping it would have better graphics but still retain some of the story, you will end up having mixed feelings.For people who haven't seen the original you're lucky because you can see this Colin Farrell version as a prequel and then watch the Arnold version afterwards.
While the Arnold film has mutants and Mars and great, over-the-top 80s style action, this new film is a more direct take; it almost has a 'Minority Report' vibe.I've never been a fan of Colin Farrell, but he works well in this for some reason.
Nevertheless to mention, the new Total Recall keeps viewers less confused unlike the old version where the director had no idea how to end the movie.
As a remake or even as an original film this movie sucked, I was literally dozing off less than an hour in during one of the many chase scenes.
I never watched the "original" total recall movie, I guess this is why I liked that movie so much.I'm not a fan of the action genre but in this specific movie I gotta say that if you compare this one to other action films I've seen, this is one of the best.First, the action scenes are Amazing!
Don't get me wrong, the action sequences were cool; nevertheless they were uninspired and became boring by the end.This movie committed one of the cardinal sins of film making by injecting characters that nobody cared about.
In my opinion the story line was quite different from the original, which I found to be a good thing.If you're looking for an easy to watch movie that exciting and fun, (and let's be honest who doesn't like a girl on girl fight between Jennifer Beal and Kate Beckinsale), then watch this movie, it's fun.
Total Recall could have been a good remake if it cares more to the story's idea than throwing away all the CGI effects on screen..
Total Recall is a remake of Arnold Schwarzenegger's 1990′s campy sci-fi action movie.
Before this film I didn't have high expectations from Colin Farell and Jessica Beil but I was looking forward to Kate Beckinsale's performance and to Len Wiseman's directing being a fan of his work already.
When the original Total Recall came out, it had a lot of really cool special effect, a truly engaging storyline, some of the hottest actors/actresses in the business, and was basically a decent movie.
...just got back from the new Total Recall.I, as probably everyone seeing this movie, were big fans of the original Arnie/Verhoeven epic.
And the art direction and set design were top notch.John Cho actually has a pretty cool cameo, as well.The bad:Expecting Colin Farrell and Jessica Biel to be able to carry a movie.
Overall, it is good but easily forgettable.Rating: 6/10Final Verdict: This "Total Recall" remake is an energetic sci-fi effort filled with endless action, pleasing visual effects, and cool fictional inventions that is easily forgettable..
When the trailer for the new version of the film debuted it gave the hope of delivering something kind of cool, but with a PG-13 rating will it be able deliver the much needed action and sci-fi originality to do it justice or will it be one you wish was just a memory?
This is a movie that should be watched more for the action than anything else and it delivers as the majority of the film is non-stop action, just slowing down enough to deliver some aspect of a story.Most will be upset about the lack of Mars in this version, but they still created an interestingly clever world to work in.
Directed by Len Wiseman, who seems to have an unhealthy fixation with lens flares, and starring Colin Farrell, Kate Beckinsale, Jessica Biel and Bryan Cranston, "Total Recall" (a substantially worse remake of the 1990 Arnold Schwarzenegger/Paul Verhoeven action adventure) tells the story of a seemingly depressed factory worker named Douglas Quaid.
Don't get me wrong, there are loads of action sequences, loads of visual effects, and loads of things blowing up, BUT every one of these aspects is handled with such flippancy (there is never any sense of danger or thought that Quaid may not survive) that the mind-numbing blandness becomes palpable, resulting in audiences checking their watches twenty minutes in.The Problem with Remaking Arnold Schwarzenegger Classics: Since Arnold was such a cartoonish (and larger than life) character in and of himself, and there is no real action star of today (maybe The Rock) that can hold the same screen presence while delivering his lines with a knowingly cornball voracity, filmmakers wishing to remake an Arnold classic are time and time again plagued by the "lack-of-Schwarzenegger" Syndrome.
And I'm sorry, these one-liners in particular sound utterly ridiculous coming out of the mouths of Farrell and Beckinsale.Final Thought: This remake of "Total Recall" is so underwhelming and forgettable, that other than some watchable A-list acting, the entire thing feels like a SyFy Channel made for T.V. movie (and some may enjoy that).
What's more all the advance reviews I'd read said much the same.The shocking thing is though that now I've seen it for real I think it's not only a fun action movie but I actually slightly prefer it to the original.
The 1990 movie did a better job of exploring this theme, and Arnold was actually more convincingly human in his bewilderment over what was happening to him than Colin Farrell is here.The sad thing here is that most of the film's 1:58 running time is devoted to chases, crashes, and gunfights.
The new Total Recall movie relies on a completely CGI created world and special effects to try to wow you into ignoring the horrible story line and mediocre (at best) acting.
So I just finished watching the new 'Total Recall' staring Colin Farrell and Kate Beckinsale/ Jessica Biel and I have to say that I really enjoyed this movie!I am a huge fan of the original and most Arnold movies in general.
Although they did recall to add the chick with 3 breasts, other than this minor detail, the movie was something totally different than the first; which would be OK except for the fact that the original was great.
Though it boasts impressive special effects and decent--if increasingly repetitive--action sequences, the re-make of 'Total Recall' is ultimately undermined by a weak script and dull performances.Colin Farrell, Kate Beckinsale, Jessica Biel, Bryan Cranston are all solid actors, but their performances here lack energy and charisma.
Characters don't really stand out much, and the story overall just feels like it's using the structure of the original film as a mere template for all the action scenes and cool ideas.
Sci-fi fans and action junkies might want to give this new take a look; it's about as good (or as bad) as something like The Day The Earth Stood Still remake.
It's a fast paced, action packed film that's awesome for action buffs like me.So If you're into futuristic films with awesome special effects and out-of-this-world spy type fight scenes--- then Total Recall is this week's movie must!.
I personally have not seen the original Total Recall Movie, thus have nothing to compare it to.
So this is what we to have for a sci-fi remake of Arnold's original Total Recall?
But just because it managed to redeem itself doesn't mean that the movie was any good; rather, TOTAL RECALL the remake is one of the most mediocre films I've seen this year.I wasn't expecting the most original Ridley Scott level sci-fi story from the remake but to call the storyline of the new RECALL as "cliched" is an understatement.
But Arnie did a good job in Total recall (1990), in fact excellent, way better then Colin in this movie.