Total Recall (1990)
They stole his mind. Now he wants it back.
Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Rachel Ticiton, Sharon Stone, Ronny Cox, Michael Ironside, Marshall Bell, Mel Johnson Jr., Michael Champion, Roy Brocksmith, Ray Baker, Rosemary Dunsmore, David Knell, Alexia Robinson, Dean Norris, Mark Calton
Director: Paul Verhoeven
Running Time: 113 minutes
US MPAA rating: N/AUK BBFC rating: 18
Action, Adventure, Science Fiction, Thriller
On DVD Mild-mannered construction worker Douglas Quaid (Arnold Schwarzenegger) is a man obsessed with Mars. He dreams about it, wants to move there, loves the chocolate bar - you get the picture. Unfortunately, when he tries to talk his wife Lori (Sharon Stone) into going there, she gives him: "What about Saturn? Don't you want to see Saturn?" Women, eh? They just don't understand.
This gaudy futuristic action-fest is generally remembered for its considerable level of violence and stand-out special effects (it took the special achievement award for visual effects at the '91 Oscars). What tends to be overlooked, however, is that it also has an intriguing storyline which has us never quite sure of whether we're watching reality or a bizarre dream world.
Quaid, you see, finds his peaceful life in tatters after he visits "Rekall" (sic), a company offering to implant the memories of fake holiday experiences into its customers' minds as a cheap alternative to going on a genuine vacation. He takes the full package, and has his noggin filled with the recollections of a Mars-based secret agent who batters the baddies, saves the planet, and gets the girl (an under-whelming Rachel Ticotin). The trouble is, when he tries to get back to his normal life, he finds it isn't quite as normal as it used to be. Let's hope he's kept his receipt.
Based on the Philip K. Dick novel 'We Can Remember It For You Wholesale' (other movies based on his writings include 'Blade Runner',
DVD Extras: Two trailers and a 'Making Of' featurette.
It's Got: A quickie divorce.
It Needs: Someone to turn on the oxygen.
Alternatives: Blade Runner, Minority Report, Paycheck
Summary: Classic Arnie - dated, but still enjoyable.
Review by Gary Panton
Review Date: 30th January 2004
External Links
Total Recall at the IMDB
Comments1 Comment |
| I was wondering who was the voice of kato in total recal..was it peter fonda?.. |
| Comment by:- pau | | 20 August 2004 | ip: logged |
