Total Recall
Here Is What You Need To Know:
Released in 1990, Total Recall has stood the test of time and remains a science-fiction classic. And yes, this movie too is based on a Philip K. Dick work. Total Recall played with ideas and concepts that most people at the time had never considered, but are increasingly becoming part of mainstream popular thought, such as the distant possibility of electronically storing human memory.
Total Recall is such a great flim, such a fun film, that I will intentionally keep the specifics at a mini so as not to ruin it and hopefully only reveal enough to entice, which is always my aim where good films are concerned. Governor Arnold plays a construction worker,Douglas, who visits a company that implants fake memories of great trips. Douglas decides on the trip to Mars package and this begins a series of events that leaves the audience trying to determine what is real and what is fantasy. While this concept has been played with in many films since Total Recall, few have done it better.
What Was Cool:
-Total Recall is one of those films that grabs you from the beginning and never lets go. There are no trivial or uninteresting moments.
-The action is great, the visuals are great, and the script will stimulate more cerebral activity than most big-budget mainstream science-fiction.
-Sharon Stone was actually very attractive back in 1990 and the subject of many a crush I am sure.
-The portrayal of life on Mars is wonderful and there are many well drawn supporting characters that make the most of their screen time.
-The completely underrated Ronny Cox once again delivers and let's not forget Michael Ironside as Richter, just try, if you can, to forget his work in Highlander 2-The Crappening.
What Was Stupid:
-The film would have probably made less money with a different lead but no doubt a better actor could have done wonders for Total Recall and perhaps elevated it to a true classic and not just a classic science-fiction film.
-While there are flaws in the science, as is almost always the case in these Hollywood science-fiction films, the flaws are not enough to really hurt the film. If only the producers would hire good consultants to consult on the science aspects of these scripts. If only...
The Film's Real Genius or Geniuses:
-Director Paul Verhoeven may have screwed his reputation with the despicable and embarrassing Showgirls, but he helps make Total Recall a complete blast.
Overlooked Performance/Accomplishment:
Rachel Ticotin as Melinda
Story A
Use of Science A
Acting B
Portrayal of Women B+ (Strong women characters who even throw punches and pull guns, now we're getting somewhere.)
Visuals-Visuals and Special Effects A
Visuals-Set Design/Props A
Wardrobe/Costumes A
Style/Sex Appeal B
Enjoyability Grade A
Home Theater/HD Factor A
Gut Check (Level of Studio Executive Guts) C (Once you have Arnold signed how much guts does it take?)
Overall Innovation A
Overall Grade A
A Little Fact About Cherie:
This was the first time I was exposed to the concept of women with three breasts.
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