What is real? What is recall? These are the questions the trailer
asks us as we journey through the puzzles in this supposed psychological
action film.
Total Recall is a remake of the 1990 Arnold
Schwarzenegger film of the same name. It centers around a man who find
himself bored with life and wanting to fill a piece of himself that he
thinks is missing, he just doesn’t know what it is yet. Once strapped
into a chair at an organization called “Rekall” (why they spell it that
why I’m not really sure), Quaid (Colin Ferrell) is thrust into this cat
and mouse escapade where people (including his wife) want him dead and
where he has the skills of a secret agent. Is Quaid an agent or not?
That is the big question this movie throws at us, with some fun and
exciting acting sequences, while we try and piece it all together.
The best thing about the movie are the action scenes. That fact right
there will give most of you comfort because this is an action movie
after all. People are going to want and expect great action to get the
adrenaline pumping and this movie has a lot of it. You’ll especially
love it if you are a fan of Sci-Fi movies in general, because
the weaponry and set pieces used for the action to take place are really
breathtaking. I will admit, I did find myself a tad bored during the
first half hour or so of this movie. I have no problem with dialogue or
character development because all good movies need that to move forward.
But in this case, the first half hour was boring because it didn’t seem
like it had much going for it. The emotion is pretty vacant and the
futuristic set pieces, while cool to look at, really don’t “pop” until
the action takes place. In an age where everything seems to be filmed
using shaky cam and often unnecessary 3D conversions, it was a real
treat to see straight forward, well choreographed action stunts.
When people go into an action movie, they don’t necessarily expect
the performances to be praiseworthy. I’m not looking for Oscar-calibre
stuff here, just that they can fit the role and play it well. There are
big stars in this movie (Colin Farrell, Jessica Biel, Kate Beckinsale,
Bryan Cranston), and most of them don’t go past average. The best
performance out of the ensemble, to me, was Beckinsale. She creates a
crazy, action-hungry character that could potentially lead her own
spin-off movie if they wanted to go that route. I’m all for watching a
beautiful woman wielding a gun while taking control of the situation
around her any day. As for everybody else, as I said, they are average
at best. Colin Farrell serves as a much better replacement
to Schwarzenegger than I thought he would, but he still lacks that
leading man charm that everybody looks for in their action heroes.
Jessica Biel is kind of in the same boat. She plays a woman who knows
the truth about Farrell’s character and tries to help him put the pieces
together while completing a task at hand. For the most part she was
fine, but she never did anything that made me think “wow, she is the
only one who could have done that.” I feel like Scarlett Johansson or
Angelina Jolie could have played the role and it would have been the
exact same.
When thinking back on the movie as I sat down to write this review, I
don’t think I had as much fun as I wanted to have. Sure, the action was
exciting, the set pieces are well thought out and the acting certainly
didn’t ruin anything. So what was it? Well, I’ve seen the original 1990
version and think that is the better one. It has a much darker tone, but
has a much bigger feel and works as a better mind-bender than this one.
However, I think if had not seen that one, then this one would have
been a much better experience to sit through. The scenes that revolve
around the tension of whether or not Quaid is in the chair back at
Rekall, living his fantasy, or an actual secret agent actually seemed
boring because you know the twists and turns the story is going to take
before it takes them. Basically, if you plan on seeing this movie
anytime soon during it’s theater run, then watch this one first. I know
that sounds crazy because the original one is the better of the two, but
you will have a better theater experience not knowing anything at all.
Then, I would watch the original after. That way you had fun with this
movie but can now appreciate the one that came before it as a better
movie.
This is summer – the time when blockbusters reign supreme. Some
people want the art house films, but unfortunately, they’ll have to wait
a little longer. Right now,
Total Recall (2012) gives any action junkie their fill of what they came for – fun summer entertainment. I enjoyed myself watching
Total Recall
and I really hope it finds its audience. Despite the flaws, it is a
thrill ride that’s heavy on the action. Just don’t expect to remember
much of it down the road.
Grade: B-
My Salivary glands are over working now , mmmhh look at that weird granny on the KFC logo ,what a sarcastic smile that portrays (bring your money Kid). 
I know some of you would say "oohh this idiot is such a food monger" oh yeah if that's what you think of me then its right ,but call me a food monger only for KFC otherwise you will get a heavy punch.
Bring the fancy looking place to my country too,bring the taste of chicken to my home ,after few beers with my lads that full bucket of chicken will do. come on....
Hahahahah i love the above image,i always annoy my sister when i show it to her,she is a pain i tell you,she owns a iphone that makes her go around bragging much ,i own my Android .
