A Museview of Len Wiseman's Total Recall

Total Recall:

Living in the Shadow of 1990!

Director: Len Wiseman

Starring: Colin Farrell, Kate Beckinsale, Jessica Biel


I'll start by saying that this film has a hard act to follow, not because the original was a masterwork. But rather it is because many of us have fond memories of "Arnold's Recall" due to the fact it is a movie of our youth. Lets face it, the 1990 movie was a fun movie and I love it!  But, by no means do I consider it a "classic" that no one should attempt to remake. I'm not sure why many fans  of the original just want to see a rehash of a quirky film made in 1990. I didn't go to this movie hoping see the same thing I saw in 1990 but rather I went hoping to see a movie that would  bring new life to Philip K. Dick's original short story, "We Can Remember it for You Wholesale" (1966).   Did I get that? Well...no. Dick's story is about a man named Quail who goes to a company called Rekal, Inc. because he is obsessed with going Mars. When he goes to Rekal  for his fake memory implants things go awry since he actually is a government assassin who has had his memory erased. That is where both movies stop following Dick's storyline. But, as with the original film, I was ok with the straying from story.

 The updated version isn't as quirky as the original, it has more grit to the story and overall look to the film. It does, however, pay homage to Arnold's movie with many visual references which fans will recognize. Wiseman also throws in a few funny one liners in  "a la Schwarzenegger "style but, that is where they comparisons end. I went to this movie with rather low expectations, nevertheless, I left the movie a satisfied customer. I know that's not a glowing review but this movie hit my criteria for a good review from the SciFi Chick.  (For a detailed look at my criteria click on this link to read what to expect from a SciFi Chick review: A Museview. )

3 out of 5 SciFi Chicks would recommend Total Recall (2012)

So, I will quickly list a spoiler free list of why I liked Wiseman's version of Total Recall.

• Kick Ass Female Leads: Jessica Biel is a break out action hero and of course we get treated to the badassness of Kate Beckensale. 

• Special Effects: Wiseman goes out of his way to pay visual  homage to films based on Philip K. Dick short stories.  It has the techno-orientalism of Blade Runner based on Dick's Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? (1968).  It also, has  the shiny, slick cars and the glass interfaces from  Minority Report (1956). This might have some audiences crying foul but I salute the "visual shout out " to the other  Philip K. Dick films.

• Outstanding Supporting cast:  Bryan Cranston, Billy Nighy  were fantastic and to my delight John Cho  makes an appearance as the Rekal, Inc. merchant, McClane.

• Overall, I stuck with the story and I had fun. Sure, I rolled my eyes a few times but I did the same in 1990.  So,  I didn't expect this film would be free of "cheese". If you decide to see the movie just go with the flow, don't expect to relive  the 1990 film.  Many of reviews I  read said they were "disappointed" because "it wasn't as good as the Schwarzenegger's". But, since I wasn't trying to compare, I wasn't disappointed. I had a good time! If you just want to see a remake of 1990 film, don't go and just wait for pay-per-view.  But, if need a day out for some fun escapist Scifi, I say "GO"!

Check out the Trailer:

The SciFi Chick's "Museview" Criteria.

Since I am about to write my first Museview, (movie review) for this blog, I will provide the  ratings criteria.

• Strong Female Leads. I am sure it's apparent to those who follow this blog that strong female character types rank very high on my list of must have in my fiction.
• FXs: Do the special effects enhance or distract my viewing experience.
• Do I find myself rolling my eyes? I go to the movies for escapism, and I do not expect it try to imitate real life. However, when sci-fi goes wrong it can go really wrong (Battlefield Earth anyone?). If I am rolling my eyes rather being involved in the plot then it's probably a "stinker".
• Am I having FUN? I don't expect every sci-fi film I attend to be the next Blade Runner or Lord of The Rings, I just want have a good time. If the movie is as good as a LOTR's then, that is when the 5 out 5 rating will happen!
• Preconceived Notions: I admit that "hype" about a film will affect my expectations. If I am told by the masses that a movie is..." going to be a sci-fi classic" or "it blew my mind" those kinds of statements tend to influence my opinions. It's always disappointing when someone oversell a film and then it doesn't live up to the hype.
• Source Material: If a movie is based on a short story or novel, I will judge the movie based on missing or changed storyline. That doesn't mean if it didn't follow the book exactly I hated it, sometimes the changes made in a story are for the better.

I am not trying to be a professional movie reviewer . I'm just a sci-fi fan sharing her musings about a film.

Below is my rating scale:

5 out 5 SciFi Chicks recommend = LOVE IT! It's a must see! New Classic!

4 out 5 SciFi Chicks recommend= Great Film.  It's a must see!

3 out 5 SciFi Chicks recommend= Fun film, more than likely fluff, but I enjoyed.

2 out 5 SciFi Chicks recommend= It was ok, wait for pay per view.

1 out 5 SciFi Chicks recommend= Not good enough pay for it, wait for it Netflix or HBO

0 out 5 SciFi Chicks recommend= STINKS, Skip it!