MPAA Rating: R/Genre: Sci-Fi Action/Stars: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Rachel Ticotin, Sharon Stone, Ronny Cox, Michael Ironside, Marshall Bell, Michael Champion, Mel Johnson Jr., Roy Brocksmith, Rosemary Dunsmore, Ray Baker, Robert Costanzo, Alexia Robinson, Lycia Naff, Marc Alaimo, Dean Norris, Debbie Lee Carrington, Sasha Rionda, Mickey Jones, Priscilla Allen; Voice of: Robert Picardo/Runtime: 113 minutes
I think it’s a safe bet to make dear reader that if I asked 50 people to make a list of the top 5 films of iconic action hero Arnold Schwarzenegger’s career then I have no doubt that the delightfully sarcastic (and perhaps the majority answer I would get) among them would most likely answer would be as follows: Terminator, Terminator, Terminator, Terminator, and Terminator. To be sure, there might be a fair amount of people who would also throw in Conan the Barbarian, Twins, and Predator (and maybe even a few of you might choose to throw out Last Action Hero, Kindergarten Cop, The Last Stand, Escape Plan, and Maggie which I would definitely be thankful for since those are all highly underrated cinematic efforts of his and definitely worth remembering in their own right), but there is one slice of cinema of his that I definitely think should always warrant being worthy of consideration into the mix. That being the 1990 sci-fi gonzo actioner, and slice of cinema I am reviewing for you today incidentally, Total Recall from OG RoboCop director Paul Verhoeven. Indeed here is a slice of cinema that I have quite the interesting history with since it was very much a movie that growing up, I definitely knew about, but which I was always told I could not watch by my mom since it was very much a film that, in terms of content, she did not want her “precious little boy” watching. Unfortunately for her and very fortunately for me, there are these things that exist in this vast and incredible universe of ours known as HBO and Showtime to say nothing of parental block passwords that are incredibly easy to guess. Indeed it was as a result of these distinct phenomena that not only was I able to see this multiple times while she was at work and I was at home by myself, but I was also able to fall in love with this movie more and more with each and every viewing thereby making it easy for me to recommend to you all these years later (convenient right?). To be sure dear reader, this film is by no means a flawless cinematic effort by any stretch of either memory or reality, but with the aid of incredibly solid work both behind and in front of the camera, the 1990 take on Total Recall is a thrilling and intelligent piece of sci-fi action cinema that will both leave you on the edge of your seat and leave you with something to ponder long after the end credits have begun to roll in spectacularly equal fashion.
The plot is as follows: A loose adaptation of a 1966 short story called “We Can Remember It for You Wholesale” by the iconic sci-fi author Phillip K. Dick, Total Recall propels us into a distinct take on the far-off future year of 2084. A future in some ways very similar to ours yet very different in a lot of others. Perhaps the key difference being that not only have we traveled to Mars, but we have also set up quite the extensive colony there that, unfortunately, has found itself falling under the rule of a tyrannical administrator of sorts by the name of Vilos Cohaagen who keeps almost everyone in line with an iron fist and a band of merciless operatives and spies. Incidentally I say almost everyone because for awhile prior to the start of our story, Cohaagen has found his rule challenged by a group of rebels led by a mysterious individual by the name of Kuato that, to the people of Mars, represent the best chance for them to no longer have to live in seemingly constant fear. So it is amidst this turbulent turmoil that we are introduced back on Earth to our hero in the form of a seemingly ordinary guy by the name of Douglas Quaid. A guy who, despite having a good life and a fairly great relationship with his beautiful wife Lori, is still very much afflicted with an ailment that we all as people suffer from at one time or another. That being the ailment known as dissatisfaction. Not just with where he is at in life, but with life in general. Perhaps this is why, to say nothing of being stricken with nightmares about a certain place, we see Doug one day after work (against a work buddy’s firm reservations) decide to pay a visit to a business known as (get this) Rekall. A business that operates much like the travel agencies of today with perhaps one distinct caveat. That being that while a travel agent helps you travel to exotic locales physically, Rekall does it on a more psychological level by implanting memories in you that allow your imagination to take you to these places instead. Perhaps it should come as no surprise then to discover that our intrepid hero chooses to not only take an imaginary 2-week trip to Mars, but to do so under the persona of a spy. Yet it isn’t long into the implementation procedure that we see something go wrong and another side to our seemingly mild mannered and gentle giant springs forth. One that, in addition to knowing how to kick some serious butt, also has quite a few people out there who would much rather seem him dead than continue to enjoy the benefits of being amongst that distinct group known as the living. Thus, with all potential hope for answers as to what is going on pointing him in the direction of the Red Planet, can our hero discover what is real and what is a product of his imagination or is this one mind-trip that’s about to hit a potentially fatal setback? That I shall let you discover…..
Now right off, it should be said that the work done by the various departments behind the camera on this particular cinematic outing might not be flawless, but it still manages to be delightfully solid all the same. Without a doubt in my mind, this starts with the work done by iconic film helmer Paul Verhoeven in the director’s chair and this is one of the finer efforts that the man has given audiences over the years. Indeed, much like with some of the other entries in his rather delightful filmography, we see that Verhoeven does a grand job at blending together both viscerally engaging action beats that will have you on the edge of your seat whilst also potentially squirming at just how bloody and over the top they manage to be and a wonderful streak of insightful satire toward such ideas as consumerism and authoritative regimes among other things in a manner that is both highly intelligent and entertaining in equal measure. We also see that this degree of intellect is also very much on display when it comes to this film’s script. I say that because, as penned by no less a trio of writers, this slice of cinema might not be the most faithful adaptation of its source material, but it does manage to be quite engaging in its own right. Perhaps the key thing that the script does extremely well however is the manner it which it manages to, from about the 20-minute mark up until the very end, make us as an audience question as to if what we are seeing is reality or if it’s all one big (really expensive) dream without really giving us an answer one way or another. As a result, not only does the film give you plenty of action to keep you on the edge of your seat, but it also gives you something to ponder long after the film has ended. Along with that, it should also be said that, despite a solid 34 years having come and gone since, the look of this film in terms of its sets and design still holds up incredibly well. Yes there is a hint of early CGI in the form of an awesome walkthrough X-ray/metal detector, but overall we see that the crew did a wonderful job of utilizing a blend of both actual locations in Mexico City to represent both Earth and a lot of the “interiors” on Mars and giant miniature layouts for the exterior shots taking place on Mars to effectively bring this utilitarian and industry-rooted future vividly to life. We are also treated to phenomenal work here from Jost Vacano who, with his incredible work in the cinematography department, does a terrific job of aiding this film in making the impact it desires to make with the audience. Indeed not only do the lively camera work, and swift editing tricks increase the feeling of anarchy and gravity felt on screen, but they also excel at really placing you right in the middle of the action as well. Suffice it to say that, when you also take into account a wonderfully pulse-pounding score from the always reliable Jerry Goldsmith, solid work from the editing department, and jaw-droppingly impressive work from legendary special make-up effects icon Rob Bottin in the make-up/visual effects departments that managed to net this film a very well-deserved “Special Achievement Oscar” in 1991, there might be some hiccups here and there, but overall the work done behind the camera definitely does its part to help make this particular film worth remembering in the finest way possible.
Alongside the remarkable work done behind the camera, this slice of cinema is also positively reinforced by a collection of engaging performances in front of the camera by an exceptionally well-chosen cast of talent. Without a doubt, this starts with the action phenomenon that is Ahnuld in the lead role and this is easily one of the five best roles of his career. Indeed as Doug Quaid (no relation to Dennis or Randy as far as I know), we see that Schwarzenegger does a fantastic job at playing this everyman-type character who winds up getting caught up in this extraordinary situation and spends the majority of the film on the defensive rather than the offensive as he tries to get to the bottom of what is going on. At the same time though, we see that this also permits Schwarzenegger to showcase a welcome degree of vulnerability that he might not have been able to show in such movies as Predator or the first Terminator where he’s less an actor and more a walking muscle mass. As a result, yes he is kicking copious amounts of bad guy butt, but he also gets moments of welcome humanity and snarky humor while even getting his butt handed to him a fair amount as well in this. Suffice it to say that this is definitely a wonderful performance to say nothing of a delightful addition to Schwarzenegger’s iconic resume. We are also treated to a wonderful co-starring turn from Rachel Ticotin who, in the role of woman warrior extraordinaire Melina, brings a strength and resourcefulness to a character that, from the moment she appears on screen, is nothing short of a bonafide bad a** in this. We are also treated to a quite exemplary early big-screen turn from Sharon Stone in the pivotal role of Quaid’s wife Lori. Indeed this is quite the difficult part to pull off since you have to have an actress in the role who can be loving and supportive to be sure yet then be able to transition over to ice-cold and clinical at seemingly the drop of a hat. Thankfully Stone is able to bring that in a way that is so effective and so well-done in its execution that is it any wonder the director would later cast her as the infamous Catherine Trammel in a little movie called Basic Instinct? We are also treated to a wonderful support turn from Michael Ironside as Cohaagen’s enforcer Richter. Indeed Ironside does a terrific job at playing a character that is so ruthless, intense, and slightly sociopathic in his pursuit of Quaid that you can’t help but feel just a twinge of fear for our heroes whenever he’s on screen. Lastly, I would definitely be amiss if I didn’t take some time to praise the work done by the iconic Ronny Cox as Cohaagen. Indeed Cox is always a delight whenever he shows up in something and here he does a magnificently sleazy job at playing this character who is a blend of cunning, tyrannical, and unabashedly despicable that you will love to hate in the best way possible. Suffice it to say that when you also incorporate into the mix efforts from such talents as Marshall Bell, Michael Champion (bringing a Steve Zahn-type presence to his role), Mel Johnson Jr., Ray Baker, Robert Costanzo, Roy Brocksmith (who was delightful as Irv in Arachnophobia), Dean Norris, and a rather memorable support turn from Lycia Naff among others it’s clear that this slice of cinema might not be flawless by any means, but the work done by this cast definitely goes quite aways toward making it as engaging and entertaining as it is.
All in all and at the end of the day is Total Recall a perfect slice of cinema? Honestly no though in all fairness that is quite the daunting challenge for a lot of movies out there to attain let alone even attempt to attain. With that in mind however, does that make this the worst slice of cinema that either the director or any of the cast of players have ever been involved in? Thankfully no though in all fairness when some of the films in that respective category include such “gems” as Hollow Man (which I have a wee bit of a soft spot for), Terminator: Genisys, 2004’s Catwoman, and 2009’s Imagine That among others I think it’s safe to say that’s not exactly the most difficult creative pothole to avoid. Sarcastic comments about those other movies aside dear reader, I must say that I really love the heck out of this movie even if I did first see this at an age that I was perhaps too young to be seeing this let alone a lot of the other films I saw at the age of 8. Indeed the make-up and visual effects are nothing short of phenomenal, the story is actually quite intriguing, the action is delightfully gonzo and over the top in the best way possible, the work at the helm is really solid, the one-liners here are genuinely funny even while making you sigh and roll your eyes with how corny they can be, and the cast of talent assembled in front of the camera all (with particular regard to the performances given by Schwarzenegger, Ticotin, Stone, Ironside, and Cox) manage to be absolutely terrific no matter how big or small their amount of screentime in the 110-minute runtime turns out to be. Suffice it to say that if you want to see this particular story done horribly horribly wrong then I have no regrets whatsoever in telling you to check out the 2012 “remake” of this. You might be the only person to do so, but hey that’s on you. If you want to see this story done however in a way that is both insightful and entertaining from beginning to end however then I promise this film will be right up your alley. Just don’t be surprised if you find yourself being unable to tell if what you are seeing is a cinematic dream come true or really unfolding before your eyes. Trust me when I say we’ve all been wondering that since 1990. Make of that what thou will. On a scale of 1-5 I give Total Recall “90” a solid 4 out of 5.
