Review Tuesday: TOTAL RECALL (2012)

There's been a lot of discussion about the new sci-fi flick from last weekend: TOTAL RECALL. Is this is a remake that didn't need to be done? Will it be like the book? What will it be about?

In the future, chemical warfare rendered the bulk of the Earth uninhabitable. All that's left was Britain and The Colony (Australia). A fast transit system below the surface of the planet was designed for commuting between the two. Douglas Quaid was a factory worker who's looking for more out of his dull life. He goes to Total Rekall, a place you go to have memories implanted so you can have experiences that you, ordinarily, could never have. Of course things went wrong and that's when the action started.

This movie is NOT a remake of the previous Total Recall. Keep in mind, these aren't new concepts, but movies based on the book WE CAN REMEMBER IT FOR YOU WHOLESALE by Philip K. Dick, the same genius who wrote Bladerunner, A Scanner Darkly, Minority Report, etc. Since the original movie had very little to do with the book, don't feel angry that these two movies with the same title are so different.

This time around the movie is simpler to follow. Douglas Quaid's (Colin Farrell) memory was screwed up and he's trying to figure out who he was and what he's supposed to be doing. His super hot wife, Lori (Kate Beckinsale) was an undercover agent who has to bring him back in. Melina (Jessica Biel) is a resistance fighter that Quaid has a past with. Put it all together and you have a fun, and action packed hour and three quarters of sci-fi.

To me, there is a definite Underworld feel to it, which is that Len Wiseman touch. Plus, it seems more like a well lit Bladerunner than a Total Recall remake in terms of look. For those who like the book, keep in mind that the book was a couple dozen pages TOPS. If you made a movie based only on that it wouldn't even be long enough for an episode of the Twilight Zone. So writers had to do their job and invent something of greater scope so it's worthy of the big screen. Personally, I think they did a good job. It was fun to watch. They kept important aspects from the book, and the first movie, and everyone really should be happy with it. The ladies will love how much Farrell is shirtless in this, and the guys will love how much screen time Beckinsale and Biel have. In all honesty, I've had both leading ladies in my TOP FIVE LIST for years, but the stunning, and older Kate Beckinsale is really breathtaking. She attracts your undivided attention everytime she's on thr screen. Gorgeous woman. Fun movie. Check it out!  

It's already on Amazon
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1386703/?licb=0.037133944453671575
Official website: http://www.welcometorecall.com