Saturday, August 4, 2012

Total Recall (2012)

Year: 2012
Director: Len Wiseman
Cast: Colin Farrell, Kate Beckinsale, Jessica Biel
Region of Origin: U.S.
Rating: PG-13
Time: 118 mins

Naturally after the news was released that there would be a remake of Paul Verhoeven's Total Recall (1990),  a vomit-inducing amount  of inquiries came to mind: "Could Colin Ferrell really be better than the one and only Arnold?", "Will the three-breasted mutant and Kuato make an appearance?", "Will Melinda be black?", (love me some ethnic girls) and last but not least, "How did Jessica Biel even get this role?" With dizzying questions running miles around my head,  a cool calmness enveloped me and gave me a little more hope after seeing the trailer and Kate Beckinsale kicking some serious ass.

Douglas Quaid (Colin Ferrell) is a factory worker who married his high school sweetheart Lori (Kate Beckinsale) and lives day to day wondering if there is more to his life than just being an average person. The planet has been decimated by nuclear warfare and the only two places to live is the ultra-posh United Federation of Britain or the uninhabitable The Colony. Quaid longs for more to his life and one day goes to Rekall, when things go astray. 

What could've been an excellent revision of one of the most classic science fiction films, turned out to be a quick shuttle ride from enthrallment to entrapment. A tasteless, bland, and snooze-fest that seemed a little too long for its own good dragged everyone who dared to enter the theatre straight downhill. Although there were minor details that weren't included in the remake, it was those miniature detail that made the film falter at the most pivotal moments.  The film's core flaws are masked by breath-taking fight scenes and set decorations that stall your true emotions  The tag line "What is Reality?" should be the main focus but instead the audience knows exactly where Quaid stands and where he will end. It's a a decently thrilling take on the classic that doesn't quite capture the true essence of the unforgettable original. But if you love remakes or mindless dialogue with action-packed cat and mouse chases, this ain't sooooo bad. C+