The fact that Total Recall was made by the studio
called Original Films smacks somewhat of irony, also does anyone think Kate Beckinsale
and Jessica Biel look somewhat similar? Anywho with Len Wiseman at the helm, a
director famous for good visuals and nothing else, it seems unlikely that the
remake will be better than the 1990 original.
World War Three destroys the
world leaving only two habitable places remaining, the United Federation of
Britain (UFB) and the colony (you know because imperialists you see), with the
colony being Australia. Douglas Quaid (Colin Farrell) seems a happily married
man but a trip to Rekall (a business that inserts artificial memories) seems to
awaken something from a past life and Quaid is the target of the government and
his own wife (Kate Beckinsale).
Much like Len Wiseman’s previous
films, Total Recall has plenty of
visual style, but somewhat lacking in other departments. Visually, the film
owes a debt to the likes of Blade Runner
(the neon lit cities are inspired by those in Blade Runner), and the city backdrops to look spectacular and
wonderfully detailed. The visuals of the recent remake made the special effects
in the original looks dated; however the special effects in the original Total Recall have a somewhat endearing
feel to them as they were made with a feeling of passion. In contrast the
special effects, however visually superb they are, lack soul.
Further visual style is found in
the high fluidity of the action scenes, but however good these action sequences
may be visually, they are lacking in tension and true excitement. The slow
motions shots take out much of the tension, leaving the viewer somewhat
unengaged throughout the many chases that develop throughout the film. Colin
Farrell does a decent job in the main role, but whilst he is slightly
more believable than Arnold Schwarzenegger he is nowhere as much fun to watch.
However, it doesn’t help that we are so unengaged in proceedings that it is
difficult to care about the character’s outcome. Kate Beckinsale is
unconvincing as someone with any authority and Bryan Cranston isn’t in the film
long enough to make a threatening villain.
I recall that I had a whale of a
time watching the original Total Recall
(I’m still quoting it today), but recollection of remake will be difficult as I
would struggle to remember much aspects of the rather unmemorable, uninspired
and lifeless remake.
2/5
2/5
A picture of Zooey Deschanel, just for the hell of it. |
I refused to watch this movie. What the fuck was wrong with the original Arnold one?
ReplyDeleteNothing. Absolutely nothing.
DeleteI actually think this one had worst FX. Sure, the CGI is... "cleaner". But the original's practical FX won't feel dated in the future.
ReplyDelete