TOTAL RECALL (2012) starring Colin Farrell, Bokeem Woodbine, and Bryan Cranston is a remake of the original TOTAL RECALL released in 1990 starring Arnold Schwarzenegger. Although the 2012 version is a respectable Sci-Fi in its own right with impressive special effects, this remake is lacking the same passion and character development that propelled its predecessor into the ranks of Sci-fi classics.
Once again we open the story with an average factory worker longing for a little excitement in his life. Stopping by a company named Rekall, Farrell confirms that he's able to purchase implanted memories of a life he's never lived. The fake memories customized to configure any personal fantasy or desire. When our main character's implantation goes awry, the fast-paced action begins.
During the entire movie, I kept asking myself an obvious question. What happened to all the aliens? Back in 1990, a stroll through the 'cheap' dome on Mars was definitely a highlight. The 'deformed' fortune tellers were just few of the memorable inhabitants you'd be lucky to meet. But all is not lost...we still get a brief scene with the iconic '3-breasted' woman.
I strongly suggest renting a copy of the original. You'll find the sarcastic humor contagious, and 22 years after the fact, the F/X will still hold their own with many of the movies being released today. Directed by Len Wiseman, PG-13, 118 mins, Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi, *** 3 stars out of 5.
