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Arnold Schwarzenegger, David Knell, Dean Norris

Set in the year 2084, a man goes to Mars via a memory implant and discovers the truth about himself.

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70% liked it

210,981 ratings

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79% liked it

39 critics

R, 1 hr. 53 min.

Directed by: Paul Verhoeven

Release Date: June 1, 1990

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DVD Release Date: August 29, 2000

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Flixster Reviews (8,229)

  • AgentLexi2132
    November 13, 2009
    AgentLexi2132
    ''If I am not me, then who the hell am I?''

    When a man goes for virtual vacation memories of the planet Mars, an unexpected and harrowing series of events forces him to go to the planet for real, or does he?

    Arnold Schwarzenegger: Douglas Quaid / Hauser

    Total...( read more) Recall based on We Can Remember It for You Wholesale, a short story from 1974 by Philip K. Dick (and novelized in conjunction with the film production by Piers Anthony), had a laborious history getting to the silver screen. Tens of drafts were written. Production companies were attached then went out of business. Many directors and stars were attached who either changed their minds or who were dropped. Luckily, Arnold Schwarzenegger talked Carolco into picking up the project for him with Paul Verhoeven, who subsequently already proved his dazzling directorial talents on the similarly toned RoboCop(1987).

    While Total Recall certainly has influences, including The Martian Chronicles(1980),Dune(1984) and the first major movie project based on a Philip K. Dick work, Blade Runner(1982), it's more notable for the films that it has influenced in subsequent years, including The Fifth Element(1997) and many of the "rubber reality" films such as Abre los ojos(1997),Vanilla Sky(2001) and The Thirteenth Floor(1999). It's also yet another film on the very long list that have had various elements "adapted" into part of The Matrix(1999), most explicitly here, the bug that Quaid has to remove from his body with a high-tech machine and the possibility of waking up from a particular reality by taking a red pill.

    Unless you've been living under a rock for the past 20 years then you probably know that with Director Paul Verhoeven (Black Book), nothing is not doable and he loves to show violence and sex to the extreme. This film is no exception, as the carnage is wonderfully graphic and oddly satisfying similar to Robocop, in terms of violent proceedings. We see people get their arms blown off and their necks snapped in delightful ways. Pleasingly, CGI isn't used to enhance the violence but rather to alternate with make up and prosthetics to achieve the gore factor. Uncertain on this, but I am under the impression, this was the last movie made before CGI overtook the industry, so everything we see in the movie is eclectically real. From the train stations on mars, the three breasted woman, and the mutant living inside a man was all done on set in the camera without any effect wizardry. It really draws you into the story and gives you this sense that this place has been around for an age, and we're just being given a rare insight into this world. The production designer deserves huge credit for the realistic look that attributes to the film in everyway.

    ''I'll be back!''

    Most of the locations used, were successfully created, with the usage of expertly created miniatures and they look fantastical considering when Total Recall was created. It's not as impressive as the work that Alex Funke did on LOTR but it's still pretty successful, in the sense it still manages to hold it's own in todays film making world. The actors all are just perfectly cast in this movie, and while Schwarzenegger may be touted as the star in the movie, the real star is Michael Ironside. This is essentially Ironside doing what he does best which is playing the bad guy so brilliantly and also avoiding all the usual bad guy cliches like speaking with some accent or smoking in every scene. Sharon Stone essentially has a less dazzling role than the other players, but the little she does give every scene she partakes in, is greatly acted and fun to watch. Rachel Ticotin plays the other woman in Schwarzenegger's life and she does an amazing job of playing the woman that Schwarzenegger dreams of. She is smart, cute, and can kick your ass if she has to. Then there's Schwarzenegger who basically does what he does, in every movie which is to run, shoot, make a joke, then run and shoot some more. But you know what, that cliche formula works...So why change a good thing right?

    A movie no matter how good or well written will be nothing without the support of great music and in this case, the late great Jerry Goldsmith provides a fantastic score that is just pleasing to the ears. Really adore the score he plays in the first 2 mins. of the picture alone, when we see Schwarzenegger walking around on mars. It's these weird dreamlike tones that makes you feel the same way that Schwarzenegger does, it helps us connect with what the character is feeling. The great piece he plays for when Quato tells Quaid to open his mind is without a question an epiphany of grandeur in the score. Usually action music consists of loud brass and strong drums but Goldsmith narrowly avoids that tired cliché and provides a smart intelligent score that enhances the movie at every turn. The great Howard Shore has been the only composer that I know so far that has written a decent action music for a movie and that was the amazing score he did for The Lord of the Rings trilogy. The two composers seem to have a lot in common when it comes to music so someday I hope that Shore will reach that level of respect and admiration that Goldsmith has achieved.

    This is NOT a family friendly sci-fi flick in the vein of Star Wars, it's rated 18 for a very good reason, so parents can hide the little ones and enjoy. If you want an adult sci-fi movie that doesn't require CGI or confusing dialog, then you'll be in heaven with this Philip K Dick adaptation.

    ''You are what you do. A man is defined by his actions, not his memory.''
  • SirPant
    September 15, 2009
    SirPant
    Fast becoming a classic, Total Recall is a guilty pleasure. It's very loosely based on a Philip K. Dick short but not enough so as to upset hard core fans. It's a bizarre and cheesy action film but most importantly, it's fun. Michael Ironside looses another limb too, surprise sur...( read more)prise!
  • ceWEBrity
    July 4, 2009
    ceWEBrity
    This is a stupid, stupid movie.
  • sanjurosamurai
    June 14, 2009
    sanjurosamurai
    i hadnt seen the film in more than 10 years, and after a rewatch last night it has upgraded slightly in my mind but i was reminded of why i hated the ending so much. overall an interesting story but a little to outside of the realm of possibility at the end with the whole blue s...( read more)kies and normal temperature on mars thing.
  • 76Majikat
    June 13, 2009
    76Majikat
    Not quite as good as I remember this being and seems a much older film than 1990.

    The plot of the film is futuristic and full of fun and adventure. Arnie has no doubt ever been a great Actor, but he does have character in these kind of films and of course in general it does w...( read more)ork.

    My main problem with the film now is that, it is very obviously dated or a futuristic film. This was really apparent with the look of the cars, the computers and even the 90's style hair on the women.

    Perhaps I'm analysing a little too much for an Arnie film?? Still quite good fun though.
  • Maeliki
    November 21, 2009
    Maeliki
    One of the best Schwarzennegger movie ever..........Go Cali......ha ha ha......
  • odonoghuematthew
    November 20, 2009
    odonoghuematthew
    Best Visual effects 1990
  • zakaryasx
    November 19, 2009
    zakaryasx
    IT'S BEEN AWHILE SINCE I'VE SEEN THIS, BUT I DO REMEMBER IT BEING A REALLY AWESOME ACTION PACKED FILM
  • 21rclemente
    November 16, 2009
    21rclemente
    Just watched this Schwarz movie for the first time in 10 years. It still has its moments. Before cg and has a plethera of terminator-esque action. Heads explode, arms get blown off, Arnold pulverizes bad guys, and there's even a chick with 3 tits. What more could you want?
  • xPadacklesx
    November 14, 2009
    xPadacklesx
    Quite confusing and one part made me say ewwww! But good.

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Critic Reviews

January 1, 2000
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

There may be people who overlook the Arnold Schwarzenegger performance in Total Recall who think he isn't really acting. But the performance is one of the reasons the movie works so well. full review

View more Total Recall reviews at RottenTomatoes.com

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Total Recall Trivia

  • Which movie is this Arnold Schwarzenegger's quote from? "Consider that a divorce."  Answer »
  • On the movie, Total Recall, who is the resistance leader who helped Quaid to find the reactor to the core inside Mars?  Answer »
  • In "Total Recall", what was the name of the backstabbing taxi driver?  Answer »
  • Which "Arnold Movie" is this line from? "See you at the party Richter."  Answer »
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