Total Recall [1990] Action // Sci-Fi

Total Recall [1990] {NetFlix: 2015}
8.9/10

"VIOLENCE! This is a movie where things breaks, people die, and one man gets kicked in the dick over and over again. A brilliant sci-fi piece, and instant classic. Quite literally (no sarcasm or hyperbole) the list of things in this movie that didn't break or explode is shorter than the list of things that did!"



Guys, I loved this movie. I really didn't think I was going to, and actually went into it with a pretty closed mind. I had originally watched the new version and no spoiler needed fucking hated it. I thought going into this original it would be more or less the same exact story, but it turns out to be so much more complex, deeper, and even profound. I really thought this would be another Schwarzenegger  acts in some C class movie, but it wasn't. Sure, it had some cliches and trite moments, but nothing abysmal.

I think what really captivated me was the premise. The story is actually compelling enough and the twists don't stop coming, but when they come they aren't smashing you at 90 MPH--at least not the stuff that matters. The motif of this film is expect the unexpected. This is evident down to the smallest details. Women die. Midgets shoot people. Windows explode. Eyeballs explode. Cars and walls explode. The list of things in this movie that didn't explode is actually shorter, and I don't say that to be dramatic.

There is something about the balance of elements in this movie that really struck home. Smarty pants sci-fi, action, brutal violence, romance, etc. However, I will say that this movie plays at every single cliche imaginable in both genres it tampers in, but to be honest I didn't actually mind. Laughably trite, but nowhere near as a trite as the "taking itself seriously" version we go with Collin Ferrell.

This is not a low budget film. Sure, it's the 1990's and the sets, costumes, and backdrop can't compare to the new CGI version--but there is something the new version, and many movies lack that this flick had in abundance. Immersive atmosphere and care in sets and imagery. The setting of the film is another thing I really liked. Mars! Future Earth! It's notably 90's in terms of the "future" portrayal and requires a bit of imagination. I would compare this movie to Blade Runner and Star Wars first, and Minority Report second. (Minority Report being the tier-1 roof)

I'm not going to gush about this being the end all be all action flick, or the pinnacle of human achievement in sci-fi, but for the scope of this film, it really did accomplish a lot. I was surprised at how far this plot spans and how clever it was. Sure, the writing is a bit goofy, but I think it's part of the Schwarzenegger charm. I found myself laughing, and glued to the edge of my seat.

The long story short is that this film from start to finish is a lot of fun. It's everything you could ask for in an action movie and sci-fi movie, and that's really what counts.