The Arnie/Verhoeven 1990 film was very much a product of its time and of its star and director - a gaudy, cheesy, colourful cartoon - and Len Wiseman's 2012 version is a hugely entertaining action/sci-fi romp for very different reasons. The almost non-stop action is frantic and very well-handled, whilst dialogue is not the film's strongest area, with what little there is frequently sounding rather stilted. The visual scale, ambition and detail is extremely impressive, creating an expansive dystopian world and some striking visual ideas and set-pieces. Placing an actor as nuanced and thoughtful as Colin Farrell in the Doug Quaid role was a smart move, as he handles the action well and fills in the dialogue gaps most effectively. Kate Beckinsale chews the scenery enthusiastically as the 'wife', but all the other characters are given very little screen time or development. The decision not to go to Mars in this version is no loss, as the central conceit works just as well in this visually-rich Earthbound environment. Total Recall 2012 is not a profound meditation on reality and the mind, but as huge-scale popcorn entertainment it works just fine.
1 comment:
Good review Mr. P. This one may have been fairly predictable in spots but at least it kept me glued to the screen with it’s fun, sci-fi look and action. Also, Beckinsale seemed like she was having a ball with this role and it’s probably the best I have seen from her so far.
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