Douglas Quaid (Arnold Schwatznegger) starred in an
adaptation of the Philip Dick sci-fi novel We Can Remember it for you
Wholesale Verhoeven's 1990 film Total Recall. Wiseman remade the
original cult sci-fi classic, with Irishman Colin
Farrell and British actress Kate Beckinsale.
Earth, ravaged by global biological warfare, has two territories fit for life;
the authoritarian United Federation of Britain - ruled over by the
dictator-like Cohaagen (Bryan Cranston) - and the neon-lit, slum-world of the
Colony. Living in the Colony is Quaid (Colin Farrell), an honest worker who,
despite being married to his beautiful wife Lori (Kate Beckinsale), is tired of
his mundane daily life. Quaid visited Rekall - a place where he could have his
dreams implanted as memories. However, during the visit Quaid discovers that
there may be more to him than initially meets the eye.
Total Recall allows Wiseman to exploit audience
expectations, manipulating some of the most memorable scenes of the much-loved
1990 original. Verhoeven's violent scenes have been replaced with CGI fight
scenes. Lori spends her time chasing Quaid. Quaid, whose real name is Carl Hausser, is a secret agent meets up with Melina (Jesica Biel) and together they take on Cohaagen.
The film concentrates on who is Quaid and what he stands for, yet, dynamic action dominates.
Quaid is a compelling protagonist. Wiseman created a decent science
fiction story, yet it lacks a political message.
Wiseman's Total Recall incorporates elements of I Robot, The Fifth Element and
Ridley Scott's Blade Runner. The final scene of an invasion by
synthetic robots, thwarted by Quaid, was disappointing.