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Total Recall
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Metascore
57 out of 100

Mixed or average reviews - based on 17 Critics What's this?

User Score
7.1 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 29 Ratings

Your Score
10 out of 10
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  • Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Michael Ironside, Sharon Stone
  • Summary: Doug Quaid (Schwarzenegger), a construction worker with a beautiful wife (Stone) and home in in the year 2084, decides to take a virtual vacation to Mars as a secret agent. When things go wrong during the aritificial memory implantation process, Quaid becomes reacts violently and must figure out if his life as Quaid or as the secret agent is his true life.… Expand

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 17
  3. Negative: 2 out of 17
  1. Chicago Sun-Times
    Reviewed by: Roger Ebert
    88
    One of the most complex and visually interesting science fiction movies in a long time.
  2. Christian Science Monitor
    Reviewed by: David Sterritt
    50
    The plot, based on a Phillip K. Dick story, is ingenious; and Arnold Schwarzenegger brings an effective blend of machismo and innocence to his role. Too bad director Paul Verhoeven lets brainless violence and tricky special effects swamp the cleverness of the tale itself. [22 June 1990, Arts, p.10]
    All this critic's reviews
  3. The Globe and Mail (Toronto)
    Reviewed by: Jay Scott
    12
    Guilty of gross mellerdrammer & innocent of sophistication... Guilty of being dumber than WWF wrestling & innocent of hypocrisy about its cartoon violence.

See all 17 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 8
  3. Negative: 1 out of 8
  1. OneWhoKnows
    10
    Philip K. Dick is one of the best sci-fi authors in history. In fact almost all his written work has been transposed into great film. Total Recall is one of his best efforts. Again this is a movie that requires a thought process, so if Napoleon Dynamite is your fave, give up and don't watch this movie because you will get lost. The ending is purposely left to your won interpretation... this makes it GREAT!… Expand
    • 1 of 1 users said yes
  2. TomV.
    10
    An intricate and clever plot, with cinematography that will keep you riveted. Perhaps the most intelligent movie starring Schwarzenegger ever.
    • 1 of 1 users said yes
  3. vinee
    4
    Why the hell they remake this movie which is subject to get released this year? LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes

See all 8 User Reviews

Trailers

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