• 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
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 17
  2. Negative: 2 out of 17
  1. 88
    One of the most complex and visually interesting science fiction movies in a long time.
  2. 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]
  3. 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

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 7
  3. Negative: 1 out of 7
  1. 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. “If I am not me, then who the hell am I?” In a time when interplanetary travel is common, one man yearns for better things. Douglas Quaid (Arnold Scwarzenneger), discontent with his life, dreams of vacationing to Mars. When an opportunity for a virtual vacation presents itself, Quaid visits Rekall Inc. for a memory implant. But during the procedure Quaid is plagued by memories of another life and heads to mars to try to unravel a forgotten past. When David Cronenberg passed on the project, director Paul Verhoeven, of ‘Robocop’ fame came to the rescue. And although I will always wonder what the talented Mr. Cronenberg would have pieced together, I think Verhoeven deserves credit for taking on the challenge. The film’s look is a trademark of Verhoevens and doesn’t shy away from being loud in appearance. The film was adapted from Philip K. Dick’s ‘We Can Remember It For You Wholesale’ and poses a question to the audience about whether the events after the memory implant are real or not. Undertones of corruption pull the movie along, but Verhoeven’s execution of these issues is done with little care. Direction: 7/10 (Verhoeven’s anti-subtle imagery and erotica influences drive this film) Cinematography: 8/10 (Jost Vocano’s improves Verhoeven’s excessive influences) Editing: 9/10 (Puente & Urioste make the right choices here, especially in the Johhny cab scenes) Acting: 6/10 (It’s Arnie & Stone. What did you expect? Michael Ironside does most of the work here) Dialogue: 5/10 (Too many hands spoiled this broth. Not awful, just disappointing it didn’t turn out) Sound: 10/10 (I was impressed for a film made in 1990. This almost makes up for the dialogue) Effects: 10/10 (It didn’t get a ‘Special Achievement Award’ for nothing. An Oscar well deserved) Art Direction: 8/10 (Verhoeven favourite James E. Tocci is called again to help the director) Costumes: 7/10 (Erica Edell Phillips gives the characters another subtle dimension) Music and/or Score: 7/10 (The music department provided a tasteful Sci-Fi feel to the film) Total Score: 77/100 For a film with plenty of action, explosive sounds and visual effects it still delivers an entertaining experience. But don’t be fooled – this film is not for anyone. Best suited for Sci-Fi aficionados and 80s action film buffs. Memorable moments included. Expand
    • 1 of 1 users said yes

See all 7 User Reviews

Trailers

Related Articles

  1. Ranked: Movies Based on Philip K. Dick Stories

    Ranked: Movies Based on Philip K. Dick Stories Image
    Published: March 2, 2011
    "The Adjustment Bureau," in theaters Friday, is just one of many movies based on stories by writer Philip K. Dick. We examine Hollywood's fascination with the sci-fi author, from "Blade Runner" to "Impostor."

Recommended Products

    • Release Date: Jul 17, 1987
    RoboCop Image
  1. Starship Troopers Image
  2. True Lies Image