Advanced Search Beta »
Basic Search Fields
Total Recall
Metascore
57 out of 100

Mixed or average reviews - based on 17 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 17
  3. Negative: 2 out of 17
view
per page
  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. Entertainment Weekly
    Reviewed by: Owen Gleiberman
    83
    Starts out as mind-bending futuristic satire and then turns relentless -- it becomes a violent, postpunk version of an Indiana Jones cliff-hanger.
  3. Empire
    Reviewed by: Kim Newman
    80
    Top-flight muscleman entertainment that is not afraid to have a brain or two in its head.
  4. Los Angeles Times
    Reviewed by: Michael Wilmington
    80
    If the movie sometimes seems overwhelmed by its budget and its legendary third-act problems, it's still entertainingly raw and brutal, full of whiplash pace and juicy exaggeration. [1 June 1990, Calendar, p.F-1]
    All this critic's reviews
  5. Time
    Reviewed by: Richard Corliss
    80
    Fast, witty, glamorous, with thrill piling on giggle atop gasp. [11 June 1990, p.85]
    All this critic's reviews
  6. Variety
    Reviewed by: Staff (Not Credited)
    80
    The fierce and unrelenting pace, accompanied by a tongue-in-cheek strain of humor in the roughhouse screenplay, keeps the film moving like a juggernaut.
  7. Chicago Reader
    Reviewed by: Jonathan Rosenbaum
    80
    A worthy entry in the dystopian cycle of SF movies launched by "Blade Runner" (including "The Terminator" and "Robocop"), this seems less derivative than most of its predecessors yet equally accomplished in its straight-ahead storytelling, with plenty of provocative satiric undertones and scenic details.
  8. San Francisco Chronicle
    Reviewed by: Mick LaSalle
    75
    A first-rate action movie, slickly done and with so many imaginative bonuses that, for a time, it feels like a classic in the making. It's not, but it's still solid and entertaining [1 June 1990]
    All this critic's reviews
  9. USA Today
    Reviewed by: Mike Clark
    75
    Both female roles are unexpectedly meaty, so much so that the film loses something once the far more lively Stone is dispatched. Hour one (more satirical) is better all around, though the falloff isn't fatal. [1 June 1990, Life, p.2D]
    All this critic's reviews
  10. Chicago Tribune
    Reviewed by: Johanna Steinmetz
    63
    From first to last frame, Total Recall is in your face. Its rather elegant little science-fiction story is as suffocated as the Martians are. The director has violated his own movie, going so far over the top he's still out there-weightless. [1 June 1990, Friday, p.C]
    All this publication's reviews
  11. ReelViews
    Reviewed by: James Berardinelli
    63
    An "intelligent" action film, because it presents the viewer with an opportunity to puzzle things out rather than sit mindlessly and watch people get blown to pieces.
  12. 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
  13. The New York Times
    Reviewed by: Elvis Mitchell
    50
    Mr. Verhoeven is much better at drumming up this sort of artificial excitement than he is at knowing when to stop.
  14. TV Guide
    Reviewed by: Staff (Non Credited)
    40
    Ugly, stupid, loud, offensive, and pointlessly violent--let's not mince words--this film should be called "Total Reject."
  15. Washington Post
    Reviewed by: Desson Thomson
    40
    Actually, any fun you might encounter in Recall can be traced, most often, to director Verhoeven, who injects some of his "Robocop" camp into this mega-dumb project.
  16. 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.
  17. Washington Post
    Reviewed by: Rita Kempley
    0
    The overall effect is like wading through hospital waste. Verhoeven, who also directed the maliciously stylistic "Robocop," disappoints with this appalling onslaught of blood and boredom.
prev next
Page:
  • 1

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.1 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 29 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 8
  3. Negative: 1 out of 8
  1. monkeybrainspit
    7
    “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.… Full Review »
  2. 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!… Full Review »
  3. TomV.
    10
    An intricate and clever plot, with cinematography that will keep you riveted. Perhaps the most intelligent movie starring Schwarzenegger ever.
See all user reviews »