Total Recall

Name: Total Recall
Genre: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi, Thriller
Released: June 1, 1990
Duration: 113 min
Rating: 60
Cast: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Marshall Bell, Mel Johnson Jr., Michael Champion, Michael Ironside

1990

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 17 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 454 Ratings

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8.7

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8.7	User Score Universal acclaim based on 454 Ratings

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Total Recall

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Movie Details & Credits

TriStar Pictures | Release Date: June 1, 1990 | X

Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Marshall Bell, Mel Johnson Jr., Michael Champion, Michael Ironside, Rachel Ticotin, Ray Baker, Ronny Cox, Roy Brocksmith, Sharon Stone

Summary: Doug Quaid (Arnold Schwarzenegger), a construction worker with a beautiful wife (Sharon 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 artificial memory implantation process, Quaid becomes reacts violently and must figure out if his life as Quaid or as theDoug Quaid (Arnold Schwarzenegger), a construction worker with a beautiful wife (Sharon 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 artificial 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

Director: Paul Verhoeven

Genre(s): Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi, Thriller

Rating: X

Runtime: 113 min

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Critic Reviews

Roger Ebert

One of the most complex and visually interesting science fiction movies in a long time. Read full review

Michael Wilmington

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]

Jonathan Rosenbaum

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. Read full review

Mike Clark

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]

James Berardinelli

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. Read full review

David Sterritt

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]

Rita Kempley

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. Read full review

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User Reviews

TomV.

Oct 20, 2006

An intricate and clever plot, with cinematography that will keep you riveted. Perhaps the most intelligent movie starring Schwarzenegger ever.

1 of 1 users found this helpful

PredatorX

Aug 22, 2018

Other than Terminator 2 and Predator, this is my goto Schwarzenegger movie. The practical effects still look good almost 30 years later and the infamous ambiguity of the whole movie holds up even more. Arnold is a great hero who not only comes off as an invincible action star but also feelsOther than Terminator 2 and Predator, this is my goto Schwarzenegger movie. The practical effects still look good almost 30 years later and the infamous ambiguity of the whole movie holds up even more. Arnold is a great hero who not only comes off as an invincible action star but also feels vulnerable at points. the last thing i have to say is that i'm actually depressed that the 2012 version has worse effects than a movie from 1990. but this one is one of my favorite films ever.… Expand

7 of 7 users found this helpful70

OneWhoKnows

Aug 25, 2010

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 watchPhilip 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

22 of 22 users found this helpful220

HellHoleHorror

Oct 16, 2022

This film is crazy and great. I really love watching it. The story is clever and interesting with some crazy practical special effects. It is violent and stylish. This has to be one of the best futuristic thrillers, it is exciting from beginning to end with lots of charm and well, go watchThis film is crazy and great. I really love watching it. The story is clever and interesting with some crazy practical special effects. It is violent and stylish. This has to be one of the best futuristic thrillers, it is exciting from beginning to end with lots of charm and well, go watch it now! There are moments reminiscent of The Matrix (1999) with the coloured pills and questions about what is reality. Also Arnold has a similar path to ‘The One’. It’s also very reminiscent of the Red Faction games because of the drilling, the rebellion and the awesome Mars cars! The only real downside is that the fighting is not very good, it’s badly shot and choreographed. A minor issue.… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

Jacob

Aug 31, 2015

Total Recall is a fun movie. The film isn’t deep but it is fun with suspense, action, and twists. The way the future is realized is creative and clever and easily a highlight of the film. Total Recall could’ve been more if the film had embraced the concept of the recall machine and used itTotal Recall is a fun movie. The film isn’t deep but it is fun with suspense, action, and twists. The way the future is realized is creative and clever and easily a highlight of the film. Total Recall could’ve been more if the film had embraced the concept of the recall machine and used it to raise moral and ethical questions but instead it just devolves into a straightforward action movie. Asking for more isn’t a huge complaint as the movie is still a blast its just that extra bit of depth could’ve made this something more.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

Tokyochuchu

Oct 7, 2012

The original Total Recall is a fun sci-fi actioner that sees Schwartzenegger barreling around Mars kicking all sorts of ass. The movie has that classic over-the-top 80's violence to it (massive squibs & grotesque kills) that now feels both nostalgic and hilariously ridiculous. Stuffed withThe original Total Recall is a fun sci-fi actioner that sees Schwartzenegger barreling around Mars kicking all sorts of ass. The movie has that classic over-the-top 80's violence to it (massive squibs & grotesque kills) that now feels both nostalgic and hilariously ridiculous. Stuffed with decent special effects and a memorable plot, Total Recall remains fun viewing.… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

Steven1981

Mar 30, 2020

Paul Verhoeven made this movie in 1990 and it stars Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sharon Stone, Marshall Bell, Ronny Cox, Rachel Ticotin and Michael Ironside.... TOTAL RECALL is a sci-fi action thriller and it isn't very good. The main villain who is Cohaagen played by Ronny Cox is about asPaul Verhoeven made this movie in 1990 and it stars Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sharon Stone, Marshall Bell, Ronny Cox, Rachel Ticotin and Michael Ironside.... TOTAL RECALL is a sci-fi action thriller and it isn't very good. The main villain who is Cohaagen played by Ronny Cox is about as intimidating as a teletubby. Michael Ironside was okay but not brilliant and Sharon Stone was excellent giving what crap story she had to work with and she looked beautiful. All the mutants were ridiculous, hideous and brought no positivity to the film especially the woman with 3 boobs as that's laughable , disturbing, cheesey and stupid. The action scenes were not great and the only two positive things in the whole movie was Sharon Stone and the blood. The rest of the movie including more or less all the characters, the acting and the action scenes felt awful and so did the fact the mutants drink in a bar on Mars. So laughably unrealistic it's unreal and even Arnold Schwarzenegger wasn't that great so my opinion of Total Recall is I'm afraid weak. Terrible excuse for a film.… Expand

0 of 17 users found this helpful017

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