Total Recall

Name: Total Recall
Genre: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi, Thriller
Released: June 1, 1990
Duration: 113 min
Rating: 57
Cast: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Michael Ironside, Sharon Stone

1990

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Mixed or average reviews based on 17 Critic Reviews

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Universal acclaim based on 423 Ratings

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8.8

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8.8	User Score Universal acclaim based on 423 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, 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 agentDoug 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

Director: Paul Verhoeven

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

Rating: X

Runtime: 113 min

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Metascore

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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

Elvis Mitchell

Mr. Verhoeven is much better at drumming up this sort of artificial excitement than he is at knowing when to stop. Read full review

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

TastyJamProject

Aug 1, 2012

This is arguably a better Arnie film than the two Terminators. Excellent and till remains a classic.

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

21 of 21 users found this helpful210

Spangle

Apr 19, 2017

The original is it a dream or not film, Total Recall is yet another science fiction classic from director Paul Verhoeven. He knows how to make objectively fun films that are essentially the cinematic equivalent of wrestling. Loud, dumb, and obviously scripted, but since both he and theThe original is it a dream or not film, Total Recall is yet another science fiction classic from director Paul Verhoeven. He knows how to make objectively fun films that are essentially the cinematic equivalent of wrestling. Loud, dumb, and obviously scripted, but since both he and the audience are in on the gag, it is fun to watch. Pairing this with a ripped and confused Arnold Schwarzenegger and a story based upon a short story from Philip K. Dick, you just know this is about to be an excellent watch. In many ways, it feels akin to Dune due to the obsession with control here on a distant planet, though in Total Recall it is air. Starring Schwarzenegger as Douglas Quaid, the film shows him as a relatively normal man married to Lori (Sharon Stone). However, as he goes to a company called Rekall, that allows people to pay to have memories implanted in their mind, things go haywire for him. Choosing to go to Mars and to become a secret agent, the route the film takes is ultimately up to the viewer. One side can claim it was all a part of the dream, but one that he began to believe. The other can claim that it is all true. He came to before the memory was implanted and after they had discovered he had his mind wiped due to the secrets he held from his time as a Mars Intelligence Officer that could threaten Vilos Cohaagen's (Ronny Cox) control over the air on Mars.

In many ways, Verhoeven reminds me of a more ambitious and unhinged version of David Cronenberg. Both are obsessed with constant depictions of sex and violence in their films, yet take different approaches to them. Verhoeven is more tongue-in-cheek, whereas Cronenberg is more serious. Yet, both share a similarity: inventiveness. From the gadgets in their films to the world they create, their films are always incredibly imaginative and demand further exploration. This is certainly part of the appeal of watching their films as around every corner is something you never imagined being in a film. This is an incredibly fun experience as a viewer as the weaponry, sets, and the world as a whole are so intricately designed that it makes it all seem real. Every detail is accounted for, even when the plot may become a little too odd to bear. This is a world that is always available to be explored and is a fun journey to be on throughout.

Yet, what this film thrives on is paranoia. With Douglas constantly told his true identity is Carl Hauser and that this is all a dream, he has no idea how to respond and neither does the audience. It is hard to pin down what is and is not real as things seem to be too finely put together by Hauser to not be a setup and things go too closely to what he signed up for with Rekall. Yet, other moments show that it is definitely not a dream with people turning against him or remembering him. Of course, that may be the very point. Total Recall walks a fine line between both options, but what is clear is the tension and paranoia this balance creates. It is excellent for entertainment purposes and really keeps you on edge as you try to figure out, scene-by-scene, what is really happening or what could be an implant.

An area of complaint for this film would definitely be the acting, which always a lot to be desired. Though, it may just be a trait of Paul Verhoeven films at this point. Inherently satirical in tone and style, the acting seems surreal with it simultaneously being unconvincing and overacted. This is a mainstay quality in many Verhoeven films with the actors seemingly in on the satirical tone of the film by playing their characters less than seriously. It is always jarring, especially with Arnold's constant one-liners littered throughout this film also contributing to this general feeling, but somehow thoroughly appealing to watch unfold at all times.

In watching Paul Verhoeven's filmography one thing, aside from the violence and sex, becomes immediately clear. Many of his female protagonists are quite similar and what I would like to categorize as the "Verhoeven Woman". If Howard Hawks can have his own female cliche, I think Verhoeven definitely deserves some credit for his own cliche. With Lori (Sharon Stone) - Douglas' apparent wife - and Melina (Rachel Ticotin) - Douglas' apparent lover - Total Recall introduces two Verhoeven women. Both women are overtly sexual and entirely objectified throughout. They ooze sex appeal and the film plays up this sexuality with both wearing greatly revealing clothing and constantly trying to engage Douglas in sex. Yet, this sexuality is always juxtaposed by Verhoeven with complete empowerment. Though these women may be agents forced to sleep with their marks or hookers who both suffer from the male gaze, they are completely capable and able to function on their own. Lori is a ball busting agent in Douglas' world and is more than capable of holding her own. She even skillfully takes down Douglas as any man with her training would be able to do.… Expand

0 of 6 users found this helpful06

Rens

Aug 1, 2018

Total Recall (1990) is many action and a good story. The twist is good, but not crazy and the ending does suck a little.

0 of 10 users found this helpful010

Broyax

Jan 31, 2018

Schwarzynator tourne avec Verhoeven et le résultat est à tout le moins explosif : un film d'action mené tambour battant fait de courses-poursuites, de fusillades et de bastons... et d'explosions. Même les effets spéciaux très élaborés pour l'époque ont fort bien vieilli. Le film estSchwarzynator tourne avec Verhoeven et le résultat est à tout le moins explosif : un film d'action mené tambour battant fait de courses-poursuites, de fusillades et de bastons... et d'explosions. Même les effets spéciaux très élaborés pour l'époque ont fort bien vieilli. Le film est indéniablement spectaculaire, solidement réalisé et bien entendu, Verhoeven oblige, d'une joyeuse violence : le Batave ne lésine en effet jamais sur l'hémoglobine et quelques effets gore... on en rit encore.

Paul Verhoeven aime également nous montrer les mutants bizarres et/ou défigurés de Mars via des maquillages très beurks, caricaturant ainsi ce qui constitue d'une certaine manière le fonds de commerce de toute la science-fiction populaire... bref, il ne manque pas d'air ! Cependant, on ne retrouve pas l'ironie plus mordante de ses autres films ici : ce que l'on voit dans Total Recall ressemble plus à du fan service vite emballé et expédié dans la grosse production triple A hollywoodienne. L'adaptation de la nouvelle de Philip K. Dick a subi peu ou prou le même traitement et ne fait que survoler la question de l'identité et des faux-semblants dickiens : elle est devenue un prétexte à un gros -et divertissant certes- film d'action de gros bêta. Rien à voir avec le soin apporté à un Blade Runner...

Notons la prestation remarquée d'une blonde sublimement épineuse qui va faire parler d'elle en tout cas : Sharon Stone ! Quant à Schwarzenegger, certainement "efficace" pour faire le ménage, la pauvreté de son jeu, ou son absence plutôt, est vraiment pénible à voir et à constater.

En fait, si Total Recall est loin d'être mauvais, il n'est pas bon pour autant. Tout y est efficace mais trop superficiel : il y a décidément trop de pop-corn dans ce film.… Expand

0 of 8 users found this helpful08

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 16 users found this helpful016

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