Do you recall Total Recall?

tr1990I loved the 1990 version of Total Recall back when it was first released. I was an Arnie fan back in the day and even though he’s lost some of his appeal, I still enjoy many of those old films. Commando, Predator, and T2 all still seem like a great way to spend an evening. On the other hand, movies like Running Man and Total Recall are much less fun for me. All of those movies strained even the most generous suspension of disbelief, but Running Man and Total Recall added a level of camp that doesn’t were as well, at least for me. To be honest, Total Recall was always hard for me to watch. Things like the tracker being pulled from Arnie’s nose and the grossly mutated rebel hero had me shutting my eyes or turning my head. They were just more yucky than funny.

tr2012My nostalgia for the movie had me excited for the remake and it ultimately delivered what I was looking for—a version of the movie that was less grossly bizarre and more action adventure. I was surprised to find the 2012 version of Total Recall was ranked pretty low on both IMDB and Rotten Tomatoes. I skimmed through the complaints and most fell into two camps: the don’t mess with my old favorite and the nice effects but the story doesn’t rate a remake. Well, I don’t really expect a deep and meaningful story in my action flicks. The ‘moral’ of the story—it’s who you are now that counts—is still a good sentiment and much more effectively conveyed without the bulging nose shenanigans. Furthermore, I’m a romance junkie these days and the romance is much better told in the new version. Besides, Colin Ferrell is always worth watching.

So, if you prefer this:

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Watch the old version.

If you like this this:

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Go for the new!

Have you seen the old or new version? What did you like or not like about it/them?

19 thoughts on “Do you recall Total Recall?”

  1. I will be honest the new version popped my cork on so many levels because how xan you go wrong with Kate Beckinsale kicking Colin Farrells behind?

    But as a huge fab of any and all of Arnolds movies, including the terminator franchise and the first Predator movie that he just was so much fun to watch in when the Alien was throwing him around like a ragdoll.

    Of course as Conan the Barbarian he proved you do not need to speak intelligible English and in Commando he and Alyssa Romano were so well matched as father and daughter!

    Okay Running Man and Total Recall were both over the top but still Arnold was entertaing in his roles.

    So yes having seen both TR original and remake there is a better vibe in the remake but the original is still fun to watch for me Charlee.

  2. I’ve been on the fence about watching the TR remake. In spite of the cheese factor, I liked the original. But the remake does have Colin in it, and I really enjoyed him in the remake of Fright Night. Hmm. Decisions, decisions…

    Oh, and the best Arnold movie? T2, hands down!

  3. I loved all the over-the-top, unrealistic special effects in the old TR. When it came to the gross stuff, I covered my eyes until the husband said it was done! I watched it again not too long ago and couldn’t believe how cheesy it was, but for its time, the effects were awesome. 🙂 I haven’t seen the new one – I’d forgotten about it. Thanks for the reminder!

  4. As a diehard Philip K. Dick fan, I prefer his original stories to any movies that have been ‘based’ on his work. I never like Schwarzenegger so his presence in the 1st movie was a complete turn-off for me, especially since I loved the original story “We Can Remember It For You Wholesale” which held an element of humor totally lacking from the first movie. Haven’t seen the remake, but I’m not in any hurry, because I doubt it will be any more true to the original PKD story than the first. I find it really sad that so few young people have even heard of PKD today, because he was one of the most original authors to ever live on this planet.

  5. I always thought TR was just campy…so I only watch it if it’s on and I have the flu or something and can’t be bothered to change the channel:) The remake I saw on a flight but kept falling asleep, so I can’t rate it. It would be hard for a film to do Philip K. Dick justice. Even Blade Runner is not really like ” Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?” but I don’t mind b/c it holds up as it’s on film. Can’t really say that for TR.
    I loved Terminator 2. Linda Hamilton was great! That’s the kind of kick-ass heroine I prefer; buff, bitter, and kind of insane. The leather/spandex clad skinny martial arts hot babe is a little overused.

    • ROFL – Ok, I tried to pick out one line to copy as hilarious, but your whole comment had my side hurting from laughter. *smooch*

  6. I read the bad reviews so I’ve avoided going to the new version, but you had me at ‘Beckinsale kicks Farrell’s butt’. I remember how much I loved the bat-crazy Sharon Stone going after Arnold in the first movie. Sci-Fi camp doesn’t get any better than that.

  7. I must say that I too am an old Arnie fan but I agree with you that the old TR was a little too gross for the sake of being gross. I enjoyed the new movie but not as much as I wanted too. I have no problems with the concept of the remake, I just thought it lost a little steam as the move wore on. As if they stopped being creative and started imitating Micheal Bay’s School of Movie Making (just shoot at things and blow them up).

    • I gigled all the way through the scene with the elevator cars going past, up, down, right, left in foreground and background. Made me think of the crazy machine at the center of the ship in Galaxy Quest. I’d like to think Segourney Weaver’s character would have been cheering along with me when they blew up those elevators in TR.

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