• Pop Culture
    • Movies
    • Television
    • Comic Books
    • Video Games
    • Toys & Collectibles
  • Features
    • News
    • Reviews
    • Articles and Opinions
    • Interviews
    • Exclusives
    • Flickering Myth Films
    • FMTV
  • About
    • About Flickering Myth
    • Write for Flickering Myth
    • Advertise on Flickering Myth
  • Socials
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
    • Bluesky
    • Instagram
    • Flipboard
    • Linktree
    • X
  • Terms
    • Terms of Use
    • Privacy Policy

Flickering Myth

Geek Culture | Movies, TV, Comic Books & Video Games

  • News
  • Reviews
  • Articles & Opinions
  • Write for Us
  • The Baby in the Basket

Movie Review – Total Recall (2012)

August 3, 2012 by admin

Total Recall, 2012.

Directed by Len Wiseman.

Starring Colin Farrell, Kate Beckinsale, Jessica Biel, Bryan Cranston, Bookee Woodbine, Bill Nighy and John Cho.

SYNOPSIS:


A factory worker haunted by a recurring dream and bored with the routine nature of his existence seeks fake memory implants only to have them unlock recollections of another life.

In many ways, the original 1990 film with Arnold Schwarzenegger (Commando) reflects the hulking and deadpan persona of its leading man while the latest version is as brooding and fleet-footed as Colin Farrell (Miami Vice). Personally I was happy to see the campiness replaced with a more serious tone; however, some quick wit would have added much needed brevity to the affair.

Whereas co-screenwriter Kurt Wimmer was able to produce an intriguing spin on Fahrenheit 451 (1966) with Equilibrium (2002), he adopts a formulaic approach with his retelling of We Can Remember It for You Wholesale by science fiction paranoia specialist Philip K. Dick. A common problem with the action genre is that with all the chasing going on there is so little time to get to know the characters in order to care about them. When the moment arrives where Colin Farrell must decide between reclaiming his old life or embracing his current one, it lacks the emotional wallop that the scene deserves.

The setting shift from Mars to Earth is not distracting as distinct worlds are created between the rich motherland located in Britain and the poor colony situated in Australia. Holograms, which are a staple of any futuristic vision, are integrated effectively, with glass serving as a key conduit. The technological show-stopper is the missile which upon impact releases hundreds of miniature cameras like shrapnel. The black and white coloured robotic police force known as Synths hark back to the Stormtroopers from Star Wars (1977) and the highway pursuit with the magnet vehicles is overshadowed by another film which also cast Farrell, Minority Report (2002).

The knockout beauty and athletic combination of Kate Beckinsale (Underworld) and Jessica Biel (The Illusionist) are underused as they are handcuffed by the pursuer and love-interest roles assigned to them. As a villain Bryan Cranston (Drive) offers a cigar-chomping type of performance which lacks the vicious bite of his Breaking Bad television persona. Truth be known, the story has been crippled by the mass box office appeal required for a blockbuster budget; whereas, if it was a third the size with an R rated sensibility I sense Total Recall would have been memorable.

Flickering Myth Rating: Film ★ ★ ★ / Movie ★ ★

Trevor Hogg

Filed Under: Uncategorized

FMTV – Watch Our Latest Video Here

WATCH OUR MOVIE NOW FOR FREE ON PRIME VIDEO!

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE:

The Essential 90s Action Movies

The Most Terrifying Movie Psychopaths of the 1990s

Fantastical, Flawed and Madcap: 80s British Horror Cinema

10 Great Modern Horror Classics You Have To See

The Rise of Paul Thomas Anderson: A Living Legend

Can Edgar Wright conquer America with The Running Man?

10 Horror Movies That Avoided the Director Sophomore Slump

10 Great Neo-Western Movies You Need To See

The Must-See Movies of 2015

7 Kick-Ass Female-Led Action Movies

Top Stories:

18 Incredible 21st Century Films You May Have Missed

10 Great 1980s Sci-Fi Adventure Movies

Movie Review – Superman (2025)

Crazy Cult 80s Movies You May Have Missed

4K Ultra HD Review – Quatermass 2 (1957)

Movie Review – Sovereign (2025)

“Dexter In Space” – Michael C. Hall talks 20 years of Dexter and where the killer will go next

Movie Review – Abraham’s Boys (2025)

STREAM FREE ON PRIME VIDEO!

FEATURED POSTS:

10 Incredibly Influential Action Movies

The 10 Best Villains in Sylvester Stallone Movies

10 Essential Home Invasion Horror Movies

What If? Five Marvel Movies That Were Almost Made

Our Partners

  • Pop Culture
    • Movies
    • Television
    • Comic Books
    • Video Games
    • Toys & Collectibles
  • Features
    • News
    • Reviews
    • Articles and Opinions
    • Interviews
    • Exclusives
    • Flickering Myth Films
    • FMTV
  • About
    • About Flickering Myth
    • Write for Flickering Myth
    • Advertise on Flickering Myth
  • Socials
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
    • Bluesky
    • Instagram
    • Flipboard
    • Linktree
    • X
  • Terms
    • Terms of Use
    • Privacy Policy

© Flickering Myth Limited. All rights reserved. The reproduction, modification, distribution, or republication of the content without permission is strictly prohibited. Movie titles, images, etc. are registered trademarks / copyright their respective rights holders. Read our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. If you can read this, you don't need glasses.


 

Flickering MythLogo Header Menu
  • News
  • Reviews
  • Articles & Opinions
  • Write for Us
  • The Baby in the Basket