Total Recall

Once again we have another remake in our midst. The list is so lengthy, that I'm not going to bore you with facts, suffice it to say, this remake of "Total Recall" certainly is better than that of its predecessor, the 1987 version of the same name.

For a factory worker named Douglas Quaid (Colin Farrell), even though he's got a beautiful wife, Lori (Kate Beckinsale) who he loves, a trip to Rekall, recommended by a new co-worker, Marek (Will Yun Lee), sounds like the perfect diversion from his frustrating life. 'Real' memories of a life as a super spy might be just what he needs. But something during the Rekall procedure triggers something in his mind and now is living out that supposed 'real' memory.
Quaid soon realizes that his wife, Lori is a cooperative who now has to try to kill him and Doug is now on the run from her and the police until he comes upon Melina (Jessica Biel). Can he trust her? Can he trust anyone at this point?

Others to round out the cast are Bryan Cranston as Cohaagen, Bokeem Woodbine as Harry, Doug's friend and co-worker, Bill Nighy as Matthias, head of the resistance, and John Cho as McClane, head of Rekall.

This was grittily directed by Len Wiseman ("Underwood" '03, "Underworld: Evolution" '06, "Live Free and Die Hard" '07). This guy knows what should go into a guy flick in that there's not only the usual adrenaline, explosions, some romance, a good vs. evil format, but so much of the time he gives us great photography and usually a nice, tight story to work with.
Which brings us to the writers. This was meticulously written by Kurt Wimmer and Mark Bomback based on a screen story by Ronald Shusett, Dan O'Bannon, Jon Povill, and Wimmer, which was based on the short story, "We Can Remember It for You Wholesale" by Philip K. Dick. Dick has to be my favorite storyteller. There are many films which have been based on a Dick story, such as "Blade Runner", "A Scanner Darkly", "Minority Report", and "The Adjustment Bureau".This guy was a visionary in that he wrote "Minority Report" in 1954, before all the 'big brother' and Orwell's 1984 became big issues. Dick was a cynic that was bent on the conspiracy theory mindset. He was always asking questions like "if this were to happen, would it be OK, or would it open up Pandora's box? He kept you thinking.

The visual effects predominantly designed and created by MPC (Moving Picture Company) and Double Negative were absolutely amazing, in fact so good that they almost upstaged the rest of the production, but didn't. The miniatures, matte paintings, and sets were equally stunning and along with IMAX, you have one unbelievable roller coaster ride.

Out of 4 stars: 3.5                       Rated: PG-13                       118min.