Year of Release: 1990
Director: Paul Verhoeven
Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sharon Stone, Rachel Ticotin, Ronny Cox, Michael Ironside, Marshall Bell, Mel Johnson Jr., Michael Champion, Roy Brocksmith, Ray Baker, Rosemary Dunsmore, David Knell
Genre: Action, Sci-Fi, Thriller
Score out of ten (whole numbers only): 6
Watch it on Amazon
Synopsis and Review:
Director Paul Verhoeven continued the interesting phase of his directorial career in the US, following the immense success of "Robocop", with this adaptation of a Philip K. Dick short story. The screenplay from Ronald Shusett and Dan O'Bannon (also responsible for Ridley Scott's "Alien") had been groomed by other directors, before ultimately settling on Verhoeven. The film takes place in the future, and follows the story of Douglas Quaid, a construction worker, who is fascinated by Mars. His wife keeps bringing his attention to other topics, but Doug is focused and fascinated by life on Mars, and how people live in that colony (though the current events speak of an insurrection against the local power, who seems intent on controlling air). Following a visit to an institute (appropriately named Rekall), who is capable of implanting fake memories (which goes awfully awry), Doug gets jumped/attacked by some co-workers, forcing him to kill them in order to escape. When Doug returns home and explains these events to his wife, he suddenly has to defend himself from her, since she's not who she seems. Turns out Doug's memories have been erased and he has gotten a new set of memories, alongside a new life and a new wife. Once he discovers this, as he uncovers who he is, his trail takes him to Mars, where he unmasks a bigger conspiracy.
Paul Verhoeven has made a career out of tackling subject matters that may at times be considered riskier. His approach is definitely a visceral one, where he doesn't brush aside presenting what makes humans eminently human, including the rawness that sometimes comes with those topics. "Total Recall" is no exception to his point of view - a lot of his trademarks, such as the representation of oppressive/repressive authority figures, brutality and bloody fight scenes, and heroes that are flawed, are all on display on this film. Doug Quaid who is supposedly an ordinary worker, finds himself to be a lot more than what he has been led to believe. His existence and his path in this film, is the thread we accompany, as he uncovers the conspiracy, while in the process also understanding who he was and where he wants to be (and of course, brutally dispatching supporting opponents) . The tropes are somewhat familiar and typical, but Verhoeven imbues this film with his visual style and panache, making it entertaining, humorous and even a tad kitsch. It's a film that is aware of the limited character definition scope, but one that has fun with these conventions, not taking itself very seriously. The score from Jerry Goldsmith is impeccable, as is the cinematography from Jost Vacano. The cast is uniformly competent, and it's a nice opportunity to witness Sharon Stone on her way to become a marquee name, which she would do just two years later. Worth watching.
Paul Verhoeven has made a career out of tackling subject matters that may at times be considered riskier. His approach is definitely a visceral one, where he doesn't brush aside presenting what makes humans eminently human, including the rawness that sometimes comes with those topics. "Total Recall" is no exception to his point of view - a lot of his trademarks, such as the representation of oppressive/repressive authority figures, brutality and bloody fight scenes, and heroes that are flawed, are all on display on this film. Doug Quaid who is supposedly an ordinary worker, finds himself to be a lot more than what he has been led to believe. His existence and his path in this film, is the thread we accompany, as he uncovers the conspiracy, while in the process also understanding who he was and where he wants to be (and of course, brutally dispatching supporting opponents) . The tropes are somewhat familiar and typical, but Verhoeven imbues this film with his visual style and panache, making it entertaining, humorous and even a tad kitsch. It's a film that is aware of the limited character definition scope, but one that has fun with these conventions, not taking itself very seriously. The score from Jerry Goldsmith is impeccable, as is the cinematography from Jost Vacano. The cast is uniformly competent, and it's a nice opportunity to witness Sharon Stone on her way to become a marquee name, which she would do just two years later. Worth watching.
0 comments:
Post a Comment