TotalTelly.co.uk

Devoted to Popular, Cult and Retro TV

Total Recall (2 Disc Special Edition) [1990]


RRP: £19.99
Our Price: £4.14 (subject to change)

Clever film that will keep you dreaming...
Review date: 2008-05-26 Rating: 8 out of 10

Blood, Guns, Excellent Effects, Terrible one-liners, but fantastic plots make up a classic 80's/early 90's film. It would appear Total Recall fits all these catergories, and suffice to say that only Arnie S could fill this role.

I've always felt A.S has got away with his acting cheaply at times. His enormous physique led him to star roles in films like The Terminator, which inevitably, opened up options as the 'tough guy'. Though their is one flaw. His acting is as wooden as the desk this keyboard is on. Needless to say, his role is un-convincing at the best of times, particularly when he tries to act romantic...

But lets face it, he wouldn't be in this film if their wasn't any action, but the latter comes much later in the film. Instead, were presented with his life at the beginning; married to the absolutely gorgeous (and still young) Sharon Stone, and settled in a new home that typically, in retro 'futuristic' style, looks like they live in a tin can. However, he's having some bad nightmares that see him on Mars with a young lady. Next thing he know's, he slips and breaks his helmet, resulting his face about to pop! The continuation of such a nightmare forces him to confront his dream.

On the way back from work, he discovers an advert for an organisation that specialise in making cognitive (mental) dreams come true; Rekall. Needless to say, off he pops down there to get his 'Mars' package. But is all what it seems when he enters the dream-like world? Or did he even enter it?...

As many other reviewers have suggested, the possibility of many different routes in this situation leaves you wondering for hours after watching the film what really happend. Though this event takes place only near the beginning of the, it has a significant outcome on how you perceive the film. In typical fashion, like 'Blade Runner', their is no definitive proof to what actually did happen.

The action enters play when Arnie has to constantly defend himself from people that want to kill him. In an ideal world, I can think of many film characters that would crave such revenge (Predator, T-1000, Sarah Connor...) but this is Total Recall, so it is a constant array of rebellions that seek to kill Arnie, who has no recollection of his past on Mars, or anything that happend since going to 'Rekall', because the staff typically panicked and sent him a handy "forget-this-event" drug... Our confused, but by no means tired protagonist now has a quest. Who is he, really?

Upon first viewing, it's easy to get a little confused by who's who and the names, but on a second watching you'll be alot clearer about what's happening. Effects wise, this film ticks all the boxes for what convincing visuals should be. All gun shot wounds are good old fashioned ketchup-filled body packs (seemingly filled to the brim - either that or Arnie just knows how to put extra power behind his bullets!) and all else, including a rather amusing 'axe' wielding scene in which he groans and almost chops a mans head off is both hand-gripping and great! You just can't beat real effects! (Check out the arm-chop scene on the elevator...)

Their is also some early use of CGI which was a big deal at the time; from some nice X-Ray visuals to very very clever use of modelling photography around a base computer model on the scene in which Arnie changes hinself into a woman.

4 Stars is a fair score. Indeed, the acting from the big guy is only as good as the weapon he has infront of him, but would the film be the same without him? Never! Stick your feet up and feast yourself on a puzzling but highly enjoyable classic film!

Similar Products

Reviews


CLASSIC SCIENCE FICTION
Review date: 2007-10-25 Rating: 8 out of 10

Quite bloodthirsty in places but a very clever storyline and great special effects throughout.

Arnie's character... good or bad, you really don't know until the end of the film.

Quality of sound and picture are excellent
Review date: 2007-09-07 Rating: 10 out of 10

One has to wonder if the reviewer who wrote his review 23 Jul 2007 actually is writing about the same DVD.

My review is in relation to ' Total Recall (2 Disc Special Edition) ' ASIN: B0002VF5SO

My only Complaint is that the aspect ratio is 1.85:1 Anamorphic and not 2.35:1 which I prefer.

Apart from that the quality of sound and picture are excellent and the menus are very amusing.

Audio Commentary by Arnold Schwarzenegger and Paul Verhoeven
Audio Commentary by cinematographer Jost Vacano
Teasers and Trailers
Making Of feature
"Imagining Total Recall" 30 minute feature
"Visions of Mars" feature
"The World of Science Fiction Literature" documentary
Virtual Vacations
Storyboard/ Film Comparisons
Photo Gallery
Conceptual Artwork

taken the above into account and the price which is under £ 6 really its a Bargain.

Total violence, total tosh - but oddly compulsive
Review date: 2007-08-15 Rating: 8 out of 10

I'm not a great Arnie fan but this is eminently watchable for reasons other than his performance which is as wooden as ever - just as well his script is mainly one-liners (including nods to Jurassic Park and Terminator 1). One reason is the theme of mind-altering (not just brainwashing)that is essential to the 'plot' (in quotes because although there is one it's sketchy to say the best for it). The idea of implanting memories and wiping real memories seems like SF now, but I bet that if the human race survives its tendency to wage war in the name of assorted religions, this sort of thing will become a reality. The violence is constant and ranges from standard shoot-out with Arnie invulnerable and effortlessly hitting anything he points a gun at, to some gruesome one on one action. Sharon Stone is possibly the best thing in the film in her portrayal of vindictiveness and treachery.

Great film but!!!!!!!!!!
Review date: 2007-07-23 Rating: 8 out of 10

The picture quality on this dvd is awful. Its like a bad vhs tape. A shame as this is the first edition with any extras. My advice is stick with the 2001 edition or wait for a remastered edition to arrive.

Product Details/Specifications


Artist(s):
Total Recall

Recording label: Momentum Pictures
Manufacturer: Momentum Pictures
EAN: 5060049145761
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 2
Format: Box set, PAL, Special Edition, Subtitled,
Release date: 2005-06-13
Audience rating: Suitable for 18 years and over
Region code: 2
Running time: 109 minutes
Theatrical release date: 1990
Language: English (Original Language)

Add to Cart

© 2006 Darren Hester, DesignsByDarren.com, Some Rights Reserved.
Valid XHTML 1.0 Transitional