Film Reviews Blog: 'Total Recall' Forgetful Remake

The film is rated PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi violence and action, some sexual content and language.

The remake of "Total Recall" is like designer ripped jeans. The jeans look new, are based on something old, but the pre-ripped holes lack any character.

This remake does nothing more than prove that Hollywood has gotten lazy and tired.

Over the years, thanks to the advancement of modern technology and computer animation, filmmakers have gotten better at making films look good but in the process have forgotten how to tell stories.

Like the original, our hero, Douglas Quaid (Colin Farrell), is a blue-collar worker dissatisfied with his life. He goes to Rekall, a company that provides fake memory implants for an escape to a new life.

From there Quaid goes on the run seeking for answers of who he really is, all the while trying to escape his murderous wife Lori (Kate Beckinsale), who was hired to keep tabs on him.

The major difference between the two movies is this time around, it all takes place on Earth. There is no inhabited Mars. There are no mutants. The only thing that comes close to being mutant-esqe is the neon glowing tattoos.

Of course there are a few nods to the original, one of which being the famous three-breasted woman. However, it doesn't make any sense because THERE ARE NO MUTANTS in this version. She comes out of nowhere and just as quickly disappears.

Aside from taking place in the future, there really are no other elements of science fiction in this film.

"Total Recall" has been stripped down to a basic action popcorn flick that takes place in the future. There is a lot less gore, which has been replaced with more explosions, parkour, and car chases (unfortunately there is no Johnny Cab).

The remake lacks the wit and dark humor that made the original entertaining and a smart futuristic satire of corrupt capitalistic greed. Instead, due to the serious tone of the film, any jokes that are made come off far cheesier than those made in the original.

Throughout, Recall is simply a vague recollection of science fiction films of past, from its "Minority Report"-like car chase to the "V For Vendetta"-like government concocted terrorist propaganda.

Skip this remake and enjoy a true sci-fi film rather than this regurgitated action film that poses as one.