Total Recall - re:View

Summary by Krater

Review and comparison of the 1990 science fiction film Total Recall and its 2012 remake, discussing the plot differences, special effects, casting choices, and how they compare to Philip K. Dick's original short story.

From the video

Answers: How does the 1990 Total Recall movie compare to the 2012 remake and the original short story?

• Total Recall 1990 review
• Total Recall 2012 remake comparison
• Philip K. Dick short stories
• Arnold Schwarzenegger action movies
• Colin Farrell sci-fi movies
• Practical effects vs CGI in sci-fi films
• Verhoeven sci-fi style
• Sci-fi movie set design and world-building

What it concludes

• The 1990 Total Recall is a far more weird, interesting, and memorable film than the 2012 remake due to its unique practical effects and Paul Verhoeven's distinct directorial style.
• The 2012 Total Recall remake is overly sleek and visually generic, lacking the unique vision and gritty charm of the original.
• Philip K. Dick's original short story is only 23 pages long, which explains why film adaptations require extensive additions and different plot interpretations.
• Casting changes, such as replacing Scarlett Johansson with Jessica Biel or changing the main villain's casting from Ronny Cox to Bryan Cranston, significantly impacted the dynamics of the 2012 film.
• Paul Verhoeven's use of brutal, excessive practical gore adds a unique layer of danger and grit to his films that modern CGI-heavy blockbusters lack.