Plot: What’s it about?
Before the event of so many “Must See Summer Movies” there was Total Recall. While not exactly the event movie of 1990, it was certainly a money-maker for Arnold Schwarzenegger. Arnold was still king of the action box office with hits like Kindergarten Cop, Predator and Twins in recent memory. So when he teamed with Director Paul Verhoeven who was best-known for his efforts on “RoboCop”, it was certainly something to be seen. While it’s considered a science fiction movie, the concepts in Total Recall aren’t totally foreign to us. In the not so distant future, we have established a life on Mars and as a resort to taking vacations, we have people selling us vacations in the form of memory implants. The way they see it “Why take the actual trip, when you can remember it like you already took it”? This sets the scene for Arnold and his attempt to actually act, instead of just how us his body yet again…To be quite honest, it took me more than one viewing of this movie to fully understand it. Part of the vision and mastery of Paul Verhoeven is that he can take difficult scripts (movies) and turn them around so you literally don’t know what’s going on. Or at least, that’s what I got out of it the first time I saw it. But in the meantime, sit back and get ready for a surprise!
Douglas Quaid (Arnold Schwarzenegger) is a humble worker. While not the most ambitious man, he does have a nice home to go to and an even nicer wife (Sharon Stone). He feels the need to go to a local retailer by the name of Rekall. What Rekall does is sell you memory implants to vacations of far away places, without actually going there. Against everyone’s advice, he decides to enlist the services of Rekall, but soon finds that his life is not his own…or at least he thinks so. Now this is where the confusion can easily set in. Quaid is man Arnold (I write ‘Arnold’ because it gets so tiring to write out ‘Schwarzenegger’ time and again) is playing at the beginning of the movie. But as we (and Quaid) find out, he is not actually him…he’s another man by the name of Douglas Howser (also Arnold) who is part of the ruling class on Mars. You see, Mars is to the Earth like Puerto Rico is to the United States. They’re almost a part of us, but there is a class of people who either don’t want it or are unwilling to accept it to happen. After a bothced memory implant, Quaid is told by some “friends” to head to the real Mars where he is needed to find Kuato (Marshall Bell). Kuato is described as the “George Washington” of Mars, as life in the Martian mines has formed a race of mutant beings.
Confused yet? It’s ok…it gets worse (in the best since of the term). We do learn that Quaid’s life on Earth was a set up, but Quaid refuses to believe that he is anyone but himself, and so the struggle ensues. He ends up having to trust someone from a memory implant (Rachel Ticotin) and is being chased by some of Cohaagen’s (Ronny Cox) men. To fill you in, Cohaagen is the man in charge on Mars and Arnold’s character of Howser is his second in command. By this point I was very confused, this is not only an action movie, but one in which you have to think and keep up with; that’s something that Hollywood can’t seem to produce much of anymore. Still, I feel it’s one of Arnold’s better roles, and one that’s been argued over time and again. If you’ve never seen Total Recall, this is the DVD to own, as it’s been given a new transfer and supplements that were absent on the old DVD are on this in spades. But prepare yourself…you might have to watch it more than once!
Video: How does it look?
Like Basic Instinct, this was another early DVD release from Artisan (then called Live Entertainment). The transfer featured a non-anamorphic 1.85:1 image that looked ok by the standards of the day, but as I watched my old version a few weeks ago; it looks awful by today’s standards. Thankfully, Artisan has given us a newly remastered anamorphic image that takes full advantage of the capabilities of the format. Colors seem muted still, but that’s the way the director intended…a dull, drab future (though not as dull and drab as ‘Blade Runner’). Edge enhancement is present, though it’s hardly noticeable and it won’t distract from your viewing pleasure in the least. Black levels do have a bit of a problem in some scenes (same as Basic Instinct), but for the most part, you’ll find that this new version is leaps and bounds better than the old one.
Audio: How does it sound?
Like the old Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack included on the original DVD, this one has been remastered in a “new” version that sounds better. There’s little you can do to make a soundtrack sound that much better, but Total Recall does sound as good as I’ve ever heard it (and I can’t exactly remember how it sounded when I saw it in the Summer of 1990). Dialogue is very clean and free of any distortion while the surrounds do get a chance to do some work as well. I mean, what is a science fiction movie without great sound? However, most of the action is limited to the front three channels and the subwoofer does get a chance to strut it’s stuff as well. Overall, it’s a newly remastered soundtrack that sounds just as good as it looks. But if you’re looking for demo material here, folks…try a memory implant of “Saving Private Ryan”.
Supplements: What are the extras?
The original Total Recall had nothing, so it’s only fair that this new version has a plethora of extras. First, let me get it out of the way…the case. I received the new “Special Limited Edition” and while it looks cool, it’s just too damn hard to open. Not to mention that the disc rests on a bed of foam that just can’t be too groovy for the DVD. My advice, go to Wal-Mart and buy a three pack of new Alpha cases and place this disc in one of them (it might also help to label the disc “Total Recall: Special Edition” as well). You can use the metallic two piece case for whatever you like, perhaps a change jar or something! Anything except a case for the DVD. While I commend Artisan on a fine job with a great title, they seem to be pretty apt to use these gimmicky cases (T2, this, Basic Instinct) to showcase them. Hmmm…oh well. We are treated to a commentary with Arnold Schwarzenegger and Paul Verehoeven, but if you can understand them through the whole thing you’re a better person than I. While informative at times, both of their accents are just too thick to get a whole lot from the track. Still, I suppose it’s better to have it than not. And that’s the heart of the extras. There’s also some conecptual art and the standard Production Notes, Trailer and Cast and Crew Bios. Bottom line…if you don’t own Total Recall, then get this; just get a different case to hold it. Artisan has done right the second time around, as most studios are doing these days.
