Total Recall 2070 (1999– )

Creator:

Art Monterastelli

Stars:

Michael Easton, Karl Pruner, Cynthia Preston

Nominated for 1 Primetime Emmy. Another 3 wins & 8 nominations.

Cast

Series cast summary:
Michael Easton	...	David Hume (22 episodes, 1999)
Karl Pruner	...	Ian Farve (22 episodes, 1999)
Cynthia Preston	...	Olivia Hume (22 episodes, 1999)
Michael Rawlins	...	Martin Ehrenthal (22 episodes, 1999)
Judith Krant	...	Olan Chang (22 episodes, 1999)
Matthew Bennett	...	James Calley (22 episodes, 1999)
Damon D'Oliveira	...	Detective Moralez (13 episodes, 1999)

Storyline

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Plot Keywords:

based on adaptation | cyberpunk

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Genres:

Sci-Fi

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for some violence, sexuality and language

Details

Official Sites:

Space [ca]

Country:

Canada Germany USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

7 March 1999 (USA)

Also Known As:

Desafiament total

Filming Locations:

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Company Credits

Production Co:

Alliance Atlantis Communications, PolyGram Television, Pro 7

Technical Specs

Runtime:

44 min 44 min (22 episodes)

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Connections

Follows Total Recall 2070 (1999)

User Reviews

Unique show about the future

When I read this show was very much Philip K Dick inspired, using many of his ideas, rather than just a spin off, I knew I had to see it.

Total Recall 2070 shows a futuristic world dominated by multinational corporations, many of them operating on Mars as well. While crime has reduced spectacularly, there are still many problems in society. The show deals with a lot of cyberpunk topics: brain manipulation, androids, genetics, virtual reality, viruses etcetera. The CPB, a type of independent police force, often competing with other jurisdictions, has their hands full on it.

Visually the show is literally very dark with sparse lighting and often a foggy, rainy scenery whenever things take place outside. Clearly the show had a tight budget, often repeating the same cgi imagery transiting between scenes to show parts of the city, but it was very cleverly used. The backgrounds show us but a glimpse of a grim world that is rebuilding itself on technology, nature having been destroyed mostly.

The show is not overly addictive, but I think this is because it is not as easy to digest as a lot of other shows. Also it may have to do with each episode being stand alone, limiting the complexity, though to a still more than adequate level.

It may come across as just another cop show, just set in the future, but it's really much deeper than your average police fare. Granted, some characters, like David Hume's wife, or the female lab researcher, Olan Chang, are underdeveloped. But Hume and Farve, his android partner, are excellently casted. Hume is the cool, but emotional and aggressive agent, while Farve is the brilliant investigator, looking for his unknown origins.

The ambient synth music fits very well with the whole Blade Runner feel. It would be unfair to compare it all with what Vangelis and Ridley Scott did for atmosphere: for a TV show they've done a good job transferring the script to a very watchable programme.

Total Recall has occasional swearing and some sex but it is all functional, not just for the heck of it. Overall a very smart show with a lot of conspiracy, cover ups, tensions, but most importantly very relevant issues regarding humanity's fate in a world where technology can be one's friend or worst enemy, depending who is using it, who wants to have it, who owns it and who decides what is legal to do with it.

Highly recommended for the patient viewer, in particular avid Philip K Dick and sci fi fans.