Total Recall (2012)

A factory worker, Douglas Quaid, begins to suspect that he is a spy after visiting Recall - a company that provides its clients with implanted fake memories of a life they would like to have led - goes wrong and he finds himself on the run.

Director:

Len Wiseman

Writers:

Kurt Wimmer (screenplay by), Mark Bomback (screenplay by)

Stars:

Colin Farrell, Bokeem Woodbine, Bryan Cranston

1 win & 5 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Colin Farrell	...	Douglas Quaid / Hauser
Kate Beckinsale	...	Lori Quaid
Jessica Biel	...	Melina
Bryan Cranston	...	Cohaagen
Bokeem Woodbine	...	Harry
Bill Nighy	...	Matthias
John Cho	...	McClane
Will Yun Lee	...	Marek
Milton Barnes	...	Resistance Fighter
James McGowan	...	Military Adjutant
Natalie Lisinska	...	Bohemian Nurse
Michael Therriault	...	Bank Clerk
Stephen MacDonald	...	Slacker
Mishael Morgan	...	Rekall Receptionist
LinLyn Lue	...	Resistance Woman

Storyline

Originally adapted by director Paul Verhoeven in 1990, author Philip K. Dick's classic Sci-Fi short story We Can Remember It for You Wholesale returns to the big screen in this remake starring Colin Farrell, Bryan Cranston, and Kate Beckinsale, and directed by Underworld's Len Wiseman. The planet has been decimated by nuclear war in the late 21st century, leaving only two nations -- the United Federation of Britain and the Colony. Douglas Quaid (Farrell) is a factory worker with a stable job and a loving wife (Beckinsale), but upon learning that a company named Rekall could grant him the memory of the ultimate espionage adventure, he decides that a virtual vacation is better than no vacation at all. But in the midst of having the new memories implanted, something goes haywire. Still strapped to the chair as the system breaks down, he's branded a spy as the authorities close in, and quickly flees for his life. Later, Quaid discovers that he has a secret identity, and he joins forces ...

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Plot Keywords:

false memory | implanted memory | remake | based on short story | factory | 

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Taglines:

What is real?

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Mystery | Sci-Fi | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi violence and action, some sexual content, brief nudity, and language

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook

Country:

USA Canada

Language:

English Ukrainian

Release Date:

3 August 2012 (USA)

Also Known As:

El vengador del futuro

Filming Locations:

CFB Borden, Borden, Ontario, Canada

Box Office

Budget:

$125,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$25,577,758, 5 August 2012, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$58,877,969

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$198,467,168

Company Credits

Production Co:

Total Recall,Original Film,Prime Focus

Technical Specs

Runtime:

118 min 130 min (extended director's cut)

Sound Mix:

SDDS Datasat Dolby Digital Dolby Atmos Dolby Surround 7.1

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The Region A Blu-Ray from Sony Pictures includes an Audio Descriptive Track.

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Goofs

While Melina is hanging from the elevator Hauser asks her for her gun but she still has it in her holster when entering the elevator.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Melina: Wake up. Wake up. Wake up.

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Alternate Versions

The scene where the three-breasted woman is topless has been re-shot for the US release due to different moral standards. The version released in European countries is unchanged.

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Connections

Featured in Practically Real: The Action of 'Total Recall' (2012)

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Soundtracks

Piano Sonata No. 14 in C-sharp minor
Op. 27, No. 2 ("Moonlight Sonata")
Written by Ludwig van Beethoven
Performed by Colin Farrell

User Reviews

Total let down

This movie is one of those remakes which is not as good as the original 90s version. In other words it was pointless.

There is some continuing action that keeps one mildly engaged but the story is weak. The Arnie version had a clear and interesting plot with charm and wit remember "Sweetheart, be reasonable. After all, we're married!", "Consider this a divorce". Also the climax was grand and fascinating - the lack of oxygen bug eyed thing.

There are some vast multi level future cities that resemble an overcrowded Hong Kong or Shanghai. But the chase routines that race through them are repetitive after a while.

Kate Beckinsale's character kept popping back too many times and there is no reason why she is so relentless. Maybe just because her husband is the director. It was nice to see Jessica Biel in a big budget movie again. Colin Farrell plays a more regular guy than an action hero which is good but he doesn't have interesting lines to deliver.

Overall, see this if you want to but be warned it's not as good as the 90s version.