Weekly Review -- Life/File

Total Recall (2012) -- A good remake is one of the rarest cinematic gems. This elusive entity usually takes one of two routes -- it can be a modernized interpretation of the original tale or a new perspective on the same. Len Wiseman's Total Recall takes the latter approach, building a new world out of Philip K. Dick's dystopian fable.

The film moves the action from interplanetary locations to Earth, rendered nearly uninhabitable following a period of chemical warfare. Haunted by strange nightmares and desperate for a break from his monotonous routine, factory worker Douglas Quaid (Colin Farrell) visits Rekall, an agency specializing in implanting desired memories. After the procedure goes wrong, Quaid finds out that his existence is not what it seems...

Right off the bat, I will say that I am not certain why so many people carry a torch for the Paul Verhoeven original while criticizing the 2012 version. Sure, the first film is an action classic, set in a future that had previously not been imagined in cinema. Its rebellion aspect is more complex, the screenplay is chock-full of trademark Arnold Schwarzenegger one-liners and its satire is awash in delectable camp. At the same time, the Mars storyline drags on toward the end and the camp factor does not aid the story, which I feel would have benefited from somber tones. I think that Wiseman's film accomplishes this task and am convinced that, had it not been a remake, it would have been better received.

The 2012 incarnation has shortcomings -- namely a screenplay that merely scratches the surface -- but successfully transports the narrative to a vicious urban jungle, with updated effects to boot. As much as I like the original, its ambiance has never felt very ominous to me. Maybe it was the cinematography, maybe it was Schwarzenegger's acting; either way, I feel that its tortured landscapes should have appeared more desolate. The remake presents a cold, concrete-infested digital wasteland; a sewage system for the soul, if you will, and a change that is intriguing within the identity search context. The action scenes are stunning and the set design is dazzling in a sleek, clinical manner. The remake complements the story visually, even if the crisp, to-the-point writing needs a dose of reflection. I really liked the parts that delved into the nature of truth and personality and wish that the script had been more focused on these elements, since the blend of philosophy and high-tech graphics could have elevated the film to new heights.

The performances are good, but suffer from a lack of character development. A versatile actor, Farrell has not yet had many opportunities to show off his range. He taps into Quaid's fragmented present to solve the puzzle of his eradicated past and his reactions to his discoveries are pure, appropriate shell-shock; the shootout and the piano sequence are the best examples. I wish we had got to witness Quaid's menacing side, since it would have made for a nice juxtaposition. Jessica Biel's role is vague and I get the sense that we do not care half as much about Melina as we should. Anyone could have played the role as it was written, but Biel is still convincing as the freedom fighter. Kate Beckinsale left me beyond impressed with her physicality and action prowess. I was aware of her skills from the Underworld series, but here she outdoes herself with the kind of stunts performed. Seriously, I get dizzy just thinking about her sequences. On another note, I am very happy that the role of Lori Quaid was expanded. I have always thought that she was killed off too soon in the original, when so much could have been done with her delicious villainy, a job that Beckinsale does with relish. Lastly, I love seeing Bill Nighy in any film or TV piece and it is too bad that neither he nor Bryan Cranston are given a lot to do as the rebel leader Matthias and the nefarious Cohaagen, respectively.

The new Total Recall is a fun, action-filled ride through realms of memory, identity and reality. Drenched in steely, subterranean visuals and peppered with homages to the first film, it presents a new -- if at times one-dimensional -- take on the tale. Do not trust the naysayers. Instead, in the words of a certain traveler, get ready for a surprise. 

8/10