Rating: Summary: I love Sci-fi! Review: One of the greatest sci-fi action movies ever and it's based on a Phillip K. Dick as many others are. I love this movie!
Rating: Summary: Awesome Sci-Fi Action movie! Review: I was just rummaging through my familie's video collection one day, and i came across a movie called total recall. I had no idea of what it was about, so i popped it in, and the words Arnold Schwarzenneger came on the screen. I was like "wow", an arnold schwarzenneger movie that i didn't know about? After i watched it, i was throroughly satisfied with the movie. This is a movie where arnold first started showing his ranges of acting ability. This movie is slow in the first 15-20 minutes, but after arnold get's his implant memory from rekall, the action doesnt stop. His character, Quaid, is being chased by a group of gun-toting henchman on earth, and on mars. There are a plenty of good action sequences, but the one's that stand out the most is when quaid fights his work friend harry and abunch of thugs. It's great watching arnold do some crazy gun shots and martial arts moves. There is a lot of hand-to-hand combat in this movie. Sharon stone displays a little karate as she fights quaid. THe other good action scene is the mars car chase with machine guns, and the shoot-out at the end. A great movie no doubt. If you're ever bored, rent this movie, or BUY IT, it'll be worth it.
Rating: Summary: "Let's Do It...Take A Trip To Mars Review: TOTAL RECALL is an action-packed sci-fi thriller that more than delivers for its audience. Doug Quaid (Arnold Swarzenegger) wakes up from a recurring nightmare, to find his wife, Lori (Sharon Stone) at his side...and all that is familiar to comfort him. The next day, he decides to a virtual reality vacation, in order to clear his head. However, after he arrives at Rekall, he discovers that the life he thought he was living, is all a lie. Taking place in the distant future...Mars is colonized, and the inhabitants are living at the hands of a ruthless leader, Vilos Cohaagen (Ronny Cox). Quaid soon finds himself on the run, and caught in the middle of a battle between the resistance and Cohaagen's plan for a deadly future.Who is Quaid to trust? Is this all part of the vacation? Just whose side is he on anyway?Directed by Paul Verhoven, the film has a lot to like, a good story, plenty of action, and Arnold being well..Arnold. Inspired by a short story from author Phillip K.Dick, the film zips along and keeps things interesting till the end. Actress Rachel Ticotin, as Melina (friend or foe?) proves that she can hold her own with Arnie and makes an interesting sidekick for the action star. The FX hold up very well in today's post CGI environment and help make this movie a favorite of mine from the 90s. As much as I like the film, I have to say, I was a bit disappointed with the limited edition DVD. First, the supposed to be cool packaging, is instead rather cheesey and difficult to handle at times. Verhoven and Arnold's "rare" commentary sounded as though the 2 men were elsewhere when it was recorded, instead of in the same room. The retrospective documentary is a much better extra on the film. The feature on Rekall's virtual vacations, storyboards, concept art, photo gallery, production notes, theatrical trailers/tv spots, and cast and crew information round out the extras. The film has never looked or sounded better with its newly remastered 5.1 soundtrack Despite some reservations over the extras, I still think, this is a must have for action fans Recommended
Rating: Summary: Terrific Sci-Fi Thriller! Review: Following the spectacular success of the sci-fi opus "The Predator", Schwarzenegger and company began searching for another vehicle to use to advantage to continue their winning record of blockbuster films. Here they scored very well with a tightly written, well-scripted, and plot-twisting movie that left Arnold fans screaming for more. Based on an original story by famed Science fiction maven Philip Dick (of "Blade Runner" and "Minority Report" fame), the storyline revolves around the mysterious obsession of a seemingly ordinary construction worker distracted by persistent nightmares of life on Mars. Soon we discover that the worker (played, of course by big Arnie) is anything but ordinary, and that he has good reason for his continuing obsession. The plot rages widely, careening in bizarre but plausible twists from moment to moment, and unless one follows closely it is easy to miss all the clues that Director Paul Verhoeven leaves scattered through the movie to tantalize the viewer. The special effects used here are indeed spectacular and very well executed, and Schwarzenegger takes us on a virtual busman's tour of the world of Mars as it whirls into overdrive, out of control, in the grip of a mysterious series of inexplicable political events and intrigues. Of course, like much of science fiction, there are moral lessons to be appreciated, and a series of intriguing incidents seem more intended as commentaries on contemporary 20th century politics than as anything related to Mars. Still, the plot spins quickly enough to tie the action sequences together nicely, and the cast, which includes both Sharon ZStone as his conniving wife and Ronnie Cox as the villain, does a credible job of delivering us to the eventual climax both entertained and edified. This is one of the best Schwarzenegger offerings in a series of such efforts, including "Running Man', also very well made, and some less well conceived, executed, and received by the public. It is made even better by virtue of the commentaries by the actors, director, and special effects crew on the film, with their perspectives adding immeasurably to one's understanding of the plots and of various interpretations of the film. Nowadays the big guy's career seems to be on the down-turn, although the current buzz has him completing the second sequel to "The Terminator", tentatively called "T-3" for release next summer. If it is as good as the first two, it could revive his flagging film career. Don't worry folks; he'll be back, if not as an actor, than as Governor of the fine state of California! Anything Jessie Ventura can do, he can do better. Enjoy!
Rating: Summary: I'LL BE BACK!! Review: Anyone who is an Arnold fan, and anyone who collects Special Editions, this is a MUST HAVE. A cool round tin keepsake, in the shape of Mars, great extra features and behind the camera stuff that I love so much!! And given that its so afordable, buy it even if you own it on video and laser disc, the industry has come so far you HAVE to get all you can on DVD. It is the future of movies. SO don't so like I did and come late to the party, convert now and little by little you will be very happy with your growing collection of treasures as am I!! The Last Action Hero is another aforable Arnold must have, on DVD of course, video is going the way of 8 track I am sorry to say.
Rating: Summary: Open your mind to me. Open your miiiiinnnnd. Review: This movie is a benchmark for action-adventure sci-fi. Brilliant original storyline filled with perfectly casted actors from Arnie to Sharon Stone in her first big film role.
If you're looking for a thriller that never uses the breaks and never lets you go, this is it. Sorry if this review is a bit like the description on the back of a video-store movie, but I can't say enough for the storyline, action, FX, dialogue, characters, and entertainment value packed into this high quality movie.
-- JJ Timmins
Rating: Summary: Give the People Air! Review: TOTAL RECALL is probably the ultimate "Aunuld" Schwarzenegger movie this side of the "Terminator" movies. An adrenalin rush of moviemaking courtesy of director Paul Verhoeven and his use of gratuitous violence, blood, gore, and special effects. Arnold as Douglas Quaid(Hauser?) finds out his whole existence is an implanted memory to conceal another existence on the planet Mars. The planet is in turmoil as mutants with all sorts of disabilities, deformaties, and special psychic abilities are fighting with the planet's ruler Cohagen (Ronny Cox) over the planets air supply. Quaid/Hauser must travel to Mars and find out his true identity and calling. In the meantime he is being chased by Cohagen's henchman Richter(Micheal Ironside) and his cohorts, torn between two women Melina (Rachel Ticotin) and his supposed wife Lori (Sharon Stone) and is in search of a master mutant in charge of the mutant rebellion, Kuato who may have the key to his lost identity and information about Mars' prehistory. Great special effects, action sequences, violent fighting situations and futuristic set designs. One of Aunuld's best movies of its time and again some classic lines in which its not the words being said, but how they are being said by Schwarzenegger (i.e. "You got what you want Cohagen,give the people 'aeah'[air]!"
Rating: Summary: Totally Call'able - Fun DVD Review: Total recall was a great action film. Totally Sci-Fi. The concept of dreaming and reality combining together is fun.
The performances were sharp and the special effects great. The technology is cool and the concept very interesting. What makes this DVD special is that it is a great tour of the things that goes into making a big budget film. The problems they ran into and the fact the film almost didn't get made. The commentary is fun and interesting and Paul Verhoven discusses shooting in the hot desert soundstages and locations of Mexcio. Arnold himself makes some great commentary and expresses how much fun and hard work it was to make this movie. He makes me laugh a lot - together they obviously had some fun. A must for every Sci Fi collector. Just a really fun film! But it!
Rating: Summary: Question of Reality Review: Pure genius! Paul Verhoeven's "Total Recall" is the ultimate mind trip and it stars the greatest person alive, Arnold Schwarzenegger! He goes on 'vacation' to Mars and lives as a secret agent. But, what is real and what isn't? Douglas Quaid doesn't remember anything from his 'first visit to Mars' and he uncovers the truth in this fast-paced work of genius. The action is fast and furious with grotesque images. The plot really, is straightforward. Who can't follow this movie. Only geniuses can understand this movie and I do! Arnold Schwarzenegger and Rachel Ticotin have chemistry! So does Sharon Stone! The make-up in this masterpiece is exceptional and truly stands out from any other science fiction film. Especially when the heroes fall onto Mars dirt. Their eyes are huge and disgusting! Support Arnold forever and long live the immortalage.
Rating: Summary: One of Verhoven's best Review: Paul Verhoven's sci fi thriller Total Recall is one of his best films and also one of his most unashamedly ultra-violent. Verhoven's penchant for violence, strong female charcters and the obligatory nudity are all present and correct. In what would be one of Schwarzenegger's last good action films of late, the big man goes to Mars on a mission. Or does he? And this is what raises the film above standard sci fi fare, the 'is he or isn't he?' twists are clever and make the viewer actually use his/her brain! Shocker! Plot twists aside, the gore-factor sometimes goes too far, making this a very uneasy watch, and the film does tend to get formulaic at the ending. But it's Verhoven firing off all cylinders here with amazing action, astounding landscapes on Mars, some great one-liners, impressive FX and Arnie pulling a golf ball- sized tracking device out his nose! What more could you want? Extras, you say? Well this DVD has plenty for all the devotees, including a commentary from crazy Verhoven and Arnie going back and forth, 'making of's and tons of production material. A great movie, an equally great disc.
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