Total Recall Review

If I had to sum up my review of Total Recall in one word it would be "meh."

"Meh" would mean that I didn't hate it, but I didn't love it. I wouldn't see it again, but in a few years if it is on TNT and I am flipping through channels I might pause for an extra 5 seconds before flipping to the next channel.

I think the original Total Recall (1990) is really great. I remember thinking "oh another Arnold Schwarzenegger action movie," but I found myself enjoying it a lot especially the ambiguity of reality throughout it.

However, the remake is nothing like that. First off, there are so many lens flares that it would make J.J. Abrams blush. At times the flares make it hard to tell what is exactly going on. Besides these, the movie looks phenomenal! The shots are really cool as well as the colors and tones. They look has a bit of a Bladerunner feel to it.

My main problem was that the movie didn't feel like anything new. It wasn't anything I hadn't seen before. I know that sounds stupid because it is a remake, but it feels like any other action movie: a car chase, cheesy dialogue, convoluted plot points, and Jessica Biel.

The best part about the movie is Bryan Cranston, who should have had more screen time. He was a great villain and stole what little of a show there was.

Total Recall gets a 5 out of 10 Rekalls!