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Movie: Total Recall (2012)

Is it real? Is it recall?

Total Recall (2012) is the remake of Total Recall (1990). However, unlike its predecessor, the 2012 movie, directed by Underworld's Len Wiseman, eliminates Mars from its storyline and focuses on economical and political tension between two nation states - the United Federation of Britain (U.F.B.) and the Colony (Australia).

Synopsis: By late 21st century, Earth has been decimated by nuclear war, leaving only two nations - the United Federation of Britain (U.F.B.) and the Colony (Australia). Factory worker Douglas Quaid (Colin Farrell) lives in the Colony with his gorgeous wife Lori (Kate Beckinsale). Amidst going through the motion of his mundane life, Quaid decides to go to Rekall, a company that could grant him the memory of the ultimate espionage adventure he desires. Something goes terribly wrong, causing Quaid to rediscover his identity and join forces with rebel soldier Melina (Jessica Biel). Together, they track down Matthias (Bill Nighy), the head of a resistance movement labeled a terrorist organization by the ruthless Cohaagen (Bryan Cranston) from U.F.B. who seeks to invade the Colony. Quaid, now Hauser, must stop Cohaagen at all cost before the tyrant invades the Colony and controls the entire free world.

Total Recall (2012) keeps the basic premise from the 1990 movie whereby Quaid has recurring nightmares that ultimately lead to him to discover his true identity. Some characters stay put - Melina as Quaid's love interest, Lori as Quaid's 'wife', and Cohaagen as the ruthless tyrant.

What differs is the main plot whereby the story of Mars is 'scraped' and replaced with economic and political tension between two nation states on Earth. There's no more Kuato (mutant rebel leader in the 1990 movie) but there's a Matthias (human) as the rebel movement's leader.

Since this movie is a remake, I couldn't help but compare the actors.

Character: Douglas Quaid / Hauser
Actor: Arnold Schwarzenegger (1990); Colin Farrell (2012)

Character: Lori (Quaid's 'wife')
Actress: Sharon Stone (1990); Kate Beckinsale (2012)

Character: Melina (Quaid's love interest) 
Actress: Rachel Ticotin (1990); Jessica Biel (2012) 

In the 1990 movie, Sharon Stone's character Lori was ended pretty quickly and Richter (Michael Ironside), another Cohaagen's bad ass took over. In the 2012 movie, Richter's character is eliminated and Lori becomes Cohaagen's bad ass 'bitch'. I like this idea! Kate Beckinsale is awesome as Lori! If you have seen her as Serena in Underworld, you will love seeing her in action.

Jessica Biel, despite having less screen time, provides one of the best onscreen cat fights ever with Kate Beckinsale!

Total Recall is never about character development. It thrives on action-packed sci-fi adventures and tension between those in power and those who rebel. And of course, cat fights between two lead actresses will always steal the screen.


In fact, I enjoy watching this movie mainly because of Kate Beckinsale and Jessica Biel! :D

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