6th Day, The / Total Recall [1990]

Total Recall is the science-fiction blockbuster from 1990, loosely based on Philip K Dick's short story "We Can Remember It for You Wholesale". Oscar-winning special effects and violent action propel the twisting plot, in which Arnold manipulates his manipulators in a world of dazzling high technology. Director Paul Verhoeven (RoboCop, Starship Troopers) indulges his usual penchant for gratuitous bloodshed, but the movie has enough cleverness to rise above its excesses.

Terminator 2: Judgment Day is a legitimate sequel: there's more story to tell about a hulking, leather-clad android (Arnold Schwarzenegger) who arrives from the future to protect a rebellious teenager and future leader (Edward Furlong) from being killed by the tenacious T-1000 robot (Robert Patrick), whose liquid-metal construction makes him seemingly unstoppable. The fate of the future lies in the balance, with Linda Hamilton (who would later marry her director) reprising her role as the rugged woman whose son will change the course of history.--Jeff Shannon, Amazon.com

The UK version of "Total Recall", rated "18", was reclassified by the BBFC in 2001 and is uncut (look at the BBFC homepage). The video (PAL) runtime is 108 min approx (108m 18s) at 25 frames per second (fps), equivalent to a theatrical runtime of 113 min approx (112m 55s) at 24 fps. The following bloody scenes, cut in Germany for "FSK 16" classification, are included: lift removal and throw of killer Richter's arms; "screw you" head drilling scene at driver Benny's death; "kill them all" killing scenes in bar "Last Resort".


Sci fi action at its very best   December 6, 2001
7 out of 12 found this review helpful

Total recall is one of the best science fiction adventure films of all time and arguably the best thing Arnie ever did. It is the story of an earthling named Doug Quaid who realises he has had his brain wiped by a meglomaniac politician on Mars who wanted him out of the way. Thus Quaid journeys to the red planet intent on regaining his identity and destroying the evil plans of a man who wishes to make the inhabitants of mars pay for the right to breathe. What follows is a superb sci fi adventure , full of all manner of twists and turns , brilliant special effects , and suspense all the way.The colonization of Mars is brilliantly realised and the whole film is a triumph for robocop director Paul Verhoeven . Although the movie was released in 1990 , it could still thrill film fans today , as it is one of the most gripping and exciting films that I have ever seen . Total Recall grabs you from the first scene and will not let go for 108 minutes . Pure brilliance . I could not recommend it more to film fans or potential buyers . Do not hesitate , get this dvd.


"Total Recal" ... A good film?   December 17, 2000
dayzer66@hotmail.com (SE London)
6 out of 8 found this review helpful

"Total Recall" is not a typical Arnold Schwarzenegger shoot'em-up. There are a lot of explosions and gun fights, but the storyline eschews the direct route, preferring a more interesting path. This is one of those futuristic action films that expends a little effort developing some of its science fiction elements.

In an era when it has become scientifically feasible to implant false memories directly into a person's mind, wipe out a previous identity, and create a fictitious personae so real that the subject believes it to be genuine, how does one know what is and what isn't authentic? This is the question that Douglas Quaid (Arnold Schwarzenegger), and, to a lesser extent, the audience, must ponder. How much of his life is real? How many of his memories actually happened and which ones have been manufactured?

Doug has an obsession with Mars. Despite the best efforts of his wife Lori (Sharon Stone) to distract him, the desire to travel there is unquenchable, even considering the dangers posed by certain "terrorist" activities. Finally, in search of a cheap alternative to an interplanetary flight, he goes to Rekall, Inc., which provides memories as good as the actual thing, and asks for a fantasy in which he's a secret agent on Mars. During the implantation procedure, evidence of previous tampering is revealed, and the fantasy is aborted. Following the visit to Rekall, several attempts are made Doug's life... but are these attacks real or the delusions of someone trapped in a dream world?

Paul Verhoeven, the director of Robocop (and later Basic Instinct), brings his characteristic gory stylishness to Total Recall. The film is bloody yet chic, with crisp camerawork of gruesome sequences. Verhoeven does not display the artistry of a John Woo; he is merely someone who has mastered the techniques necessary to create a film that looks good.

Total Recall likes playing games with the audience. We're never sure if what we're seeing is reality or part of an implanted fantasy. This element has earned the movie the label of an "intelligent" action film, because it presents the viewer with an opportunity to puzzle things out rather than sit mindlessly and watch people get blown to pieces.


PKD + Verhoeven = mediocre... what a waste!   December 21, 2002
T. D. Welsh (Basingstoke, Hampshire UK)
5 out of 16 found this review helpful

Like Verhoeven's other movies, this one will divide viewers right down the middle. If you are addicted to blood and guts, ultra-violence, non-stop action - and if you are not bothered by blatant nonsense (or can shrug it off or savour it as "irony") - this one's for you. If, on the other hand, you are a Philip K Dick fan, you will be horrified at what has been done to "We can remember it for you wholesale". For contrast, "Bladerunner" was a good movie made from a good PKD story, and "Minority Report" was an outstanding version of another good PKD story. (Wait a moment here - I'm being redundant. All PKD stories are good, except those that are brilliant).

Mind you, Arnold Schwarzenegger's undeniable "action-man" charisma goes a long way towards making the result watchable. Arnold is in his element with pulp, the less credible the better. But even he can't help looking like a freak, with his eyes bulging up like inflatable beachballs in the low pressure of Mars' atmosphere (yeah, right). Fortunately modern technology can repressurize an entire planet in 30 seconds... but that's Verhoeven's attitude to reality in a nutshell.

All in all, this is quite fun to watch if you can unscrew your cerebral cortex and park it in the fridge for the duration. It's only when you think how superb a movie could have been made from PKD's material that you want to sit down and weep.


A story masterpiece in theory, but a mixed bag practically   February 20, 2002
4 out of 9 found this review helpful

You can read the storyline in other reviews, im stating my views.
The idea promises to be the best sci-fi story ever made, but the action and violence tones down everything it could have been. my favourite film of all time is logan's run, because it had a dramatic story and great twists, like total recall, but it doesnt have the moronic violence and bloodshed that leaves the film with no credibility.
Dont get me wrong, i still love this film, but it would have been better to tone down the violence and heighten the quality of dialogue.
A must see, but not a must buy.