Nerds That Geek Movie Review: ‘Total Recall’ (1990)

Written by John Edward Betancourt

The fact of the matter is, sometimes life gets supremely boring. After all, our lives of consist of a lot of routine. We get up about the same time every single day. We go about our morning regiment, one that often involves catching up with the world, before we head off to work to handle whatever particular projects, our employers have for us. All before we return home for a quiet evening filled with some type of relaxing activity to clear our minds, before we settle in for sleep and then do the whole thing over again. Granted, that’s likely a more extreme view than most might like, since our hobbies and interests and friends help to keep life interesting.
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But make no mistake about it, there are a lot of days that match that particular one and that’s why we love the many forms of entertainment out there. So that we can escape the mundane and enjoy something incredible. And as technology continues to grow and impress year in and year out, our ability to escape into bold new digital worlds only expands, leaving mankind with a future that will one day bring about a fascinating moral dilemma. For at some point, these brave new worlds may be more appealing than everyday life, forcing people to make quite a choice between boring moments and false adventures and it just so happens that one science fiction film dove into this possible conundrum in fascinating fashion in 1990’s Total Recall.

Now for those unfamiliar with this particular motion picture, in it we are introduced to a man named Douglas Quaid, and he lives a simple life. He works in construction, is happily married and that’s really all there is to Quaid, and his idyllic lifestyle seems to be bringing about a bit of a personal crisis. For the dreams he’s having at night leave his mind pondering upon Mars, specifically what it might be like to visit this mining world and that prompts him to swing by a company called Rekall. A place where the memories of fake vacations can be implanted into one’s mind, just to spice up his daily life if only for a moment. But visiting this place unlocks something primal within, and it isn’t long before Quaid finds himself hunted by forces unknown. For it seems his existence is filled with lies, and the only way to uncover the truth about his life and his past, is to venture to Mars.

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Oddly enough, this is a movie that really doesn’t seem like it should be cerebral in the slightest. For it features action star Arnold Schwarzenegger in the lead role and it’s directed by Paul Verhoven, whose films are renowned for their violent tendencies. But that is perhaps the trick of this motion picture, in that, deep down it is a smart and thoughtful science fiction film, buried in the trappings of a blockbuster and what’s impressive about this movie is that everything works here. For Schwarzenegger is spot on as Quaid and is able to provide the audience with an authentic performance of a man who wants to be more, before finding himself in an incredible situation, and the violent over the top machinations of our villain provide the audience with the genuine feel of a summer blockbuster, the kind that puts a smile on your face.
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But while this movie is indeed a crowd pleaser, one full of epic explosions, it really is quite layered since it does focus on escapism and some of its respective dangers from a metaphorical perspective. Because Quaid really does have a pretty chill life on Earth, the kind that would allow for him to pursue whatever endeavor he wants. But something more is clearly calling to him, which is relatable for when we feel stuck. And while none of us come to realize that we are a double agent living on Earth, the excitement that Quaid exhibits when his life becomes something more is precisely what strikes a chord in our soul and it is wonderful to see a relatable element such as this in a story this fantastical, and it is also wonderful that this tale offers up a subtle and cautionary element. For it does remind us to be careful what we wish for, since Quaid’s quest to experience more in life, ruins his idyllic existence and costs him plenty.

If anything, this is one of those rare action flicks that has something for everyone. If you want action and adventure, oh you’ll find it here. Or if you’re in the mood for something stupid violent after an annoying day at work, don’t worry, the gore is here and ready to go. And of course, if you want to ponder upon our roles in life and what it might mean to lead another life, that’s here to explore as well, making this a magnificent science fiction film when all is said and done. One that also features some top-notch special effects as well, and a beautiful score for that matter and it is one that needs to be celebrated as often as possible. Because it’s rare to see a film that is a perfect blend of so many elements and also because, it is just a blast to watch and a wonderful way to lose one’s self for an hour and a half.

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