Big Arnie Vs Feisty Colin... the verdict is in!!

By Sharon Bejjani

Well we're kicking off our Movie Remake Reviews with a look at...

---   Total Recall   ---

The films are loosely based on a 1966 short story by Phillip K Dick 'We can remember it for you wholesale' - not such a catchy a title.

There are some interesting ideas in Dick's story about using implanted devices and narcotics for mind control, along with the threat of alien invasion. However,central to the story is that while memories can be removed or manipulated, the emotion behind the original memory remains.  Well that's a relief - I think!

These themes of 'control' are central to both versions of Total Recall.

---   Mind and People Control   ---

This was a big worry in the 1960's.  Now you might be thinking 'That's just wackadoodle' (a technical term).  But is it?? Think about it, how controlled are you each day by social networking, emails, text messages, tweets, etc, etc. Do you really have time to 'think' about things?? 

The other parallel in all three versions of the story is that the main character has a repetitive, mind numbing job (been there), is sure he is meant for more and is willing to take a risk to get it.

But that's pretty much where the similarities end  
---   So let's retro to the 1990   ---

Ok, I'll admit it... I'm a bit of an Arnie fan.  His movies through the 80's and 90's were great, tongue in cheek, shoot 'em all and save the day flicks.  But I have to say, after watching and comparing both films, this version left me a bit flat.  It's still fun, fast paced and if you hadn't seen it before, sets up a great plot twist.

But a lot of the acting and stunts are overdone and it felt like a movie version of a 'graphic novel', which had been filmed entirely on sets made at the studio. Interestingly, the female characters were really just props for Arnie's character.  AND how come men are still working jack hammers when space travel is available?

Fast forward into this century

---   the 2012 version   ---

What a difference a couple of decades make.  Earth no longer is clean and neat and tidy (as Arnie liked it), but decimated and divided.  Chemical warfare has left the planet nearly uninhabitable, we're over populated and space apparently is the most valuable resource.  Only two territories remain, one for the haves and the rest live in The Colony (yes it is Australia) and zoom through the middle of the earth to get to work.  Now that'd be a trip I'd like to take.

Also, women are now hard core, ass-kicking individuals.  Whoa... what happened!  Arnie wouldn't stand for that!

Ok, technology being what it is,

 sci-fi action film remakes are hard to compare

Films used to need masses of props and stunt people, talents which are being lost in the 'digital age' and so the 2012 version is visually spectacular.  Surprisingly, it also has  less' bloody' violence and a much stronger focus on generating human equality.  But, there are only a handful of actors who can dominate a scene and Arnie is one of them - so sorry Colin...

---   Total Recall 1990 is my winner!!   ---