Volitions Advocate on 8/8/2012 at 12:19
I saw Total Recall the other night. I had high expectations and I feel very let down. I thought I'd see what other people thought of the movie if they've seen it.
The setting was a cool twist on the story, but it could have been anywhere and the plot elements would not be affected that much. The cinematography was very cool and the music was fantastic, (except for the dubstep, which thankfully is only in one little section).
e
My issue with the movie is that it is practically a scene for scene recreation of the original movie. Even down to the dialogue. Things were said just because it was said in the original film, and often its truncated and lacking any charm of the original. Most of the time it feels like they're just saying "eh? eh? remember when THIS happened?"
I was hoping that they might take a queue from the book and mix it in with the plot from the original movie. Or at least do SOMETHING to give us a new twist we weren't expecting.
Instead we got a very nice looking and sounding film (I have to admit it was acted very well, they just didn't have anything interesting to act), with little charm and zero room for exposition. Even 3 boobs showed up, except without any reason. Didn't fit the story, didn't have an explanation (like the air quality on mars mutating everyone) she was just like, "hey look at me" and walked off screeen 2 seconds later never to return. No purpose whatsoever other than to cater to the adolescence of the fans.
demagogue on 8/8/2012 at 13:13
Haven't seen it yet. Reminds me of that remake of Dune somebody did. There were a few things that had a different flavor, but a lot of it was just the same thing with less charm or charisma, as you say.
BTW the P.K. Dick "book" was a short story, and a short one at that, that just gave a few tidbits anyway... Basically just the first few scenes of the first movie, and the rest of it was just stuff they made up. So not sure it could contribute much.
Unfortunately, you make it sound like it was remade just to cash in on the name, sounds like a conservative investment, rather than any real need to actually remake it.
Vivian on 8/8/2012 at 13:58
Much as I love the idea of Bryan Cranston doing a Michael Ironside impression, I've got no intention of seeing this, it sounds shit. No one will be making a song about it in 20 years, that's for damn sure:
[video=youtube;MKZLRgziwHE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MKZLRgziwHE[/video]
faetal on 8/8/2012 at 15:53
I may just re-watch the original, since it's fine and I haven't seen it in ages and every review I am reading of this re-make is at best lukewarm.
Volitions Advocate on 8/8/2012 at 21:38
Bryan Cranston played Cohaagan. Richter was fused with Lori and both played out as the same character. So you wouldn't have even gotten your wish. And Benny wasn't even in it. At least John Cho was convincing and even downright cool for the few minutes he was in the movie, but so many characters were just cut out, and I think Richter was the biggest loss, one that Kate Beckinsale could not fix.
I know the original was a short story, but it still had a good bit that wasn't in the movie that they could have played around with and merged with the concept. Quail wanted to forget and the gov't made him the deal that if recall could pull it off, they wouldn't kill him. There was lots of fodder in that story they could have worked with. I'm just disappointed that the only effort they put into it was to change the setting. You don't even meet any members of the resistance, except for Mileena and the head guy, whatever his name was.
Harry Gregson-Williams did an amazing job though. I think i'll buy the sound track if they release it on record.
Scots Taffer on 8/8/2012 at 23:40
Quote Posted by Volitions Advocate
(except for the dubstep, which thankfully is only in one little section)
Great. Now I want to see a Skrillex backed video of Kuato spazzing out.
I've got to say, VA, on the strength of the trailers I do not know how you could have anything other than reaosnably low expectations for this movie.
SubJeff on 9/8/2012 at 09:00
Agreed. Looks flashy but bad.
and ive reasonably lowexpectations of your spelling
faetal on 9/8/2012 at 09:43
I watched the Verhoeven one last night, because fuck this new one.
The Governator's non-verbal lines are great - just a sea of vowels expelled under duress.
Some brilliant one-liners too.
Jason Moyer on 9/8/2012 at 11:48
Are there any old licenses that haven't been turned into crappy films yet? Maybe we can get a Bosom Buddies movie next? Maybe a Ferrris Bueller's Day Off remake?
