Total Recall Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Arnold goes to Mars to get a tan, accidentally triggers an ancient alien terraforming device, and somehow makes out with a girl while his eyeballs are about to explode, or maybe it’s all just a really bad sales pitch.

🍿 Total Recall: Detailed Plot Synopsis

A Dream of Mars

In 2084, Douglas Quaid, a construction worker, is plagued by recurring dreams of Mars. Dissatisfied with his mundane life, he considers a virtual vacation from Rekall, a company specializing in implanted memories. His wife, Lori, discourages him, but Quaid is drawn to the allure of adventure on the Red Planet.

Rekall’s Unexpected Outcome

At Rekall, Quaid chooses a ‘secret agent’ package, but during the implantation process, he reacts violently, claiming to remember his true identity. The technicians halt the procedure, wipe his memory of the visit, and send him home. However, Quaid’s life is irrevocably altered, as he soon discovers his reality is not what it seems.

Hunted and Betrayed

Quaid finds himself hunted by his former coworkers and even his wife, Lori, who reveals herself as an agent assigned to monitor him. He uncovers a pre-recorded message from himself as ‘Hauser,’ a former enforcer for Mars administrator Cohaagen. Hauser instructs Quaid to travel to Mars to uncover the truth behind his memory wipe and Cohaagen’s secrets.

Journey to Mars

Quaid, now embracing his ‘Hauser’ persona, journeys to Mars and seeks out Venusville, a seedy district filled with mutated individuals due to radiation exposure. There, he encounters Melina, Hauser’s former lover, who initially distrusts him. Together, they navigate the treacherous Martian landscape and uncover Cohaagen’s scheme to control the planet’s oxygen supply.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Quaid (Arnold Schwarzenegger): A construction worker who discovers his implanted memories hide his past as a secret agent on Mars.
• Lori (Sharon Stone): Quaid’s seemingly loving wife who is revealed to be a secret agent assigned to monitor him.
• Cohaagen (Ronny Cox): The ruthless administrator of Mars who controls the planet’s resources and seeks to suppress the rebel movement.
• Richter (Michael Ironside): Cohaagen’s enforcer and a relentless, brutal pursuer of Quaid.
• Melina (Rachel Ticotin): A rebel fighter on Mars and Quaid’s former lover, who becomes his ally.
• Kuato (Marshall Bell): A mutant leader of the Martian resistance who can read minds and seeks to free Mars.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Douglas Quaid: “Consider that a divorce!” – Said after Quaid kills his supposed wife, Lori, when she tries to kill him.
• Douglas Quaid: “Get your ass to Mars.” – Spoken by Quaid/Hauser in a pre-recorded message, urging himself to uncover the truth.
• Cohaagen: “You think you’re being paranoid? You should be!” – Cohaagen taunts Quaid, blurring the lines between reality and implanted memories.
• Kuato: “Start the reactor. Free Mars.” – Kuato, the mutant leader, reveals the truth about the alien reactor and its importance to the Martian rebels.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $65,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $119,412,921
• Worldwide Gross: $261,317,921

💥 Total Recall Reviews

Personal Review

I first saw Total Recall as a teenager and it blew my mind. The idea of implanted memories and questioning reality was unlike anything I had seen before. Arnold’s performance was perfect for the role, and the action sequences were intense and memorable. I was on the edge of my seat throughout the film, trying to figure out what was real and what was fake. I especially enjoyed the ending which left me thinking and debating with my friends for days.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Arnold Schwarzenegger action movies”
  • “Viewers interested in science fiction thrillers”
  • “Those who enjoy films with mind-bending plots and ambiguous endings”
  • “Fans of director Paul Verhoeven (RoboCop, Basic Instinct)”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Intense violence and gore”
  • “Strong language”
  • “Brief nudity”
  • “Disturbing images (mutated characters)”

Professional Reviews

• Roger Ebert: “Verhoeven’s direction is energetic and relentless, and Schwarzenegger does a surprisingly good job of portraying a man struggling with his identity. The special effects are groundbreaking, and the film’s ambiguous ending leaves the audience pondering the nature of reality long after the credits roll. While undeniably violent, Total Recall is a thought-provoking and entertaining sci-fi thriller.
• Variety: “Paul Verhoeven has created an energetic sci-fi that is extremely violent. Schwarzenegger does well in his role, and the twists are good. Some of the special effects are cutting edge for their time. Definitely worth seeing for genre fans.
• The Washington Post: “Total Recall is a stylish and suspenseful film. But it is also one of the most violent films ever made. It is not for the faint of heart. The film is filled with bloody and graphic scenes of shootings, stabbings, and explosions. This may be why it has had such a hard time.

Audience Reactions

The practical effects and makeup are still impressive and hold up even today.: Viewers consistently praise the film’s practical effects, action sequences, and thought-provoking plot.

The movie balances action and philosophical questions effectively making viewers think.: Fans appreciate the movie’s smart mix of action and deeper themes, making it more than just another action film.

Overall Consensus: Total Recall is considered a classic sci-fi action film. It’s praised for its groundbreaking special effects, thought-provoking plot, and Arnold Schwarzenegger’s performance. However, some viewers may find the violence excessive.

Awards

1. Academy Award (Special Achievement Award for Visual Effects)- 1991

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Director Paul Verhoeven cast Sharon Stone in ‘Basic Instinct’ (1992) after seeing her performance in ‘Total Recall,’ impressed by her ability to switch between a charming sweetheart and a diabolical person.”
• “David Cronenberg was originally slated to direct and wrote several drafts of the script, but his vision was deemed too close to the Philip K. Dick short story, leading to his departure.”
• “The subway scenes were filmed in the Mexico City subway system, adding a layer of authenticity to the futuristic setting.”
• “Rob Bottin, the special effects supervisor, won an Academy Award for his makeup effects in the film, which included practical effects and miniatures.”

🖥️ How to Watch Total Recall?

Total Recall (1990) is available for streaming on various platforms. You can find it for rent or purchase on services like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Availability may vary based on your region, so check local listings for the most accurate information. DVD and Blu-ray copies are also available for purchase from major retailers.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Total Recall, you might like these similar films:

• Blade Runner (1982): Explores themes of identity, memory, and what it means to be human in a dystopian future, sharing similar philosophical underpinnings with Total Recall.
• The Matrix (1999): Deals with questioning reality and discovering a deeper conspiracy beneath the surface of everyday life, a concept central to Total Recall.
• Minority Report (2002): Another Philip K. Dick adaptation that explores themes of free will, predestination, and the potential for abuse of technology in a futuristic setting.
• RoboCop (1987): Directed by Paul Verhoeven, it shares similar themes of corporate control, social decay, and extreme violence as social commentary.

🛒 Total Recall Related Products

• Total Recall (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) [Limited Edition]: A limited edition release of Jerry Goldsmith’s iconic score for Total Recall. High-quality audio remastering and exclusive liner notes makes this a must-have for collectors.
• Total Recall Blu-ray: Experience the sci-fi classic in stunning high definition on Blu-ray. Includes special features such as behind-the-scenes documentaries and interviews.
• Total Recall Movie Poster: A high-quality reproduction of the original Total Recall movie poster. Perfect for decorating any fan’s home theater or office.
• Total Recall (Philip K. Dick): We Can Remember It for You Wholesale: Dive deeper into the world of Total Recall with the original Philip K. Dick short story that inspired the film.

🎧 Soundtrack

Total Recall features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “The Dream” – performed by Jerry Goldsmith
• “First Meeting” – performed by Jerry Goldsmith
• “The Treatment” – performed by Jerry Goldsmith
• “Where Am I?” – performed by Jerry Goldsmith
• “Mutant Dancing” – performed by Bruno Louchouarn

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

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TOTAL RECALL (1990) Explained

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Uncover the intriguing reason why Arnold Schwarzenegger was so determined to make Total Recall (1990) in this bite-sized but captivating video. With over 401K views, you won’t believe the story behind the movie!

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