Total Recall

I have to say, it's not a promising situation when the only buzz the remake has going for it is whether or not the infamous three breasted lady will make an appearance in the new version, and how naked she will be. However, Total Recall has a bit more going for it than that.

Colin Farrell stars as Douglas Quaid - a factory worker in a post-apocalyptic late 21st century world where people can only survive in what we know as Europe and Australia. Of course, the rich folks live in Europe, while working class like Quaid are transported in each day from down under. The guy finds his life quite boring and unfulfilling (even though he is married to Kate Beckinsale!?!?!?!), so Douglas finds himself wandering into Rekall - a fantasy fulfillment company that implants memories in your head, so you can be taken away to another world.

As he is being put under, Rekall is invaded, and Douglas finds himself accused of being a spy for a terrorist organization. Now, he's on the run and trying to stop a horrible tragedy.

Is Douglas really a spy, or is this his fantasy?

Can he save the day?

Total Recall is a sold action film where director Len Wiseman and the writing team avoid the trap of trying to be more meaningful or thoughtful than necessary. Sure, it would be great to have some sort of deeper character development, a more complex story, or even some commentary on society, but Total Recall works as a pure action movie with some playfulness about what is real or not while not trying to go too far beyond its reach.

Much of this is because of Farrell. He is a solid, likable leading man, even if you could never believe a guy this good looking would ever lead a boring life (did I mention he is married to Kate Beckinsale in the movie? THAT is not boring). He brings something common and everyman to the character never failing to show how overwhelmed, frightened, or determined Douglas has become.

And, you have to love Beckinsale. I don't think I am giving anything away when I tell you her character turns out to be much more than the loving wife. Because of that, you will find yourself enamored with her twist into a villain, played with relish, and making us admire just how tough and bad she makes the lovely lady. It's a fun character because Beckinsale makes her so accomplished and ruthless.

Wiseman does a good job blowing stuff up, giving us some decent fight scenes and providing enough entertainment to satisfy even the biggest fan of the original, as long as you don't want too much from it.

Total Recall is rated PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi violence and action, some sexual content, brief nudity, and language.