Total Recall Blu-ray Review
Mind-Bending Edition
Score: 70
from 4 reviewers
Review Date:
Total Recall delivers nostalgic, intelligent sci-fi action with visceral effects, restored in a high-def transfer with superior audio, making it highly recommended.
Disc Release Date
DTS-HD MA
Video: 70
Total Recall's new Blu-ray edition, supervised by Paul Verhoeven, offers a significant upgrade with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in 1.85:1 from the original camera negative. Expect improved contrast, color saturation, and fine object detail, balanced by an authentic filmic appearance with natural grain. Though some areas fall short of modern high-def expectations, this release is a clear enhancement over prior versions.
Audio: 74
The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 mix of 'Total Recall' delivers a dynamic and highly engaging soundstage with immersive, crystal-clear dialogue, and precise directional effects. This lossless mix balances impactful low frequencies and Jerry Goldsmith’s iconic score, offering a significant audio upgrade over previous releases.
Extra: 61
Lionsgate’s Blu-ray of 'Total Recall' enhances previous releases with a robust selection of extras, including a solid yet somewhat superficial commentary by Schwarzenegger and Verhoeven, an in-depth 35-minute interview with Verhoeven discussing the filmmaking challenges, and detailed featurettes on special effects and restoration comparisons, providing a comprehensive look into the movie's production and technical accomplishments.
Movie: 76
Total Recall's 2084 adventure, expertly staged by Paul Verhoeven, melds relentless action, groundbreaking special effects, and a cerebral narrative, questioning reality vs. illusion while showcasing Schwarzenegger's nuanced performance. This Blu-ray edition is a testament to its enduring acclaim within sci-fi cinema.
Video: 70
The latest Blu-ray release of "Total Recall" presents a significant upgrade in video quality, with a brand-new 1080p transfer (1.85:1) supervised by director Paul Verhoeven and minted from the original camera negative. This edition exhibits a notable improvement in resolution and fine object detail, allowing viewers to discern textures and patterns that were previously blurred or indistinguishable. For instance, the tweed pattern on Bob's jacket during the Rekall implant scene is now clear regardless of the camera's distance, unlike the 2006 version, where such details were only visible in close-ups. The presentation has a filmic appearance enhanced by a delicate layer of fine grain, preserving its cinematic integrity without the excessive digital tweaking typical in other releases.
Enhancements in contrast and color saturation are clearly evident, with deeper black levels and more vivid, stable primary colors. Though the film's rough, gritty cinematography and practical effects naturally show their age, this transfer honors Verhoeven’s dystopian vision of a lifeless future. Despite some scenes appearing flat due to deliberate artistic choices, the overall upgrade delivers comfortably bright visuals, minimizing previous issues with digitized shadows and crush. Viewers will also appreciate the balance in contrast that avoids excessive blooming and maintains visibility.
While some segments still suffer from inherent flaws, such as murky black levels and scenes that haven’t aged well, the improved detailing in architectural surroundings and Mars' rocky landscapes add to the film’s rugged charm. Facial complexions appear more natural yet reveal intricate textures, contributing to the presentation's authenticity. Although it might not fully satisfy all high-def expectations, this Blu-ray release of "Total Recall" undoubtedly represents a faithful and considerable upgrade. Fans of the film will find the restoration compelling enough to warrant an upgrade from previous editions.
Audio: 74
The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 mix of "Total Recall" is an exemplary presentation that significantly enhances the film's immersive experience. Throughout its dynamic soundscape, gunfire, foley effects, and Jerry Goldsmith's iconic score are rendered with excellent directional fidelity, creating a broad and engaging soundstage. Notably, dialogue is consistently clear and well-prioritized within the front soundstage, ensuring it remains distinct amidst the energetic action sequences. The low-frequency effects deliver palpable impact, though they do not always produce the most tight bass response seen in contemporary digital soundtracks.
Compared to previous Blu-ray releases, this DTS-HD MA mix feels fuller and more energetic, enhancing both clarity and presence. Each sound element, whether it be snapping bones or explosive action, is delivered with remarkable accuracy and without distortion. The dynamic range is wide and effective, particularly in key sequences where the LFE provides a tactile core to the auditory experience. While the surround channels are primarily silent, subtle bleeds of music help to enhance the overall soundfield.
Overall, this mix maximizes the potential of the film's soundtrack. Dialogue remains consistent and front-focused, while directional effects and significant moments highlight the capabilities of a well-balanced home theater system. This updated audio presentation proves to be a compelling reason to upgrade to the latest Blu-ray edition, satisfying both casual viewers and audiophiles alike.
Extras: 61
The Blu-ray release of "Total Recall" comes packed with a robust collection of extras that provide comprehensive insights into the film's production and restoration. The audio commentary with Arnold Schwarzenegger and Paul Verhoeven, though carried over and occasionally awkward, remains informative and entertaining. The detailed interview with Verhoeven offers an in-depth look into the movie’s script challenges and shooting difficulties. Featurettes like "Imagining Total Recall" and "Models and Skeletons" delve deep into the adaptation process and special effects achievements, respectively. The restoration comparison highlights the significant improvements in picture quality. Despite the omission of some DVD extras, this Blu-ray edition is enriched with significant supplementary content.
Extras included in this disc:
- Audio Commentary with Arnold Schwarzenegger and Director Paul Verhoeven: Entertaining and informative discussion.
- Interview with Director Paul Verhoeven: Insightful retrospective on the film’s production.
- Imagining Total Recall: Behind-the-scenes documentary.
- Models and Skeletons: The Special Effects of Total Recall: Exploration of special effects.
- Making of Featurette: Vintage short featurette with cast and crew interviews.
- Restoration Comparison: Side-by-side visuals showing before and after restoration.
- Photo Gallery: Collection of production stills.
- Theatrical Trailer: Original preview for the film.
Movie: 76
"Total Recall" is a masterclass in blending high-octane action with heady science fiction concepts. Directed by Paul Verhoeven and based on Philip K. Dick's short story "We Can Remember It For You Wholesale", the movie follows Douglas Quaid (Arnold Schwarzenegger), an ordinary construction worker plagued by dreams of Mars. Schwarzenegger delivers one of his finest performances, convincingly portraying Quaid's confusion and determination as he navigates a series of increasingly violent and mind-bending scenarios. Supported by a stellar cast including Sharon Stone, Ronny Cox, and Michael Ironside, the film's character dynamics are compelling, with Stone nailing the role of the duplicitous wife and Cox excelling as the tyrannical governor.
The narrative excels in its ambiguity, constantly challenging the viewer to question what is real and what might be an implanted memory from Rekall, a company that sells artificial experiences. This central conceit is both engaging and thought-provoking, never giving a definitive answer and allowing for multiple interpretations. The screenplay, crafted by Ronald Shusett, Dan O'Bannon, and Gary Goldman, adeptly sidesteps early reveals, maintaining suspense and intrigue throughout Quaid's journey from Earth to Mars. The practical effects, helmed by Rob Bottin, are groundbreaking for their time, using miniatures and lifelike animatronics to create a believably gritty future world. This meticulous attention to detail sets "Total Recall" apart from many of its contemporaries.
Verhoeven’s direction keeps the pace brisk and thrilling, even as the film grapples with complex themes around identity and reality. The action sequences are intense and inventive, making full use of the setting’s dystopian aesthetics and advanced technology. Despite some third-act challenges that Verhoeven himself acknowledges, "Total Recall" remains a vibrant mix of smart storytelling and visceral action. It stands as a rare example of an action film deeply embedded with philosophical questions, making it a timeless entry in both Schwarzenegger's and Verhoeven’s filmographies.
Total: 70
Paul Verhoeven's "Total Recall" is a paramount example of a sci-fi action film that successfully merges visceral thrills with cerebral elements. Starring Arnold Schwarzenegger as the everyman Doug Quaid, the film manages to engage audiences both viscerally and intellectually, securing its place in cinema history. The movie's plot navigates through an intriguing mix of reality and fantasy, enhanced by impressive special effects that remain impactful even today. Despite some minor issues with the third act's coherence, "Total Recall" is undeniably an effective and riveting piece that offers more than just action.
The Blu-ray release of "Total Recall" represents a significant upgrade over prior versions. The audio-visual quality is superb; the high-definition transfer stays true to the original source material, and the audio presentation is highly engaging, offering an immersive experience. While not all previously released supplements have been included, Lionsgate has compensated by adding several new extras that are sure to delight fans. This Blu-ray edition clearly benefits from meticulous restoration efforts, culminating in a product that stands out for its enhanced clarity and depth in both sound and vision.
In conclusion, the Blu-ray release of "Total Recall" is a must-have for fans and newcomers alike. This edition enriches the classic film with superior video and audio quality, as well as valuable extra content. Its ability to combine thought-provoking narrative elements with exhilarating action ensures its enduring appeal. Highly recommended for anyone looking to revisit or discover this iconic sci-fi gem.
Blu-ray.com review by Jeffrey KauffmanRead review here
Video: 100
No extreme digital tweaking appears to be in evidence, so this transfer has a beautifully filmic appearance, with a nice layer of fine grain overlaying the entire film....
Audio: 90
The film zooms from set piece to set piece with an abundance of gunfire, snapping bones and other foley effects clearly directional and rendered with excellent fidelity....
Extras: 80
For the record, the Blu-ray supplements do not include the following bonus items which were on the Special Edition DVD (the one in the cool little round tin that looked like the surface of Mars): Rekall...
Movie: 80
Instead, the film toes a very deliberately ambiguous line where we initially meet Quaid, who is experiencing recurrent dreams of living on Mars, and then are along for the ride of what seems to be a waking...
Total: 90
It may stretch the bounds of credulity as it kind of stumbles through a still awkward third act, but overall this is still an incredibly effective and impressive piece that blends an intelligent screenplay...
High-Def DigestRead review here
Video: 60
All in all, the quality of this Blu-ray presentation will be up for debate, but the transfer is an upgrade nonetheless and very likely faithful to its source....
Audio: 80
Imaging offers a great deal of presence and fidelity, delivering crystal-clear dialogue in the center of the screen with pleasingly fluid movement of background activity that's convincing....
Extras: 20
The piece is actually pretty good with the director talking in-depth about the challenges of shooting in Mexico, the cast, various artistic decisions and overall, about his entire experience filming this...
Movie: 80
From being one of the last to see large-scale use of miniatures to lifelike animatronics like Schwarzenegger's memorable woman disguise when arriving on Mars, 'Total Recall' is ultimately one of the last...
Total: 80
With Arnold Schwarzenegger as the working-class everyman Doug Quaid, the movie actually has its place in cinema history and does offer its audience something to think about while enjoying the ride through...
AVSForumRead review here
Video: 86
Here I had no trouble making out the thread patterns in clothing/furniture, the texture on surfaces or the physical features on members of the cast....
Audio: 82
The end result is a faithful audio presentation that coincides with the film’s soundtrack and sounds fine....
Extras: 70
Audio commentary with Arnold Schwarznegger and Paul Verhoeven (HD) Exclusive: Interview with director Paul Verhoeven – 34 minutes (HD) Exclusive: Restoration comparison – A look at the high definition...
Movie: 70
Arnold Schwarzenegger explodes out of the year 2084 A.D. with gut churning, white knuckle, non-stop action, as he smashes his way through a horrifyingly real fantasy world, complete with a gorgeous but...
Total: 77
Screen Onkyo PR-SC5508 THX Ultra 2 Audio/Video Processor Sherbourn Technologies - 7/200 Seven Channel Amplifier Oppo BDP-93 Universal Disc/3D capable Blu-ray Player (HDMI Audio/Video)...
Why So Blu?Read review here
Video: 90
I own the DVD and the first Blu-ray release of Total Recall and I can tell you that the video quality for both of those releases completely sucked....
Audio: 100
This lossless mix is a showcase of bone-crunching action, with an active mix that utilizes every channel to their full capacity....
Extras: 80
Interview with Director Paul Verhoeven – This is another new extra that’s pretty cool as it’s interesting to hear from the director about what his intention for the film was and the struggles he encountered...
Movie: 80
Now on the run from Richter, Lori, and the rest of Cohaagen’s men, Quaid doesn’t know what to do until he is contacted by a strange man who tells him he is being tracked and how to remove the tracker....
Total: 90
The plot is ambiguous enough to offer an extra level of entertainment to the usual fighting and killings scenes which are pretty over the top in the movie....
Director: Paul Verhoeven
Actors: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sharon Stone, Michael Ironside
PlotIn the late 21st century, a construction worker named Douglas Quaid is haunted by recurring dreams of Mars and a mysterious woman. Despite leading a seemingly ordinary life on Earth with his loving wife, Lori, Quaid's fascination with the Red Planet consumes him. In search of answers and adventure, he visits Rekall, a company that implants artificial memories, to experience the thrill of Mars as a secret agent. However, the procedure goes awry, and Quaid's mind is overwhelmed by supposedly fake memories of being a real spy. As the lines between reality and fantasy blur, Quaid's life is turned upside down when he finds out that people around him, including his wife, may not be who they seem. He is suddenly thrust into a web of espionage and deceit involving Mars' colonial governance.
Forced to flee for his life, Quaid embarks on a perilous journey to unlock the truth about his identity, discovering that his dreams may hold more significance than he ever imagined. His quest leads him to the actual Martian colony, plagued by socio-political unrest and a rebellion against the ruthless corporate governance controlling the air supply. As Quaid navigates the dangerous Martian landscape, he must figure out which of his memories are real and whom he can trust. Along the way, he encounters an array of characters that challenge his understanding of his past, his purpose, and his very existence.
Writers: Philip K. Dick, Ronald Shusett, Dan O'Bannon
Release Date: 01 Jun 1990
Runtime: 113 min
Rating: R
Country: United States, Mexico
Language: English