Total Recall 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Review

The 4K UHD Blu-ray presentation of "Total Recall" showcases a remarkable upgrade over its predecessors, delivering an exceptional video quality that stands as the finest the film has ever been viewed in any format. Studiocanal, in collaboration with Lionsgate Films, offers this cult classic its UK and international 4K debut, employing a native 4K remaster equipped with Dolby Vision HDR, across a 3840 x 2160p resolution. The film is presented in its original aspect ratio of widescreen 1.85:1, benefitting from a 10-bit video depth, Wide Colour Gamut (WCG), and HDR10+, encoded using the HEVC (H.265) codec. This presentation takes full advantage of Dolby Vision, offering a breathtaking display of the film’s rich and diverse color palette, most notably its heavily red-dominated scenes, with an unprecedented depth and richness previously unfathomable, albeit with minor compression issues in select sequences potentially sparking controversy.

Overseen by director Paul Verhoeven, the restoration from a 4K scan of the original 35mm negatives pays utmost respect to preserving the film's intricate effects and visual continuity during its 30th-anniversary restoration - a testament to its enduring legacy and innovation in visual effects since its 1990 release. Despite the film’s age and the intrinsic limitations of its original material, this UHD edition achieves a striking balance of brightness and saturation levels not seen in prior releases. Detail clarity, particularly in textures and environmental minutiae, surges beyond previous standards, coalescing finely resolved grain structure with vividly enhanced, more natural colors. This balance of sharpness and colorfulness breathes new life into the Martian landscapes and the gritty realism of Verhoeven’s dystopic vision.

Nonetheless, while the Dolby Vision HDR significantly elevates the viewing experience with its improved color fidelity and richer blacks adding greater dimensionality to the imagery, it is not without its imperfections. Certain shots, notably those with special effects and those transitioning between scenes, might exhibit softer moments or minor artifacting due to the source's age and compression techniques. These instances are rare and largely forgivable considering the overall leaps in quality. The meticulous effort to retain the film's grain structure and organic look, while navigating the challenges of upscaling to modern viewing standards, culminates in an overwhelmingly positive transformation. This release sets an exemplar for how beloved classics can be revitalized, providing both a nostalgic journey and a fresh viewing experience for long-time fans and newcomers to Verhoeven's sci-fi masterpiece.

The 4K UHD Blu-Ray release of "Total Recall" brings with it a highly anticipated Dolby Atmos audio upgrade, aspiring to envelop listeners in a more immersive audio experience, though it shies away from being labeled reference-grade. This Atmos mix significantly broadens the soundstage, lending a deeper layer of immersion by incorporating overhead sound objects that enhance the film's dynamic range, from the bustling streets of Mars to the climactic terraforming sequence. Dialogue maintains clarity and takes precedence, delivered predominantly from the front channels but with nuanced ethereal voices and effects that occasionally exploit the verticality offered by Atmos, adding a textured depth to the soundscape. Jerry Goldsmith's memorable score gains a renewed presence, benefiting from the expanded audio field, although some may find its midrange punch lacking, suggesting a mixing choice rather than a flaw.

Listeners will note a pronounced improvement in tonal quality, with sound effects smoothly navigating the surround channels and even dipping into the overheads as needed, against a backdrop of moderate to robust bass support. Despite attempts at leveraging the Atmos format for enhanced vertical sound cues—evident in key action sequences and environmental sounds—there's an acknowledgment that the soundtrack's deployment of rear and ceiling channels is tactful, favoring precision over extravagance. The LFE channel delivers impressive bursts, especially during action-packed moments, though some opportunities for deeper low-end impact might seem underutilized.

Preserving the original sonic character while introducing a fuller and more energetic Atmos track, "Total Recall" on 4K UHD Blu-Ray manages to strike a balance between enhancing auditory immersion without feeling exaggerated. The mix exhibits exceptional clarity and fidelity across dialogues and sound effects, with Jerry Goldsmith's score receiving a notable uplift in presence. However, the Atmos enhancement, while appreciable for adding dimensionality to the soundscape, occasionally feels restrained in its engagement of the complete array of available channels, hinting at a conservative approach to expanding its auditory boundaries. This careful augmentation ensures that the audio upgrade significantly enhances the viewing experience without departing too far from the film’s original auditory essence.

Studiocanal's 4K UHD release of "Total Recall" offers an impressive package that rivals their previous releases in terms of richness and depth, catering to both die-hard fans and newcomers alike. The star-studded Audio Commentary by director Paul Verhoeven and superstar Arnold Schwarzenegger remains a standout, offering invaluable insights into the making of this iconic film. New featurettes, particularly "Total Excess: How Carolco Changed Hollywood," "Open Your Mind: Scoring Total Recall," and "Dreamers Within the Dream: Developing Total Recall," provide comprehensive looks into the film's production, its groundbreaking score, and explorations into what could have been with concept art discussions. Alongside these are various other documentaries and featurettes across the discs, including a special look at the visual effects and the original making-of documentary, ensuring that this package is not just exhaustive but also essential for a deeper appreciation of the film's legacy.

Extras included in this disc:

AUDIO COMMENTARY WITH ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER AND PAUL VERHOEVEN: A detailed commentary providing insights into the movie's production.

TOTAL EXCESS: HOW CAROLCO CHANGED HOLLYWOOD: Documentary exploring the history and impact of Carolco Pictures.

OPEN YOUR MIND: SCORING TOTAL RECALL: An in-depth featurette on Jerry Goldsmith's influential score.

DREAMERS WITHIN THE DREAM: DEVELOPING TOTAL RECALL: Looks at the early development stages of the movie including concept art.

IMAGINING TOTAL RECALL: Documentary featuring interviews with cast and crew from the original release.

TOTAL RECALL: THE SPECIAL EFFECTS: Examination of the state-of-the-art visual effects used in the movie.

MAKING OF TOTAL RECALL: An archival featurette providing a glimpse into the making of this classic film.

TRAILER: The original theatrical trailer.

Total Recall," the quintessential sci-fi action epic starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, receives a stunning presentation in its 4K UHD Blu-ray edition. Directed by Paul Verhoeven and based on Philip K. Dick’s short story "We Can Remember It for You Wholesale," the film is a labyrinthine dive into memory, identity, and reality, set against the rugged backdrop of a Mars colony plagued by corporate greed and social stratification. Despite undergoing numerous script revisions and originally being pegged for direction by David Cronenberg, the film with its final directorial helmsmanship by Verhoeven emerged as an Arnold Schwarzenegger vehicle that skillfully combines cerebral science fiction elements with high-octane action, a characteristic hallmark of Verhoeven's oeuvre. With groundbreaking practical effects courtesy of Rob Bottin and a narrative that constantly blurs the lines between illusion and reality, "Total Recall" stands as a monument to the era’s bold, R-rated action adventures fraught with violence yet imbued with philosophical depth.

This 4K restoration honors the film's legacy with remarkable clarity and detail, underscoring the painstaking production design and the innovative visual effects that were ahead of their time. The vivid palette of Mars' landscape and the intricate makeup and special effects work breathe new life in ultra-high definition, ensuring that both newcomers and longtime fans alike can appreciate the movie’s technical achievements. Moreover, Jerry Goldsmith's pulsating score is given ample room to shine, adding aural depth to the visual spectacle on display.

The narrative intricacies of "Total Recall" are complemented by Schwarzenegger’s performance as Doug Quaid, a construction worker entangled in an existential crisis that leads him from Earth to Mars in search of his true identity. The film interrogates notions of masculinity, power, and resistance against corporate tyranny while delivering a relentless series of action set pieces that keep viewers on the edge of their seats. Viewers are invited to ponder whether Quaid's journey is a product of Rekall's memory implantation or his actual reality, a question that remains deliciously ambiguous throughout. This 4K edition not only enhances the visual and auditory experience but also reaffirms "Total Recall" as a multifaceted gem within the sci-fi genre and Schwarzenegger's filmography.

The release of "Total Recall" on 4K UHD Blu-ray by Lionsgate Home Entertainment marks a significant upgrade for fans of this quintessential sci-fi action classic. In celebrating the film's 30th Anniversary, this release not only enhances the visual and auditory experience with an excellent native 4K video featuring Dolby Vision HDR but also improves upon its predecessors with a highly engaging Dolby Atmos soundtrack. The attention to detail in preserving the film's original allure while offering a noteworthy improvement in quality showcases the dedication to delivering a superior product. Furthermore, the addition of both new and legacy supplements, including a standout Carolco piece and the new Total Excess documentary, enriches the overall package, making it a comprehensive and irresistible offering for fans.

The inclusion of a lavish boxset further elevates the presentation, with Lionsgate ensuring convenience for an international audience by allowing the selection between UK or US versions at the outset, differing only in the logo display upon load-up. This attention to detail and accessibility highlights the universal appeal of "Total Recall" and its significance in the sci-fi genre. While minor compression issues are noted in both the 1080 and 4K UHD versions, they are far outweighed by the overall quality and enrichment this release brings to both new audiences and long-time fans. The film’s enduring legacy as a thinking man's action movie, combined with its spectacular space-faring fantasy and Schwarzenegger’s towering performance, is preserved and enhanced in this edition.

In conclusion, the 4K UHD Blu-ray release of "Total Recall" is a testament to the film's lasting impact on the sci-fi action genre. With its superior video and audio enhancements, alongside a rich collection of supplemental material, it stands as an essential acquisition for enthusiasts. Despite minor technical drawbacks, this release represents a significant step forward in home entertainment quality, offering the best version of the film to date. Highly recommended for both collectors and first-time viewers alike, this release confirms "Total Recall" as a timeless classic that continues to offer a thrilling and thought-provoking experience.