Total Disappointment

Like a rollercoaster ride that goes up once, slides down a little and then simply goes straight like a train, Total Recall is well begun but only half done. It was feared to be like its Arnold Schwarzenegger starring namesake made in the 1990s. But the film is neither a remake nor an update. Although both films are based on Philip K Dick’s short story We Can Remember It For You Wholesale, director Len Wiseman has added a few new elements which give it a dash of popular culture. There are a lot of political connotations in the plot that today’s audience could easily relate to. And between the well-crafted action sequences, that Wiseman has made his mark in through the Underworld series, you get a déjà vu of recent mega hits like Inception, Blade Runner and even a vague resemblance to the Bourne trilogy.

The world, for the most part of it, has been rendered uninhabitable due to prolonged chemical warfare in the 21st century. People now reside in two major countries that form the two poles of society - The United Federation of Britain and The Colony (Euroamerica and New Shanghai in the short story). The people of the colony are oppressed and are planning a resistance movement. On the other hand, the Chancellor of UFB is trying to suppress this movement by preparing an all-out assault to destroy the colony. The protagonist, Douglas Quaid/ Hauser, is a secret agent whose memory has been erased. He is faced with a situation where he has to find his true identity, choose the right side and fight for the people and save the world. But just like every mediocre action-thriller-sci fi movie which has futuristic graphics and sets, cars that fly and cell phones embedded in peoples’ hands; the failure comes in the climax where the world is saved by winning a fist-fight with the bad guy.

With over six writers credited with writing the screenplay and the screen story, one may say it could have been a case of too many cooks spoiling the broth. But the broth remains undercooked. The action sequences are the only positive in terms of directorial abilities and the graphics are decent. But the scenes lack the flow that makes you feel for the characters. Colin Farrell is the pick of the lot in terms of acting. The supporting cast is fairly ordinary. Jessica Biel and acting are two different things and Kate Beckinsale is fine in flashes. The background score could be sold separately as ‘Default Music for Action Film’ as it adds nothing to what happens on screen.

Competing with a two-week old The Dark Knight Rises and children’s favourite Ice Age 4, the film has an uphill task at the box office. It would take not less than three hours to forget you watched this movie and a week from now, it would be impossible to recall.

Rating: 1.5 out of 5

Published in DNA After Hrs (Pune) on August 4, 2012