August 2, 2012 | 4:58 pm

Review: “Total Recall” 2012

Posted by Joan Alperin-Schwartz

Follow JewishJournal.com on

This is an action thriller about reality and memory. The film, directed by Len Wiseman (Underworld) is inspired by Philip K. Dick’s short story ‘We Can Remember It For You Wholesale’.

The time is the future…And it’s a very bleak one indeed. Most of the earth, thanks to war, is now uninhabitable. There’s only the United Federation of Britain, where the ‘haves’ live and the Colony where the ‘have-nots’ reside.

It’s here we meet factory worker, Douglas Quaid (Colin Farrell) who even though he has a very hot wife (Kate Beckinsale) whom he loves, the dude is very unhappy. He feels something is missing from his life and wow, is he ever right.

So one evening, unable to sleep, he takes a stroll around town and finds himself at RECALL, a company that can make any fantasy seem like it’s reality.

Apparently, Doug always wanted to be a super spy. Just as he’s about to be injected with a magic serum, that would make his dream come true, cops burst in with their guns blazing and to Doug’s surprise…he takes them all out.

Imagine that…From there, it’s all thrills and spills as Doug is hunted by a synthethic police force, controlled by the evil, Chancellor Cohaagen (Bryan Cranston)

Lucky for our hero, he has the help of rebel fighter (Jessica Biel) who not only looks great in jeans, can kick some serious butt, but who also works for the underground resistance led by Matthias (Bill Nighy).

The line between fantasy and reality gets blurred and the fate of the world hangs in the balance, as Quaid, tries to discover his true identity, his true love and his true fate.
Speaking of having a lot on your plate…

‘Total Recall’ is very different from the 1990 film starring the ‘Arnold’ and personally, I like this version much better.

The visuals are stunning and the action, even though at times, repetitive, is fun.

So if you’re in the market for an entertaining film, then go see ‘Total Recall’ which opens in theatres Friday, August 3, 2012.

I gave it 3 bagels out of 5…John, gave it a much lower rating. Check out our video to see us disagreeing, and let us know what you think about this film.

Please SUBSCRIBE to our channel and LIKE us on our Two Jews On Film Facebook Page.
Thanks everyone