I hated the first total recall. I realized with that movie how terrible an actor Arnold Schwarzenegger really was. This one, while looking sort of generic has potential for greatness.
It's a tough spot but one the producers put themselves in. Claiming that it's an adaptation of the novel and not a remake of the movie, while at the same time using the title of that movie, is just a cheap cop-out. Maybe it won't suck but comparisons are inevitable, and while I hate to burst anyone's bubble, Total Recall is widely regarded as a pinnacle of the classic Hollywood action blockbuster industry. Maybe you don't like the genre, maybe you think it's silly/cheesy/campy/whatever, but I don't you ("you" meaning anyone, btw) can reasonably dismiss it, and furthermore, I do think that in 20 or 30 or 50 years, when we're talking about films that left a mark, it will be the 1990 version, and not this one, we'll be talking about.SpiderJerusalem said:What can they do? Rename it to any other title and keep the "based on the Phillip K. Dick story" in the credits, only to have smarmy internet writers point out that "hey, this is just a ripoff of the Arnold movie!"
Total Recall, Robocop, and Starship Troopers reboots (not remakes) were all announced at about the same time. The industry is basically trying for another Star Trek with dead franchises (not that Star Trek will ever die for better or worse). As I said I'm saving up my rage.blackrave said:Wait as second, there will be a new Robocop?newwiseman said:I'm saving up all my reboot criticism for the new Robocop, though I'm sure Total Recall will try really hard to ruin my day.
Why? That movie is still up to date (at least 1st one).
I would give it a try, but without high expectations.
I hadn't heard of that made-for-TV movie. (sounds like that may be a good thing, based on that wiki info)Blind Sight said:I was actually referencing this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Overdrawn_at_the_Memory_BankVigormortis said:Don't you mean "We Can Remember It For You Wholesale"?Blind Sight said:Seems like they're taking more information from Philip K. Dicks' work then the 80s version did...it's probably only called Total Recall because 'Overdrawn at the Memory Bank' is less dramatic.
Anyway, I loved the original Phillip K. Dick story. I've always felt that "Ah-nold" film was utter shit. I've never been a fan of Paul Verhoeven's adaptations. In my eyes, he's responsible for taking some of the better sci-fi stories ever written and turning them into awful, B-grade schlock; often with half-assed socio-politic "statements" crowbarred in. He ruined "We Can Remember It For You Wholesale (Total Recall)" and he ruined "Starship Troopers".
Therefore any "remake" of Total Recall, even if it does turn out to be just another "generic summer sci-fi action flick", will be better in my eyes than that abortion of a film Verhoeven made.
Here's hoping this one's closer to the book. Which, at first blush, it seems to be the case, even if they're seemingly removing the whole "Mars" aspect of it. Likewise, I've high hopes for the "Starship Troopers" remake. By all accounts, it seems they're aiming to adhere to the novel's version of the story rather than Vehoevens.
A silly Canadian movie influenced by Dicks' work that was on Mystery Science Theatre (even though it's based on a John Varley story). It was a bad joke about how Hollywood is remaking everything.
Here's an idea: DON'T REMAKE IT. Do something new. Want a thought-provoking story to build a new sci-fi feature around? Dig into PKD's collection of yet-unfilmed stories. The guy wrote a lot [http://www.philipkdick.com/works_stories.html]Andy Chalk said:It's a tough spot but one the producers put themselves in. Claiming that it's an adaptation of the novel and not a remake of the movie, while at the same time using the title of that movie, is just a cheap cop-out. Maybe it won't suck but comparisons are inevitable, and while I hate to burst anyone's bubble, Total Recall is widely regarded as a pinnacle of the classic Hollywood action blockbuster industry. Maybe you don't like the genre, maybe you think it's silly/cheesy/campy/whatever, but I don't you ("you" meaning anyone, btw) can reasonably dismiss it, and furthermore, I do think that in 20 or 30 or 50 years, when we're talking about films that left a mark, it will be the 1990 version, and not this one, we'll be talking about.SpiderJerusalem said:What can they do? Rename it to any other title and keep the "based on the Phillip K. Dick story" in the credits, only to have smarmy internet writers point out that "hey, this is just a ripoff of the Arnold movie!"