Total Recall Remake First Impressions
As the first trailer of the Total Recall remake emerges – a film that has somewhat astounded filmgoers, as some cannot understand why the 1990 sci-fi classic needed to be remade – it seems that the remake is taking some interesting new directions.
The remake follows a factory worker who suspects that he is a secret agent, unaware on which side he fights for in the midst of a political battle between two states of a dystopian future nation.
The remake employs Colin Farrell as protagonist Douglas Quaid, in place of the original’s Arnold Schwarzenegger. An interesting choice, considering most of the movies Farrell has starred in have not gone on to be massive hits; whilst Schwarzenegger entered the original film at the peak of his career, having hit projects like Predator and Red Heat. But Farrell can perhaps offer a more emotional insight into Quaid’s character in this version, since Schwarzenegger is usually first and foremost an action hero rather than an emotional character in his roles. Farrell is joined by Kate Beckinsale (star of the Underworld series) as his wife Lori and Jessica Biel (star of The A-Team and Blade: Trinity) as Melina, a prostitute who holds the key to Quaid’s past.
The film is not set on Mars as the original is, but in a dystopian future vision of Earth in which ‘Euroamerica’ (previously the EU and North America) and ‘New Shanghai’ (previously South East Asia and China) are battling for political supremacy.
Len Wiseman (director of the Underworld trilogy and Live Free or Die Hard – aka Die Hard 4.0) helms the remake, which for some strikes fear considering his lacklustre previous works but with an eye for action sequences, should provide some electrifying scenes. With today’s technological advancements, we can certainly expect an action-packed visual spectacle with the remake, as the trailer shows off the fast combat and thrilling hover-car chases.
The remake hits cinemas in the UK on August 22nd 2012.
Featured image source – GeekyGadgets