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'Total Recall' is a Total Remake

At the movies, a recall of an old film with different actors, better special effects and a predictable outcome.

 
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Set in the future, Colin Farrell plays Doug Quaid, a factory worker bored with his job. Despite having a smoking hot wife, Kate Beckinsale, he is unhappy with his life. He soon finds out that the vivid fantasies he's been having are his real life when he signs up for a vacation mind trip in Total Recall.

Quaid soon finds out he is an agent mixed up with rebellion here on earth and is also involved with a super-sexy rebel agent played by Jessica Biel. All the while he must somehow stop Bryan Cranston's character, Cohaagen, from doing evil things to ordinary people.

The plot thickens as Quaid realizes that everything he thinks he knows about himself is fictitious, and all of his memories have been implanted. A reluctant hero in a world turned upside down.

This version is not much different from the original, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger back in 1990. Sure, the acting is a bit better and the special effects are much more realistic. But Schwarzenegger's portrayal of Quaid seemed more wounded, more baffled, more desperate. In the Farrell performance, there's more of a sense that the character is being swept along with the events. In short, the old Recall wasn't all that. This one isn't either, so the Flick-O-Meter gives Total Recall just barely a 3 out of five. The film is not unwatchable; it just has nothing new to say. I'm a big fan of science fiction but in all honesty, despite some subtle changes, Total Recall is a total remake.

Let me know what you think.

Head to my Facebook fan page; it's called TheBrettside, and click Like.

Dinner: Hooters

It's sometime hard to forget some of the waitresses at this restaurant. And the food's not bad, either.

Showtimes: Movies 278

Ready to see Total Recall? Then head over to Movies 278, 185 Metromont Road, Hiram. For more theater information and links to showtimes and pricing, click here or call 678-513-4400.

About this column: Brett Martin is a familiar face in the Atlanta area. He was the Entertainment reporter and Road Warrior for Fox 5 and Good Day Atlanta for many years (1999-2007). Brett continues to be a film critic and a member of the BFCA (broadcast film critics association). He has personally interviewed nearly every major movie star and academy award winning actor and actress over the past two decades. You can catch all his reviews and find out more about Brett on his two websites. His movie reviews can be seen at www.flickedup.com. His video production business, which specializes in online commercials, can be seen at www.brettervideo.com. If you have any specific questions contact Brett through his email. flickmeup@gmail.com or friend him on Facebook www.facebook.com/brettervideo. You can also follow him on Twitter at @imbrettmartin. Related Topics: Colin Farrell, Jessica Biel, Kate Beckinsale, Movies 278, Total Recall, and dinner and a movie

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