MovieChat Forums > Total Recall (2012) Discussion > Finally a remake that is better than the...

Finally a remake that is better than the original.

posted 9 years ago by Kiv_Blue
39 replies | jump to latest

I don't know why so many people think the original is so great when it's a complete cheese -fest of a B-rate movie. The production sets looked cheap and fake, the cab was a toy box, nobody believed it for a second that a woman that looks like Sharon Stone would end up with a dummy like Arnold especially when he's nothing special in terms of a career. At least it's more believable that Colin Farrell could get a woman like Kate Beckinsale with his good looks. The production sets of the remake is miles superior and far more futuristic, the story is more intense as well, the original is one comic relief after another to keep itself interesting, and far from a true sci-fi genre. The remake is far more sophisticated and entertaining on many levels, throw in the hotties Kate and Jessica, and there's really no contest.

[–] donpadilla 9 years ago

The original is great and your post is terrible.

You probably liked the RoboCop remake as well.

[–] Kiv_Blue 9 years ago

Robocop remake had a weak story, but original was more gritty, so liked original a little more.

Original Mad Max was far better than Fury Road.

Too bad, your insinuation that I just like new stuff is way off.

[–] donpadilla 9 years ago

The original Total Recall is a lot more gritty as well.

Len Wiseman is a hack anyway. He *beep* all over the Die Hard franchise.

[–] Kiv_Blue 9 years ago

No it isn't it's a goddamn cartoon.

[–] donpadilla 9 years ago

I am done here.

Total Recall remake is a polished Turd.

The original Total Recall is awesome. A lot of great practical make up effects over CGI boring nonsense.

[–] Kiv_Blue 9 years ago

I'm curious as to how people who ridicule CGI so much think about Pixar movies.

I'm sorry but CGI=garbage is a trendy line 10 years ago. Now it's just showing that you can't keep up with the times.

[–] donpadilla 9 years ago

CGI can be done right in movies now.

Just not in *beep* remakes like Total Recall, RoboCop and now Point Break. Studios remake movies and add a bunch of CGI to make it look nice and lack any entertaining qualities. Keeping up with the times that these stupid remakes are being made?

[–] Kiv_Blue 9 years ago

Robocop remake is very well made, unless you are an expert in the field, your basis for criticism has zero validity. You are just a grouchy old man who over-value old movies a little too much.

[–] donpadilla 9 years ago

RoboCop and Total Recall remakes are pieces of *beep* made up nicely for dumb kids like you.

I don't have to be an expert to know that the recent Paul Verhoeven remakes are terrible. The general population know that they were terrible considering how no one went to see them.

Have fun watching the Total Recall remake by yourself because no else thought that movie was any good.

[–] Kiv_Blue 9 years ago

See, you are wrong again, you just don't like remakes no matter what, that's not a good basis for an argument because you are just biased without reason. Secondly, you are wrong also that you assumed I'm a kid, it just goes to show that you say things purely out of your own prejudice.

Now, did I say Robocop remake is the greatest film ever made? No, it's just as engaging as the original, and technically far superior movie, the reason why the general public wasn't as accepting is because it wasn't the full-out action they wanted, instead it had a layer of dark drama that wasn't expected. A typical response from ADD-driven comic book hero movie action movies of today.

I suspect that you are just a Paul Verhoeven apologist, who simply has to criticize any of his movies that are remade.

Because the general public don't respond to sci-fi movies that actually have more than action scenes, visually stunning movies like Total Recall remake will be put aside for another brain-dead action flick sequel like Avengers.

[–] donpadilla 9 years ago

You are wrong again. I just said Paul Verhoeven remakes suck. The originals are better.

The RoboCop remake was not engaging at all. The first hour of the movie was very dull. The drama was so forced and cringe worthy with his stupid family.

The general public responded well to the original Verhoeven classics like RoboCop and Total Recall. They didn't respond well to another soulless cash grab remake from the studios.

[–] Kiv_Blue 9 years ago

Yes I get that you are a Paul Verhoeven apologist, you think his movies are better than anything.

Yes, you want action, any semblance of a drama in an action movie is dull to you, I get it, but that's just your preference, Robocop remake is still very good, Total Recall remake is even better.

Dumb action and Arnold were hot trends back then, but when I watch these movies today, they are B-grade cheese-fest, not exactly gunning for Oscars, they are just as guilty of being cash grab movies as well.

[–] christian-flickinger 8 years ago

In his defense, he thought you were a kid because that is the only logical explanation. This movie is terrible in every way. That is the majority opinion for a reason. Everything about it is a mess. I guess the two main actresses "look Good". It does have that going for it. I guess since you are not a kid, we must just assume that you are a moron.

GO SIXERS!!!
Phillies
Fly Eagles Fly

[–] octagonproplex 7 years ago

Die Hard franchise was only ruined in the 5th installment, "Good Day To Die Hard" directed by John Moore. "Live Free Or Die Hard" has an overly composed camera aesthetic that felt odd in cohesiveness to the elegantly contained roaming style John Mctiernan established, but nonetheless was true enough to the character of John McClaine and was a very enjoyable watch.

Strangely, Wiseman would go on after his Die Hard entry to actually employ many of John McTiernan's career trademark stylistic flourishes for his Total Recall remake -- the anamorphic lensed flares and rack focus bounce, gliding steadicam, and vérité whip-pans.

Mind only what is merited.

[–] MuggySphere 7 years ago

Mad Max Vagina Road was a terrible movie

[–] shatterhand (25) a month ago

Yes it was. Thank you!

[–] mechajutaro (2788) a month ago

J. Biel's T&A were incredible in this Total Recall '12. The movie itself proved more forgettable than Don Johnson's stint as a pop singer

[–] Mylobage 8 years ago

Op is right. The remake is better. And, that's saying something considering how terrible it was. The original is pure *beep*

Don't like what I'm saying? Then call 1800-Ima-CryBaby and ask for Waaaaaa.

[–] donpadilla 8 years ago

The remake failed at the box office. You and the other five people in the world who liked the remake are the only ones crying.

You can like all the *beep* PG-13 remade movies you like.

[–] Mylobage 8 years ago

Where did I say I liked it?

[–] knighty74 9 years ago

Don't know what you're smoking but can i have some?

In order for a film to be comparable with the original, it first has to be a decent film in its own right. The remake is awful in almost every way. Your whole argument rests on who is prettier! Not exactly winning anyone over with your amazing analysis there buddy.

[–] martinsimard 9 years ago

Couldn't agree more. Weakest argument I've ever read. It's true that the remake looks way better, but the original does better in every other aspect.

[–] 9 years ago

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[–] judah-usmc 8 years ago

Removing blood and gore from a Verhoeven film is tantamount to removing Darth Vader from Star Wars.... it just makes no sense. RoboCop, Total Recall, and Starship Troopers are a trifecta not to be trifled with. I can not think of another director, though many have tried, that can so perfectly strike a balance between satirical comedy, genuine brutality, and meaningful drama. I miss the old Verhoeven. He was great in his time. Also you should read up on his past... there is a reason he depicts so much blood and violence in his films.

[–] Kiv_Blue 9 years ago

I'm sorry but I couldn't keep a straight face watching the original, it's just a circus show, a typical B-grade Arnie movie.

[–] 9 years ago

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[–] scofield7 9 years ago

100 % Agree With OP This Remake Was Cool.Line Wiseman Is One Of The Finest Action Director In Hollywood.

[–] chwalker-christopher 8 years ago

No quarrel with people who were really fond of the original film, but I liked this version much better, mostly due to Colin Farrell's performance.

[–] doctorcrimedog 8 years ago

The box office numbers definitely declare Arnie's movie the winner....

By that rationale, Justin Beiber is a better musician than anyone who made less money. Sorry. Not in any universe.

-There is no such word as "alot."

[–] tvfranke 8 years ago

I agree: this remake was far better than the original! Kate Beckinsale did a great job playing the duplicitous, treacherous BITCH, and the action in general was far superior.

[–] doctorcrimedog 8 years ago

In fact, I can't think of a single thing the original did better. It was incredibly cheesy and hokey, the sets looked about the least lived-in of any since before Star Wars, and good lord, that ending was ridiculous: so unseen aliens built a machine that would make Mars like Earth, but left without ever using it. Fortunately, this machine that can change the environment of an entire planet in about two minutes can be switched on by a single, easily-identifiable control with no safety protocols. It then turns Mars's atmosphere breathable by vaporizing a huge glacier which Arnold describes as "the entire core of Mars," which gets hollowed out in minutes so the glacier, which I guess is some kind of oxygen/nitrogen glacier, can become the new air supply. I've rarely seen so much nonsense packed into such a short time. This version, specifically the director's cut, spent much more time going into the whole idea of identity and the uncertainty of our perceptions, which is what Phil Dick was always on about, than the original did. I saw that film back in 1990, and afterwards me and my friends sat around for an hour talking about how absurd it was. I'm glad it got a better version.

-There is no such word as "alot."

[–] atari_saturna 8 years ago

Havn't seen the remake but I doubt it can top the awesome original. I have seen the new Robocop though which is a weak mess of a movie. I liked certain things as the Teheran intro and when Murphy is converted to a cyborg. What I didn't like was pretty much everything else especially the action or lack thereof and the kid friendly rating...

[–] ruhenri-decastro 8 years ago

Agree.

[–] nowhereboy07 8 years ago

Agree with OP. And wow old people sure are bitter. Lol

[–] danmax67 8 years ago

I must be honest. I wanted to like the remake. It was okay I guess, but totally forgettable. I watched it once and would never watch it again. The original I still enjoy greatly. I've probably seen it 5 times over the years and when I saw it was on last night, I watched it again and enjoyed it again.

[–] ncrdimedia 8 years ago

Totally agree with the OP.

Watched this on it's release and again recently.

Set design and future world was fantastic.
Thought the action was good also.
I hope this one gets it's due as time goes on. Think it's really an excellent film.

Dark, muted, rainy and dystopian. Exactly how it ought to be.
Not bright, colourful, cheesy and camp, with the most unrealistic set designs.

Colin Farrell is infinitely stronger than Arnie. He's actually an actor for starters.
Arnie is not an actor. Simple. I for one, won't get past that.
Nothing he does has any credibility. He's just utter crap.
Farrell actually has something going on between the ears and has a vulnerability that was nowhere to be seen in the original.

The original movie was obvious, telegraphed, cliched, unbelievably clunky and B-rate.
You knew all the beats three steps ahead of the action. Made for idiots.

Now, I saw the original at the theatres on it's release and have seen it numerous times over the years, so it has nothing to do with generations.

For me, the 2012 version is not perfect, but it is damned good and a far more satisfying take on the genre.

Closer to Minority Report in tone than it is to the original 1990 movie and that is a good thing.

But hey, I also loved 'The Island' so I'm used to being in a party of one when it comes to my views on dystopian sci-fi movies.

In short, I loved it!