MovieChat Forums > Total Recall (2012) Discussion > Was the colony inhabited by total idiots...

Was the colony inhabited by total idiots? (spoilers)

posted 8 years ago by ales_kovarik
26 replies | jump to latest

The earth lift is not only a gaping hole in the Earth but also in the plot of the movie. First, If the Earth was so devastated by the chemical wars, then how the heck were the people able to dig a giant hole through the whole Earth (some 12 600 km), keep it stable and have breathable atmosphere in it? Wouldn't it be a lot more efficient and easier to invest in cleaning the mess on the surface???
Second, If the Fall was the one tool to control, abuse, and eventually invade the colony, then why the hell didn't the people from the colony destroy it? Plain and simple. In the end they knew that the invaders are coming from this vulnerable hole in the ground and instead of throwing bombs inside the citizens were told to find shelter outside of the city? What the hell??

[–] TerraFirma69 8 years ago

Care to explain how it was a hole in the plot?

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[–] Strazdamonas 8 years ago

he already did, i suggest you read his post again.

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Applied Science? All science is applied. Eventually.

[–] TerraFirma69 8 years ago

No he didn't. He explained that the characters in the story are not too bright and that the concept of a hole through the earth isn't realistic. There's nothing there that makes the plot itself unworkable or contradictory.

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[–] Augustus_Octavian 8 years ago

Requiring that the Colony is almost literally mentally retarded is so far-fetched that most people would consider it somewhat of a plot hole.

[–] TerraFirma69 8 years ago

Where do we draw the line?

So many stories have stupid characters in them, or stupid actions or lack of actions by individual or groups of characters to advance the story or to have lead to a state of affairs that allows the story to exist.

Can't go around calling them all plot holes, surely?

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[–] Augustus_Octavian 8 years ago

In my personal view on this subjective matter on where to draw the line, expecting an entire country to not realize that cutting off the only invasion route is a good idea is something extremely far-fetched, to an outrageous degree.

Single individuals can be mentally retarded, that is fine (and real-life). Expecting an entire country to be mentally retarded (on a non-ideology and non-religious matter) is completely unrealistic.

[–] TerraFirma69 8 years ago

A lot of unrealistic things happen in movies, they may be silly but as long as they don't make the story unworkable or contradictory to itself, I can't call it a plot hole.

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[–] Augustus_Octavian 8 years ago

Since the entire invasion is dependent on the unworkable idea that the Colony doesn't realize it can easily halt it, does this not make it a plot hole then?

[–] TerraFirma69 8 years ago

The colony being stupid might be hard to believe, but it is not a hole in the plot. That's just how things are in the universe of the movie. Just like there being a tunnel through the centre of the earth.

There's a flying humanoid alien in Superman (who I might add can somehow change direction and speed mid flight - is he telekinetic, magnetic or what?), people are sometimes tactical morons in Recall. Inconceivable as those things may be, the stories themselves are intact.

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[–] Augustus_Octavian 8 years ago

The tunnel is part of the futurist / science fiction setting where technology has developed further / differently.

What? Humans have literally evolved into literal (not figurative) morons as well? No backdrop nor hint was given for this evolution. In Superman, they literally tell you about Superman. Can you tell me where they mentioned that humans have become idiots? Otherwise if they are still normal humans, the story cannot work because the invasion can never happen to begin with.

[–] TerraFirma69 8 years ago

It's part of the story. It's not contradictory to the story. Not a plot hole.

As I've said before, human stupidity of all levels is essential to the advancement of many stories.

For instance, try a movie like Prometheus. One colossally stupid decision after another made by supposedly highly intelligent characters. By this standard that board should be riddled with 'plot hole' complaints, yet not a one to be found.

Inconsistent with the behaviour of rational people? Yes. Plot holes? No.

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[–] Augustus_Octavian 8 years ago

Your example is of individuals who behave stupidly.

This film is of an entire nation, an entire country, who is apparently so stupid that they did not simply halt the invasion by disabling the invasion route.

Massive difference between individuals being stupid and the entire country being stupid. Within this very specific context of a factual non-ideological non-religious matter. To give you an example, it is one thing for an individual to get a maths problem wrong. It is quite another for the entire country to get a maths problem wrong.

[–] TerraFirma69 8 years ago

Still not a plot hole. Not a hole in the plot. Just poor decision making by characters, individually or as a group. Which can be said of many stories/movies.

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[–] Augustus_Octavian 8 years ago

No. It is "poor decision making by" an entire country.

Sure. Then do kindly name these numerous movies that has such instances. And with no similar complaint of plot holes on their forums as you stated earlier. Take your time to consider, no hurry.

[–] TerraFirma69 8 years ago

Not going to play that game. Use your imagination.

But I will counter with something much simpler; if this is such a glaring plot hole, why isn't this board riddled with threads calling it that? This is the only one I've come across. The OP of which erroneously called out another 'plot hole' also.

Nothing you do is going to convince me this is a plot hole, because it simply isn't.

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[–] Augustus_Octavian 8 years ago

Ah ah. You made a factual claim, but now am unwilling/unable to back it up. And you have now explicitly stated that you are unwilling to be convinced by any argument, independent of logic or reason.

I am content with concluding this discussion as it is now. 😃

[–] TerraFirma69 8 years ago

No, I'm just not going to play the game where I hunt around for examples and you use some mushy logic to deny them, and we go around in circles forever.

You enjoy your victory.

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[–] Augustus_Octavian 8 years ago

Nah, you just cannot back it up. In any case, you already explicitly acknowledged that you intend to reject any rational arguments, so...

Sure, I will! I won, and you lost! 😊

[–] TerraFirma69 8 years ago

Nope, just that I'll reject your arguments because you're misguided. I hope this 'win' gives you the fulfilment you need.

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[–] Augustus_Octavian 8 years ago

Yup, you have defined all opposing arguments as misguided. Precisely the mind-set I want to point out.

Nah, owning you was pretty easy. Not much of a challenge. You were defeated rather promptly. Still, at least I did my part in enlightening you. 😃

[–] TerraFirma69 8 years ago

lol Wow, really getting off on the little victory you've invented for yourself. Don't strain that shoulder patting yourself on the back.

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[–] Augustus_Octavian 8 years ago

Nah, you got owned. Clear and simple. You chose to make a bold claim and now can't back it up. That is pretty much how it works.

We can go back and forth if you want. But what it comes down to, is that you don't come off looking too hot due to that. So...

[–] TheB1ueCat (1) 6 years ago

3 years late to this riveting discussion but I'm afraid it is you sir (Augustus_Octavian) who actually is the one that comes off worse; like a petulant, whiny child with his fingers in his ears singing "I know you are, you said you are but what am I?!"

[–] Don-the-Lamplighter 8 years ago

Wow, this thread quickly became as boring as the movie.

[–] femmemuscle (110) 5 years ago

Wow..

This sounded like one of the screenwriters defending their plot hole..

I actually thought the question was pretty legitimate.

[–] [deleted] 5 years ago

Yes.