Total Recall (1990)
80%RT Audience Score: 78%
Awards & Nominations: Nominated for 2 Oscars
7 wins & 16 nominations total
Under Paul Verhoeven’s frenetic direction, Total Recall is a fast-paced rush of violence, gore, and humor that never slacks
Total Recall is a classic sci-fi action movie that’s so cheesy, it’s good. From Arnold Schwarzenegger’s over-the-top acting to the outrageous special effects, this movie is a wild ride from start to finish. Sure, some of the effects may have aged a bit, but that only adds to the charm. And let’s not forget the iconic three-breasted woman. Total Recall is the perfect movie to watch when you want to escape reality and indulge in some mindless fun.
Production Company(ies)
Why Not Productions, Chic Films, Page 114
Distributor
Artisan Entertainment, Live Video, TriStar Pictures, Image Entertainment Inc.
Release Type
Streaming, Theatrical
Filming Location(s)
Estudios Churubusco Azteca, Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico
MPAA / Certificate
R
Year of Release
1990
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Color:Color
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Sound mix:Dolby
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Aspect ratio:1.85 : 1
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Runtime:1h 49m
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Language(s):English
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Country of origin:United States
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Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Jun 1, 1990 Original
Release Date (Streaming): May 21, 2002
Genre(s)
Action
Keyword(s)
starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Rachel Ticotin, Sharon Stone, Ronny Cox, Michael Ironside, Marshall Bell, directed by Paul Verhoeven, written by Philip K Dick, Jon Povill, Gary Goldman, produced by Buzz Feitshans, Ronald Shusett, action, R rating, box office gross $117.8M, budget, reviewed by Kevin Maher, David Robinson, Nigel Andrews, Desmond Ryan, Tom Huddleston, Johanna Steinmetz, Travis Johnson, Eddie Harrison, Mike Massie, Matt Patches, David Hogan, Dennis King, Phillip K Dick’s ideas, sci-fi, virtual reality, Mars, false memories, violence, gore, humor, twists, turns, practical effects, nudity, provocative, shootouts, twists and turns, must-see
Worldwide gross: $261,317,921
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $602,439,556
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 222
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 65,696,789
US/Canada gross: $119,412,921
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $275,293,278
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 225
US/Canada opening weekend: $25,533,700
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $58,865,120
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 183
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): $65,000,000
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): $149,850,309
Production budget ranking: 221
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): $80,694,391
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): $371,894,856
ROI to date (est.): 161%
ROI ranking: 734
Rachel Ticotin – Melina
Sharon Stone – Lori
Ronny Cox – Vilos Cohaagen
Michael Ironside – Richter
Marshall Bell – George, Kuato
Director(s)
Paul Verhoeven
Writer(s)
Philip K. Dick, Jon Povill, Gary Goldman
Producer(s)
Buzz Feitshans, Ronald Shusett
Film Festivals
Toronto
Awards & Nominations
Nominated for 2 Oscars
7 wins & 16 nominations total
Academy Awards
All Critics (73) | Top Critics (25) | Fresh (60) | Rotten (13)
Forget about the disposable Colin Farrell remake from 2012.
November 20, 2020 | Rating: 5/5
Kevin Maher
Times (UK)
TOP CRITIC
The film’s visual invention is offset by its visceral nastiness. Schwarzenegger’s self-deprecatory good humour prevails none the less.
June 23, 2020
David Robinson
Times (UK)
TOP CRITIC
Suffice it that machines crackle, futureworlds whirl and beings human and animal metamorphose before our eyes. Sci-fl addicts, see and enjoy. Everyone else may await, though not over-eagerly, the video.
June 23, 2020
Nigel Andrews
Financial Times
TOP CRITIC
Schwarzenegger is never going to make the De Niros and Hoffmans of this world lose a night’s sleep, but he has acquired a new confidence as an actor under Verhoeven’s guidance.
July 27, 2016 | Rating: 3/4
Desmond Ryan
Philadelphia Inquirer
TOP CRITIC
Total Recall is slick, sly and subversive, and if some of the special effects have aged somewhat, that only adds to the charm.
July 27, 2016 | Rating: 4/5
Tom Huddleston
Time Out
TOP CRITIC
As Quaid, Schwarzenegger continues to stretch beyond his reach as an actor, relying on physical prowess to keep him in character.
July 27, 2016 | Rating: 2.5/4
Johanna Steinmetz
Chicago Tribune
TOP CRITIC
Total Recall as a film and Verhoeven as a filmmaker both have serious thematic concerns, beyond the simple, iconoclastic joy of throwing as much blood and boobs at the screen as they could get away with.
June 29, 2021
Travis Johnson
Blunt Magazine
…much more than just an Arnie vehicle, it’s got the logic of a bad dream, and that makes for one of the great sci-fi action movies…
February 17, 2021 | Rating: 4/5
Eddie Harrison
film-authority.com
From the outstandingly inventive prosthetics to the nonstop, volatile hullabaloo piled high with death and laugh-out-loud humor, the film is essential science-fiction viewing.
September 25, 2020 | Rating: 9/10
Mike Massie
Gone With The Twins
Though the movie might make you think twice before embarking on a virtual staycation, Total Recall is ideal “escapism” – a big action movie with something to say.
August 11, 2020
Matt Patches
Polygon
You get the action, the cheese, and some good sci-fi and practical effects. What’s not to love?
February 7, 2019 | Rating: 4/5
David Hogan
hoganreviews.co.uk
All told, Total Recall is a powerful brew of mordant humor, keen wit, refreshing originality and graphic violence.
July 27, 2016 | Rating: 3/4
Dennis King
Tulsa World…
Plot
Douglas Quaid is haunted by a recurring dream about a journey to Mars. He hopes to find out more about this dream and buys a holiday at Rekall Inc. where they sell implanted memories. But something goes wrong with the memory implantation and he remembers being a secret agent fighting against the evil Mars administrator Cohaagen. Now the story really begins and it’s a rollercoaster ride until the massive end of the movie.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
There is no goofy or funny or odd comment about the film Total Recall on Fresh Kernels.
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