This one is a knock out of the park. The film looks and sounds fantastic, a ton of extras, and at a good price point at release. This one is highly recommended for anyone looking for a reason to upgrade their current Blu-ray release.
“Fully reimagined in stunning 4k for its 30th anniversary – and remastered in Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos – Paul Verhoeven’s out-of-this-world sci-fi thrill ride can now be experienced like never before! In this splintered-reality mind-bender, it’s the year 2084, and construction worker Quaid (Schwarzenegger) is haunted by dreams of Mars, a place he’s never been. Against his wife’s (Sharon Stone) wishes, Quaid goes to Rekall, a memory-implant company that promises a thrilling virtual trip to the red planet. But what Quaid “remembers” is that he’s a secret agent whose cover has been blown…and that he must return to Mars at any cost.”
Paul Verhoeven’s sci-fi films are quite possibly some of my favorites of the genre. With a mixture of brutal violence, gore and dark humor, his films quite often paint a grim and morbid future for mankind. Total Recall, based on a Philip K. Dick short story, pushed the limits of practical effects and was one of the first films to experiment with CGI. The resulting film still manages to look amazing thirty years after its release.
When I think of Verhoeven, I automatically think of those great practical effects that he utilizes in his most well-known films. Robocop demonstrated his unique talents and vision, which caused Schwarzenegger to want to work with him, bringing him the script for Total Recall. The majority of these effects look as though they were filmed yesterday on 4k; the miniatures, expansive backgrounds of the Martian landscape, and those practical effects, especially toward the end of the characters exposed to the Martian atmosphere, simply astonishing. Verhoeven’s style is definitely what makes the film stand out all these decades later. It may not be entirely faithful to the Philip K. Dick story, but it’s tailor-made for a Schwarzenegger action-adventure that expands our imaginations to what a film like this could be.
The story not only relies heavily on the action and sci-fi sequences to create a unique look at the future, there is also a bit of mystery added to it that questions the entire reality of the story. The film is left open-ended purposefully by Verhoeven, who himself doesn’t know the truth behind the ending. Of course, it’s easier to take the film at face value, but that possibility still lingers that things may not be what they seem, and that’s a dark interpretation that leaves you quite depressed. It wouldn’t be a Paul Verhoeven film without that of dark theme to it, a film already riddled with violence, war, greed, etc.
The script had been passed around for quite some time before finally ending up in the hands of Schwarzenegger who took it to Carolco to get it made, with a slew of actors before him showing interest in the lead character. As much as Schwarzenegger is considered an action-superstar, people don’t realize the contributions he’s made to the world of science fiction. Terminator, Predator, 6th Day, all have heavy elements of science fiction, helping to solidify its popularity among audiences and demonstrating that the genre can be just as exciting as any other. In Total Recall, he’s the perfect choice for Douglas Quaid. His sense of wanting to be something more than what he is drives him to Rekall, setting him on the path to save an entire planet. His search for answers leads him to a dark realization toward the end, that his alter-ego, Hauser, is more sinister than he imagined. Not only is he fighting good vs. evil on Mars, but essentially fighting it within himself as well, not wanting to go back to become a man who benefits on the misfortunes of others, who lies and kills on a whim to meet the demands of his master.
Video
Total Recall is presented in 2160p 4k High Definition Widescreen 1.85:1 featuring Dolby Vision and HDR10. This release contains new transfers for both the 4k and Blu-ray release, which I found to be quite stunning. The opening sequence on Mars is probably the best opening example you could use. The landscape is stunning, with the orange-hue especially vibrant and crystal clear, like it was filmed yesterday. For the majority, this trend continues throughout the film. Grain is present, usually maintained at a manageable level. The detail and the color, the draw of 4k in general, is definitely the main draw to this new set. As colorful as the film is, utilizing those vibrant colors in almost every scene, especially on Mars, we’re given an absolutely breathtaking look with rich and vibrant new colors with brilliant brights and deep darks. The Dolby Vision ensures each sequence is specifically calibrated to look the best possible.
Audio
The audio is presented in a new Dolby Atmos mix, which also is very impressive. Levels from the surrounds are good, balanced well from the center channel, keeping dialogue clear and concise. What I noticed most about the track is the benefit from the Atmos speakers in some scenes, most notably in the action sequences and especially the last, as the sounds swells overhead, making it a nice immersive experience you’ll only find in that Atmos track. No audio issues of note were discovered.
Special Features
This set features a wealth of extras, that include an entire disc dedicated to more. Especially interesting is the featurette on Carolco, which goes in depth on the impact the studio made in Hollywood.
These extras include:
Includes Brand-New 4k and Blu-ray Special Featuers:
- Total Excess: How Carolco Changed Hollywood Documentary
- “Open Your Mind: Scoring Total Recall” Featurette
- “Dreamers Within the Dream: Developing Total Recall” Featurette
Special Features:
- “Total Recall: The Special Effects” Featurette (Blu-ray Only)
- “The Making of Total Recall” Featurette (Blu-ray Only)
- Imagining Total Recall Documentary (Blu-ray Only)
- Audio Commentary with Arnold Schwarzenegger and Paul Verhoeven
- Theatrical Trailer
Total Recall looks and sounds fantastic on this 4k release, an excellent treatment from Lionsgate. This is a definite must-buy upgrade for fans of the film that own the previous release, especially with the price point it is currently at for the Holidays. Experience the film like you never have before by checking this one out!
