Reimaging suffers a Schizoid Embolism. This reboot of the Paul Verhoeven/Arnold Schwarzenegger 1990 monster hit finds Colin Farrell as factory worker Douglas Quaid who, in search of meaning in his life and maybe an answer to his weird dreams, visits Rekall, a company who implant fantastical memories to order. When something strange shows up during the initial procedure, Quaid finds that nothing in his life is at all what he thought. There's a lot of very good craft here, there really is, that is on proviso you are happy to indulge in stylised effects over character substance. It's also a cold hard fact that fans of the original Philip K. Dick story, and fans of the Verhoeven bonkers adaptation, are very unlikely to embrace such a candy shop approach to what was once an inventive premise. Jessica Biel and Kate Beckinsale file in for the two lead female roles, which on facial likeness is a smart bit of casting, while on a butt point of view they have two of the best in the business. Farrell is competently gruff rough and tough, but again can you avert the thought process away from Schwarzenegger cutting a swathe through a futuristic world? A big problem is that as much as Beckinsale is lovely and feisty, the decision by her husband, director Len Wiseman, to make her part a complete film filler, grates on the nerves with its obvious stench of nepotiz. Still, if you are looking for a sci-fi picture awash with outrageous excitement, bangs and crashes galore and a sexy cast? Then this will certainly give you cause to chomp down with glee on your popcorn. There's homage nods to the Arnie movie, which are gratefully received, the pace never sags and the art design for this futuristic world is grade "A" in quality. As remakes go it's OK and far from being a stinker, you can have fun here, but it can't deliver enough quality to those fans mentioned earlier, and they are right to have such high standards. 6/10

**Overall : A fantastic sci-fi action film that is much better than its reviews imply.** While based on the original Total Recall starring Arnold Schwarzenegger film from 1990, Total Recall (2012) differs in many ways. The tone is more serious and less zany than the first. The setting is on Earth rather than Mars, and the ending is left a little less ambiguous than the first. These differences caused mixed reviews, mostly from fans of the original. However, I enjoyed this film much more than the original! The acting and effects were much improved, and the action sequences were amazingly well done. Total Recall (2012) is more straightforward of a sci-fi action movie than its predecessor, but I find that a strength rather than a fault.

Totally class. Totally absorbing. Totally worth a watch...or ten dozen. There's a great story here, some great and convincing characters and mind-blowingly imaginative visuals. Not to mention two kick-ass women! If you want a rollercoaster ride from the comfort of your own sofa this is the movie for you. It's even worth putting up with Colin Farrell for.