Total Recall (1990) Retrospective/Review - Paul Verhoeven Sci-Fi Masterpiece Trilogy, Part 2

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Over the years I've heard a lot of Arnie behind the scenes, buying scripts, hiring special effects teams, getting directors on board etc. And he basically saved, and initiated a lot of his movies. The man had brains and vision!

I rewatched Total Recall a few days ago, and about 10 minutes in I joyfully exclaimed, “oh my god, this movie is so fucking awesome!”

Total Recall is a MASTERPIECE. "You are what you do; a man is defined by his actions, not his memories."

"see you at the party Rictor!!" and he throws off the severed arms of Rictor down the elevator shaft. Love it

Total Recall is a Masterpiece from a long gone time of movies. A true classic....

Robocop, Total Recall and Starship Troopers = the ultimate box set.

Total Recall, Robocop and Starship Troopers are among the best films ever made. Doing remakes of them are beyond insane.

As an 80's kid Arnie's movies were always the primo action flicks, he really did do a pretty decent job of picking and choosing what to be in. Predator, Terminator, Conan, and Total Recall all are fun to watch again today.

The original Total Recall film was nothing short of brilliant...it truly is one of the best sci-fi films ever.

Arnold made this movie happen with his influence and made sure that the cast and crew were still in high spirits despite the injuries and illnesses. Must have been a fun set to be on.

One thing I do appreciate about the movie Paul Verhovenen make is that his movie can be enjoyed on multiple levels. For example Robo Cop, Total Recall and Starship Troopers are just as enjoyable if you watch them as strait forward action movies where good guys beat up the bad guys. As if you watch the same movies as commentaries on politics and society.

The fact that the movie’s ending is still being debated today shows how much it makes you think.

Fun fact: The group shower scene almost didn't happen in Starship Troopers. The cast was uncomfortable shooting the co-ed shower scene nude together. The cast in the scene said they wouldn't do it unless Paul himself was also nude. Paul Verhoeven immediately stripped off all his clothes in front of everyone, and continued working normally. The cast was stunned by his lack of hesitation, and boldness. They all agreed to film the shower scene. And Paul directed the entire scene while nude behind the camera. The scene itself required several takes until Director Paul Verhoeven was satisfied.

Total recall was lightning in a bottle, and the 2012 remake shows how that kind of phenomenon cannot just be reproduced and resold.

I remember going to see "Total Recall" with my dad in a second run theater. We also saw "Beck to the Future III" I think the same week, or somewhere close to it. It was a great movie summer for an 11 year old.

In retrospect, the Total Recall distributors being afraid of Dick Tracy is absolutely HILARIOUS 😆

You forget sometimes just how high a success ratio Arnold had back then.

No one has been able to capture this particular mix of wit, satire, sarcasm, invention, and wonderment in science fiction since the days of Verhoeven's trilogy. The closest I can think of are maybe "District 9" or "The Boys", but even those have a totally different tone and timing. I'd give anything to see Verhoeven come back to the genre. We need him!

I've watched this movie so many times I can't even count. I can still watch it back to back and I still love it. One of my most favorite movies ever made.