Total Recall (2012)

As a fan of Colin Farrell, I felt hopeful going into the theater. Sadly, the first hour of Total "Rekall" is jarring and laden with intrusive chase scenes that prevented me from appreciating the effort in futuristic elements and impressive CGI. I normally like quick camera cuts, but this doesn't need them or the hectic pacing. Enough, already.

The picture finally slows down, and the good scenes (if not minimum) become available. I was reminded of "Paycheck", about how the past self can cunningly leave clues and tools for their future self. These scenes offer the largest amount of character depth and information. Since they are over in 5 minutes, the film could use more of them.

Meanwhile, I was still confused. How does the plot device--I mean, how does the vast technology in the world of "Total Recall" function? Why are there women with 3 breasts, and inexplicable flashy waves overlapping the picture? Confusion can be intriguing, but only in small doses. If you lose your audience, it's over. There are moments in "Total Recall" that made me believe the filmmakers didn't care if they were the only passengers in a vehicle that goes absolutely nowhere.

And nowhere, indeed, is where this film goes. Yet, as I slowly begin to understand (or at least begin to form an understanding) the plot, another pointless chase scene emerges. Enough, already. How many times do I have to say it? Why bore the audience with yet another wasteful chase scene? We know Mr. Farrell isn't going to die--at least not yet. Instead of taking 5 minutes only for him to elude capture (again), dig some character depth or at least think up an interesting personality.

At its core, "Total Recall" is a neat concept. It has a chilling musical score, decent tension at times and a solid lead in Farrell, though he isn't given much to do here. With a duration of 2 hours, this film should've amounted to more than it actually does--and I don't mean 'tries to become'. This incoherent film doesn't try whatsoever. It's as if "Total Recall" becomes self aware (like the robots in Terminator, a much better futuristic film, and much simpler too) and knows it fails to be effective, so it lazily offers a dull conclusion that is unworthy of the profound elements it seemed to introduced earlier.

Lacking the zest and simplicity of the Jason Bourne movies, or even "Paycheck", this film becomes a victim of its own self-imposed low ceiling. The plot mostly runs in circles, ignoring my confusion and lack of excitement about a dull civil war in a world that has flying cars! When a film fails to be exceptional, it has no redeeming quality. Other than for this review, "Total Recall" is not worth being "recalled."