Did Total Recall need a remake?

[Jerkface Killah]

I just watched the trailer for the new Total Recall. (Trailer available here: http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/sony ... talrecall/ )

I'm a little dumbfounded. Did Total Recall need a remake? Is Paul Verhoeven involved in any way? Maybe I'm being unreasonable. I was excited at the idea of a ROBOCOP remake, but maybe because it was supposed to be dark and directed by Darren Aronofsky. This just looks like another "summer blockbuster".

What are your thoughts?

[Stark]

I just watched the trailer for the new Total Recall. (Trailer available here: http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/sony ... talrecall/ )

I'm a little dumbfounded. Did Total Recall need a remake? Is Paul Verhoeven involved in any way? Maybe I'm being unreasonable. I was excited at the idea of a ROBOCOP remake, but maybe because it was supposed to be dark and directed by Darren Aronofsky. This just looks like another "summer blockbuster".

What are your thoughts?

I think you're looking at it wrong. If Total Recall the movie was the original source material, then no, I don't think that they needed to remake Total Recall. But it's not the orignal, it's based on the short work We Can Remember It For You Wholesale by Philip K. Dick. So there is room to reimagine how that looks in movie form. It's more of a reboot. That's also why your question about Verhoeven being involved makes no sense. Why would he be?

An analagous scenario in film would be the reboot of Spider-man, with the latest movie The Amazing Spider-man. This isn't a remake of the movie Spider-man directed by Sam Raimi, would you be surprised that he isn't involved in making The Amazing Spider-man?

[lisalover1]

I don't know if Total Recall needs a remake, but The Running Man recently got a remake. They changed the characters and title, though; now it's called The Hunger Games.

[Jerkface Killah]

I just watched the trailer for the new Total Recall. (Trailer available here: http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/sony ... talrecall/ )

I'm a little dumbfounded. Did Total Recall need a remake? Is Paul Verhoeven involved in any way? Maybe I'm being unreasonable. I was excited at the idea of a ROBOCOP remake, but maybe because it was supposed to be dark and directed by Darren Aronofsky. This just looks like another "summer blockbuster".

What are your thoughts?

I think you're looking at it wrong. If Total Recall the movie was the original source material, then no, I don't think that they needed to remake Total Recall. But it's not the orignal, it's based on the short work We Can Remember It For You Wholesale by Philip K. Dick. So there is room to reimagine how that looks in movie form. It's more of a reboot. That's also why your question about Verhoeven being involved makes no sense. Why would he be?

An analagous scenario in film would be the reboot of Spider-man, with the latest movie The Amazing Spider-man. This isn't a remake of the movie Spider-man directed by Sam Raimi, would you be surprised that he isn't involved in making The Amazing Spider-man?

I ask about Verhoeven because this movie isn't called "We Can Remember It For You Wholesale: The Movie", it's called "Total Recall". I understand that Verhoeven didn't invent the idea, and it was based on a book, but they are specifically remaking the movie. The main character is still named Douglas Quaid, not Quail as it is in the book. I just think it's a lame cash grab and based on the idea of "I remember Total Recall, I'll see this movie". But then again, that is common practice now.

As a side note, I loved ideas from "We Can Remember It for You Wholesale" used in the anime, "Space Adventure Cobra". For those who don't know, its the story of a klutzy, goofy guy who works for "the company" who goes to a "trip movie" (an implanted memory) and has a "trip" in which he is a brave space pirate named Cobra on the run from the Pirate Guild who want to kill him because he would rather work alone than join. These "implanted memories are really his own, as he is Cobra but had erased his memory to escape his former life. Now that he know his true identity, he must again fight the legion of the Pirate Guild. Oh, and did I mention he has a laser for a left arm called the Psychogun? Spoiler Alert: It's awesome.

[Luke]

Did this need it's own thread'?

Nope.

This is already being discussed in the movie thread.

[Jerkface Killah]

Did this need it's own thread'?

Nope.

This is already being discussed in the movie thread.

Well, I didn't think to look in the "Last Movie You've Seen" thread, because the movie isn't out yet.

[BurningDoom]

Wait, you're not okay with a Total Recall remake, but you aren't with a RoboCop remake? I don't get it. RoboCop was a helluva sci-fi movie, as well. If you have the "leave it alone if it was already great" mentality, then why not apply it to RoboCop? Yeah, the sequels stunk to high heaven, but the original is an 80s masterpiece.

[Xeogred]

Paul Verhoeven is a boss. Robocop, Starship Troopers, Total Recall, these movies are legit.

This remake looks beyond awful. Waste of time.

[BoringSupreez]

I don't know if Total Recall needs a remake, but The Running Man recently got a remake. They changed the characters and title, though; now it's called The Hunger Games.

Watch yourself; I know many females who stand ready to assault all criticizers of The Hunger Games.

[Luke]

Don't judge a movie you haven't watched. "I didn't like X and Y about the trailer" is fine, but don't judge a book by its cover.

Unless the cover is that of a rob schneider movie.