‘His version is bad’: When Paul Verhoeven remakes one of his cult sci-fi films

A famous filmmaker of the eighties and nineties, behind several successes such as RocoCop and Basic Instinct, Paul Verhoeven is known for his outrageous cinematography and honesty. So when it comes to commenting on the 2012 remake of Total Recall, directed by Len Wiseman and starring Colin Farrell, the director pulls no punches.

on that dayQuestion and answer sessionJust days after the release of the new film, Paul Verhoeven said:

“Arnold made the film light, and I think that’s very important to Philip Dick’s stories. Had it been done strictly, I’m not sure it would have worked – at least not at the time. And recently, with the remake, it doesn’t work.”

He follows: “I allow myself to say this because the producer of the new one said that mine was kitsch. And Colin Farrell called it a “spade” recently. So I dare say it: his version is bad.“Four years later, while promoting her movie Elle ColliderPaul Verhoeven does it again:

“These films need satirical or comedic distance to find a place with the public. Playing seriously without humor is a problem, not an improvement.”

Total Recall remake, is it that bad?

Do not see bitterness in the words of Paul Verhoeven. The filmmaker’s words are true and point to the main flaw of this modern version: the lack of perspective. 1990’s Total Recall worked, among other things, because of its weirdness—visually, but also in the tone of the story.

The remake is like any generic blockbuster, splurging on digital special effects – where the original relied on animatronics and make-up – and artistic choices in bad taste – like those glowing halos that invade the screen, like a Michael Bay movie.

The only takeaway from this remake? its headliner. Colin Farrell manages to get away with it, as does Kate Beckinsale, who takes over the role previously played by Sharon Stone and plays the corrosive sister evil.

Full recall, programmed memory available on Prime Video.