Remakes are a staple of the movie industry, but doing a remake of a classic film is a risky proposition. The mere thought of a remake could cause outcry and pessimism among diehard fans of the original.
The 1991 Point Break with Keanu Reeves and Patrick Swayze is one of my beloved films that reached cult status, but its remake from 2015 wasn't exactly a big hit among critics and moviegoers.
I try to be objective and give people chances, and I, on the other hand, was extremely impressed with the 2015 Point Break. So much so, I featured it in Ted's MOVIE OF THE WEEK. Screenwriter Kurt Wimmer made several creative changes from the original script and gave it a fresh take on the first Point Break.
The Total Recall remake from 2012 with Colin Farrell seems to have gone down the same path with its less than stellar success. Coincidentally, Kurt Wimmer also co-wrote this Total Recall. But unlike the original film with Arnold Schwarzenegger, the 2012 version doesn't take place on Mars, nor does it involve mutants and aliens. However, it does pay homage to the 1990 original movie. Additionally, director Len Wiseman reunited with Kate Beckinsale and Bill Nighy from the Underworld film series, and they complemented the already esteemed cast.
Interestingly, Total Recall: Extended Director's Cut (available on Vudu and titled Total Recall Unrated on Amazon Prime Video) runs 12 minutes longer, and it features a cameo appearance by Ethan Hawke for a crucial scene that's not in the theatrical version of the film. The extended version of the remake also has a slightly alternate ending.
The 1990 Total Recall with Schwarzenegger will always be a classic. Nonetheless, the 2012 remake has top-notch action and visuals, but not at the expense of exceptional direction and storytelling. Of all the films based on Philip K. Dick's literary works, the 2012 Total Recall, particularly the Extended Director's Cut, is my top favorite--even above Blade Runner and Minority Report.
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