When it was announced there was to be a remake of Paul Verhoeven's hyper-violent sci-fi classic Total Recall, there was understandable debate over whether or not it was a good idea. Most rational people said "no" - correctly - but other, more optimistic types wondered if maybe the curse of the remake wouldn't extend to Len Wiseman's new version. Like all curses, the spell just had to break some time, and maybe Philip K. Dick's story would benefit from a modern retelling. Those hopeful folks were proven wrong, obviously, as Total Recall 2012 turned out to be as bad and pointless as all the sane people assumed it would be. It wasn't the fault of a high calibre cast either, which included Colin Farrell, Bill Nighy and Bryan Cranston. The film was almost starrier than it is in the theatrical cut, though: Ethan Hawke, one of the most underrated American actors in contemporary cinema, was originally cast to read out a lengthy monologue as the original incarnation of Colin Farrell's Douglas Quaid/Carl Hauser. He was cut from the theatrical release.
Lover of film, writer of words, pretentious beyond belief. Thinks Scorsese and Kubrick are the kings of cinema, but PT Anderson and David Fincher are the dashing young princes. Follow Brogan on twitter if you can take shameless self-promotion: @BroganMorris1
