RE: Let It Be A Lesson

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RE: Let It Be A Lesson - 29/8/2012 1:38:13 PM

porntrooper

Posts: 2516
Joined: 6/9/2006
From: Sheffield

quote:

ORIGINAL: DancingClown

quote:

The film contains around 30 uses of strong language. The BBFC's Guidelines at '15' state 'There may be frequent use of strong language (for example 'fuck')'. The Guidelines at '15' also state 'Violence may be strong but should not dwell on the infliction of pain or injury. The strongest gory images are unlikely to be acceptable'. There is some sight of bloody bullet holes, including a couple of bullet holes in foreheads, and some bloody bullet impacts as various characters are shot. However, little is seen in terms of injury detail and there is no dwelling on the infliction of pain or injury. In one scene, a man is stabbed in the neck with a large bolt, resulting in a brief gory image, after which a man is impaled through the head with a sharp pole. However, the images in question are relatively brief and the impact of the violence is reduced by the fantastical setting and by the comic one liners delivered by the main character.

Interesting. I'm still fairly surprised at this.

Me too. I haven't seen Arnie's Total Recall in ages, but I do remember that scene (Quad escaping from Cohagen's lab) being really OTT violent and bloody, particularly the pole through head kill. Also, "No dwelling on the infliction of pain or injury"? Really? That dude with the pole in his head has a short few shots as he falls over and he looks in pain and earlier the film features one of my all time pieces of careless collateral damage as some poor cunt on an escalator gets riddled with bullets and used as a meat shield by Arnie. I always thought the BBFC were pretty harsh on that kind of reckless violence. Still, 15 or 18 it remains an awesome film.

I'm off to see the remake at the weekend, am hopefull I'll get a little enjoyment from it. I'm not someone totally against remakes because I like the original, \i'll give it a fair shot and approach with an open mind*

*grabs mutant stomach baby hands and opens mind

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Post #: 31

RE: Let It Be A Lesson - 29/8/2012 1:49:10 PM

elab49

Posts: 52028
Joined: 1/10/2005

I think it's seen as a more comic book thing though - the further from 'real', the further from an 18 I think

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Post #: 32

RE: Let It Be A Lesson - 29/8/2012 3:56:18 PM

Shifty Bench

Posts: 14749
Joined: 30/9/2005

quote:

ORIGINAL: Cool Breeze

Well i just bought the new blu ray of Total Recall and it is rated 18 on the cover.

The UK Blu Ray is 18 too. This is because the film was only re-submitted to be reclassified for cinema viewing. It hasn't been reclassified for home 'video' viewing yet, it hasn't been since 2007.

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Post #: 33

RE: Let It Be A Lesson - 29/8/2012 6:57:41 PM

wesleyjordan

Posts: 8
Joined: 24/11/2006

Saw it today and I think 2 stars is a bit harsh. I would give it 3 stars, its really not that bad and the visuals are absolutely stunning. Farrell played the roll well although Beckinsale wasnt that great. The action was well paced through out the film and the length was just right. Good fun movie, just like the original was.

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Post #: 34

RE: Let It Be A Lesson - 29/8/2012 10:18:24 PM

talpacino

Posts: 3643
Joined: 15/11/2005
From: The Royal County

quote:

ORIGINAL: wesleyjordan

Saw it today and I think 2 stars is a bit harsh. I would give it 3 stars, its really not that bad and the visuals are absolutely stunning. Farrell played the roll well although Beckinsale wasnt that great. The action was well paced through out the film and the length was just right. Good fun movie, just like the original was.

Yeah I'd agree with this, decent enough and it did look great. Missing the fun of the Arnie film but it's worth a watch definitely.

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Post #: 35

RE: defo three star - 30/8/2012 10:31:51 AM

Sotto Voce

Posts: 758
Joined: 5/9/2009

Yeah, average. Nothung particularly good or bad about it.

Odd how Britain and Australia are the only habitable parts of the planet, yet almost everyone is American. No Australians at all in evidence. Even the word 'Australia' seemingly wiped from memory. You would have no idea the Colony was Australia if not for the map shown at the beginning.

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Post #: 36

RE: Let It Be A Lesson - 30/8/2012 12:54:15 PM

Cool Breeze

Posts: 1722
Joined: 9/11/2011
From: The Internet

quote:

ORIGINAL: wesleyjordan

Saw it today and I think 2 stars is a bit harsh. I would give it 3 stars, its really not that bad and the visuals are absolutely stunning. Farrell played the roll well although Beckinsale wasnt that great. The action was well paced through out the film and the length was just right. Good fun movie, just like the original was.

Yes but does Colin take cover from gunfire behind an innocent bystander and use his bullet ridden corpse as a human shield?

Does Colin take a big drill and skewer a dude in while shouting '' SCREWWWWWWWWW YOOOOOOOOOOUUUUUUU!!!!! '' ?

Does he drive a pole through a baddies head ?

No? Im not seeing it then.

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Post #: 37

RE: Let It Be A Lesson - 30/8/2012 1:03:38 PM

ripperman

Posts: 136
Joined: 3/10/2007

Saw it last night. I think its been very unfairly kicked around. Really solid sci fi flick with lots of great touches. I actually never felt compelled to keep the original in mind before going in, so when the in jokes and references come along it took me out of the original world it had setup which was a bit of a shame but it didn't spoil it too much. Oh and its absolutely stunning looking. Really. Give it a chance.

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Post #: 38

RE: Total Recall - 30/8/2012 6:29:57 PM

captainrentboy

Posts: 679
Joined: 16/3/2008
From: South Wales

Absolutely fantastic to look at, with CGI cityscapes and physical sets so detailed that I actually had a headache by the end of it all. (Trying to take everything in on an Imax screen seemed to fry my poor noggin

)
And other than a few winks and nods to the Arnie/Verhoeven one, it's not really similar enough to actually be compared to it in any way. It really is Total Recall in name only, so should just be judged on its own merits and faults.

And the biggest fault for me was the pacing. Faaar too many action sequences, with very little plot or story to tell in-between them. The characters simply moved from one place to another, talked for 2 minutes, and then another massive firefight/chase/fist fight would kick off.
For the first 40 mins I was all up for that, especially as the more inventive action sequences are in the first half, but then it just became a tad tedious. After an hour or so of that 'rinse and repeat' formula I was wishing for them all just to sit down and have a nice chat.

The cast all did what they had to do. Farrell did a good job as the lead guy and Beckinsale can obviously do this stuff in her sleep. Cranston's 10 minutes of screen time didn't really give him long enough to make much of an impression.

If all you want is a continuous stream of very loud action sequences, you'll probably love it.
But like Transformers 2&3, sometimes pretty explosions just aren't enough to keep me interested.

3(just)/5

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Post #: 39

Erm, I enjoyed it. - 31/8/2012 12:17:59 AM

TheMightyBlackout

Posts: 99
Joined: 28/4/2012
From: Oxford, UK

The most difficult thing about it is separating your brain from your own memories of the original. I enjoyed it, make of that what you will. On a technical level, it's head and shoulders above its predecessor. And Farrell acts better than Schwarzenegger (there, I said it).

It looks gorgeous, and in and of itself it's a solid SciFi/Action/Thriller. It's just a shame it lets itself down in the third act by turning into a chase-movie.

Still, better than I was expecting. Better than it has any right to be.

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Post #: 40

RE: IGNORE the original - 31/8/2012 9:31:27 AM

Wild about Wilder

Posts: 1508
Joined: 9/4/2010
From: Hertfordshire

Ok I suppose for what it was a rather watered down semi-remake with bits nicked of Bladerunner, Star Wars & Judge Dredd as well as the many lost memory chase movies that have gone in the past.
Could've done with more of the 2 female stars going 1 on 1.
BUT! on the whole a ok 3/5 (barely) mainly for the always watchable & often underused Cranston.

< Message edited by Wild about Wilder -- 31/8/2012 9:32:08 AM >

Post #: 41

RE: IGNORE the original - 1/9/2012 4:09:01 AM

Phubbs

Posts: 658
Joined: 3/4/2012

Total Recall (2012)

Well I think Scott may have a hard time trying to impress us with 'Blade Runner 2' if he goes ahead with it. Seeing as this film has pretty much made the perfect interpretation of what a bleak futuristic heavily Asian populated/influenced city will look like by today's standards.

That is probably the only plus point about this new remake that I can give, the visuals. The rain soaked, dark, grimy, oily mechanical looking distopian Earth cities of the future are rendered quite beautifully. Both the 'the United Federation of Britain' and 'the Colony' look fantastic as you sweep across them during the film, not that I was surprised by this of course, it was inevitable that this element would be the films biggest asset.

This old 1990 version of 'Recall' was a loose adaptation of the Dick story, this new version is an even looser version ejecting almost all of the original material. There's no problem using some artistic license sure but why completely change everything?. If you do that's fine but then at least call the film something else, make it an original film stating influences, don't call it a remake/adaptation when its vastly different.

So the plot has almost completely nothing to do with the original Dick story, problem one. Problem two is the fact there isn't really anything new in this film we haven't seen already. You could almost say this film is 'I, Robot 2' or a mix of that film and a lot of 'Minority Report'. Yes the film looks sumptuous but it is your average vision of the future really, hover cars, hover trains, lots of holograms and lots of robots. The only new futuristic element I liked was the 'hand phone' and 'the fall' despite that concept being really quite unworkable in reality (I think!).

Touches on the old Verhoeven classic here and there, some small some in your face (three tits much!).� �A short plump ugly woman with a bad looking red wig saying she's staying in the 'UFB' for two weeks. This time her head doesn't come off to reveal 'Quaid' which I'm sure your suppose to think hehe. The new version for this trick is neat but not nearly as fun, you could say the same for the whole film really.

Another issue I had was the inclusion of a big robot force. I didn't really like this direction as it touches way too much on previous films as I've mentioned already. I did also get the feeling robots were used so they could have lots of gun battle sequences but without having to show lots of blood and people getting shot. I'm not saying that kind of stuff equals a good film but the 1990 version is famed for its over the top bullet squibs and violence and in retrospect it makes this new film seem very childish (not to mention the old toy merchandise side of it these days).

As for cast its lackluster if you ask me. Farrell does a good job as 'Quaid' yes, you don't need huge muscles to make a film of course but the inclusion of Beckinsale was a mistake though. She does her whole 'Underworld' thing and not much else really plus you know she's in this simply because her husband is directing. The other bad choice was Cranston as 'Cohaagen' who just wasn't threatening enough in any way. He wasn't necessarily bad but he just didn't really give off much of an evil tyrant persona, in no way did he come across as a villain, just a regular futuristic suit.

This film isn't a bad effort I must admit, its not a frame by frame remake which is good but as with many films these days its too late to make an impact, been here and done it. The 1990 version was huge because it was original and boasted awesome violence and that classic Verhoeven black political satire. This looks crisp and impressive but simply can't muster the same punch with either action or cast.
On a final note the 1990 version never really did give away whether it was a dream or not. The fade to white at the end is the only clue to it possibly being a dream. This new film doesn't seem to try for that mystery a tall, its all for one direction.

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Post #: 42

RE: IGNORE the original - 1/9/2012 10:13:00 PM

Dr Lenera

Posts: 3471
Joined: 19/10/2005

Feeling like the original movie with most of the fun ripped out of it, this is certainly action-packed and pacy but we've all seen this kind of drab future too many times before and it all seems a little pointless. Could have been worse though.
5/10

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Post #: 43

RE: Let It Be A Lesson - 4/9/2012 9:26:36 AM

cherylsturgill

Posts: 8
Joined: 4/9/2012

Through the trailer I find this movie interesting but after watching it it was just fine. I read a lot of reviews about it and through those I already know that it is not that good but still curiosity strike and I go watched it :D

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Post #: 44

RE: Let It Be A Lesson - 4/9/2012 12:00:51 PM

paulyboy

Posts: 2282
Joined: 30/9/2005

Sweeping aside the original (and the book it was based on) for a second and judging this purely on it's own terms, there's a lot to enjoy.

By the last 20 minutes or so it's run out of steam, but up until that point it's an effective chase thriller with some nice performances and several worthy set-pieces. It's absolutely gob-smackingly gorgeous to boot, kudos to Wiseman and his team, the world they've built here is nothing short of stunning at times.

Oh and Kate Beckinsale looks amazing throughout the entire film, seriously, amazing!

3/5

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Post #: 45

RE: Let It Be A Lesson - 4/9/2012 11:20:08 PM

Cool Breeze

Posts: 1722
Joined: 9/11/2011
From: The Internet

quote:

ORIGINAL: paulyboy

Sweeping aside the original (and the book it was based on) for a second and judging this purely on it's own terms, there's a lot to enjoy.

By the last 20 minutes or so it's run out of steam, but up until that point it's an effective chase thriller with some nice performances and several worthy set-pieces. It's absolutely gob-smackingly gorgeous to boot, kudos to Wiseman and his team, the world they've built here is nothing short of stunning at times.

Oh and Kate Beckinsale looks amazing throughout the entire film, seriously, amazing!

3/5

Yes, but does it have Arnie ripping off a bad dudes arms with an elevator and shoving a pipe through a goons head?

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Post #: 46

RE: Let It Be A Lesson - 5/9/2012 5:15:27 AM

Phubbs

Posts: 658
Joined: 3/4/2012

No you have a copy of the arm ripping scene but instead of a human its a lame ass robot policeman/sentry guy. So no blood, no screams, no witty dialog from the hero. There's nothing wrong with it as such but like the rest of the film its not as fun as the original.

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Post #: 47

RE: Let It Be A Lesson - 5/9/2012 11:40:08 AM

MonsterCat

Posts: 6415
Joined: 24/3/2011
From: St. Albans, Hertfordshire

My interest level in this flick has risen by a very small percentage, but I will still probably wait for the DVD. Reviews for it this side of America have been OK.

Also: Kermode gave it points for giving the women characters more interesting things to do, so there's that.

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Post #: 48

RE: Let It Be A Lesson - 5/9/2012 1:51:50 PM

Cool Breeze

Posts: 1722
Joined: 9/11/2011
From: The Internet

quote:

ORIGINAL: MonsterCat

My interest level in this flick has risen by a very small percentage, but I will still probably wait for the DVD. Reviews for it this side of America have been OK.

Also: Kermode gave it points for giving the women characters more interesting things to do, so there's that.

The women in the film are there to " Be respectful, compliant, and appreciative...the way a woman should be ".

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Post #: 49

RE: Let It Be A Lesson - 6/9/2012 4:07:23 PM

Beno

Posts: 8078
Joined: 15/2/2007
From: Sheffield

Just got back from this and ...... well!!..... thats 2 hours of my life i wont get back. I even forked out �20.40p for two IMAX tickets and seriously felt like asking for a refund.
There are two lines of dialogue near the end of the movie along the lines of - Farrel "Jesus Christ"! to which Biel replys "I know, i dont belive it".......

.......... sums it up completely

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Post #: 50

RE: Better than this Review Suggests - 10/9/2012 11:26:58 PM

jackcarter

Posts: 1740
Joined: 12/1/2006

finally seen it yes as stated many times its basically TR with a heavy Blade Runner/Minority Report/iRobot/5th Element/Dredd95/Coruscant makeover - esp BR - as M Kermode said theres one scene where Farell almost recreates the famous BR silhouette, (also seemed to be Cloud City like interiors at one point near the end)

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Post #: 51

RE: Total Recall - 27/9/2012 12:34:08 PM

Kazuya

Posts: 7953
Joined: 23/8/2006
From: The Eighth Dimension c/o Buckaroo Banzai

Well, well. They delivered a toothless, clunky piece of shit that isn't fit to lick the boots of the original smash. Who'd have thunk it? One star for Beckinsale's colossal attractiveness.

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Post #: 52

RE: Total Recall - 26/12/2012 4:05:44 PM

UTB

Posts: 9047
Joined: 30/9/2005

I rather enjoyed this. More so than I did Wiseman's Die Hard.

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Post #: 53

RE: Total Recall - 27/12/2012 1:40:59 PM

Cool Breeze

Posts: 1722
Joined: 9/11/2011
From: The Internet

Finally watched this and its even worse than i feared.Completely bland, forgettable, and Farrell is as wooden as ever.Some decent cgi and Beckinsales arse are the only positive aspects of it.

Avoid this and watch the original instead.

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Post #: 54

RE: Total Recall - 28/12/2012 11:55:39 PM

MonsterCat

Posts: 6415
Joined: 24/3/2011
From: St. Albans, Hertfordshire

quote:

ORIGINAL: Cool Breeze

Avoid this and watch the original instead.

No, instead I'm going to watch the remake as an act of defiance against you, cos, y'know, I'm a rebel and shit.

Fascist.

< Message edited by MonsterCat -- 28/12/2012 11:58:02 PM >

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Post #: 55

RE: Total Recall - 29/12/2012 4:14:20 PM

Cool Breeze

Posts: 1722
Joined: 9/11/2011
From: The Internet

quote:

ORIGINAL: MonsterCat

quote:

ORIGINAL: Cool Breeze

Avoid this and watch the original instead.

No, instead I'm going to watch the remake as an act of defiance against you, cos, y'know, I'm a rebel and shit.

Fascist.

Reported to mods.

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Post #: 56

RE: Total Recall - 29/12/2012 4:19:57 PM

elab49

Posts: 52028
Joined: 1/10/2005

Mods however seem to have a better sense of humour

And in passing CB, could you start using the report button? It would work better for you anyway as the individual Mod you choose might not be around and it keeps it on record better than PMs.

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Post #: 57

RE: Total Recall - 29/12/2012 4:24:48 PM

Cool Breeze

Posts: 1722
Joined: 9/11/2011
From: The Internet

quote:

ORIGINAL: elab49

Mods however seem to have a better sense of humour

And in passing CB, could you start using the report button? It would work better for you anyway as the individual Mod you choose might not be around and it keeps it on record better than PMs.

Pardon me for not finding being called a fascist very funny ( The fact that Monstercat did not use a wink smiley meant that he wasnt joking), especially by someone who regularly trolls this forum making derogatary comments about people when they have different opinions of there own.

In passing,elab49, could you actually do your job and mod the forum? the fact that The duck returns was able to get away with ruining the TDKR thread for as long as he had was ridiculous.

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Post #: 58

RE: Total Recall - 29/12/2012 4:29:53 PM

elab49

Posts: 52028
Joined: 1/10/2005

Ah but you see CB, unlike some we're not fascists

- we take democrat decisions as a group. And as this isn't actually a 'job'. not everyone is around 24/7.

I'm sure some on this board would be rather glad unilateral decisions can't be taken...

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Post #: 59

RE: Total Recall - 29/12/2012 4:31:57 PM

Cool Breeze

Posts: 1722
Joined: 9/11/2011
From: The Internet

quote:

ORIGINAL: elab49

Ah but you see CB, unlike some we're not fascists - we take democrat decisions as a group. And as this isn't actually a 'job'. not everyone is around 24/7.

I'm sure some on this board would be rather glad unilateral decisions can't be taken...

Just the sort of reply id expect from a supposed mod who responds like a troll.I will be taking this further.

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Post #: 60