“Total Recall” – Remaking Déjà Vu

           To speak candidly, the sincerity of the “Total Recall” remake is ominously questionable, balancing haphazardly on the fence between an ingenuously and brazenly poignant remake of a science fiction classic and an entirely new film that would be more aptly titled ‘Somewhat of a Remembrance.’  The candor in question is wrapped up in a brightly-packaged, enigmatic and visceral trailer that serves to both titillate and allude to the original film, but also to boldly exhibit a vivid onslaught of nuances, additions, and all-encompassing changes to the original film.  This plethora of apparent alterations inevitably begs the question; how large is the concept-gap between the original and the re-make?  The following question is multiple choice –

Will the 2012 Remake of “Total Recall” be:

A.) A Sincere Homage (and a great new update to the original science fiction classic)

B.) An Entirely New, Unique Film

C.) A Messy, CGI Orgy

Serving as an incredible, ground-breaking film based on conceptual advancement, mastery of special effects, and a zealous display of devout ‘action-chops,’ the original “Total Recall” film stands as a difficult piece to re-make.  The original film’s pronounced, dexterous and proficient utilization of advanced special effects (for it’s time) provokes the argument that the remake may rely on an abundance of special effects to ‘awe’ the audience, to ‘live up to the original,’ and of course to sell tickets. The grave mistake in remaking the film based entirely on advanced special effects (if that isn’t a mistake in of itself) is found in the fact that the original classic succeeded mainly through a stellar conceptual basis on which the special effects thrived.  Now - I’m fully aware that I continue to allude to a specific advanced concept, a laudable originality, and a blatant rejection of antiquity…so what exactly am I trying to say?  What exactly am I forgetting to mention?

OH YES – the author of the original short story: Philip K. Dick.

           

Philip K. Dick wrote and released the most conceptually advanced and mind-bending stories to date (arguably), eventually adapted into around 20 films as of today – including groundbreaking classics such as “Blade Runner,” “Total Recall” (1990), and “Screamers,” leading science fiction cinema and story-telling into a new era of ingenuity – bringing along with it more recent Philip K. Dick adaptations including “Minority Report” and “A Scanner Darkly.”

The concepts that these stories base themselves upon are innovative, and the subsequent film adaptations serve as callbacks to Dick’s originality – utilizing the original story and concept with the addition of cinematic nuance, visceral propulsion, and new levels of narrative complexity that contribute to a catalytic synergy of cinematic and conceptual advancement.  So, audiences are currently faced with a questionable remake of a classically unique adaptation based on a conceptually revolutionary story…can one even fathom that this remake will live up to the Dick Standard (yes, I said it) with three degrees of separation existing already between this remake and the original story?

The trailer for the new “Total Recall” film makes it abundantly clear that this remake will utilize a multitude of updates, nuances, and alterations to the story (like most remakes) that will present an entirely new film experience.  At the same time as these distinct changes may potentially provoke a disastrous downfall for the film (and audiences), these same refinements serve as potential signs of validity for the remake, considering that the original film was based on nuance. In fact, if the film was re-made with no alterations whatsoever, I wouldn’t consider that a feasible, recognizable, or honorable remake of the original sci-fi cult classic (Let’s quickly cutaway to the shot-by-shot remake of “Psycho,” followed by a scoff and a depressed moan).  More acutely phrased, the film’s success as a remake is based on the ingenuity of these cinematic nuances, distinctions, and alterations.  Some films have wildly succeeded in this arena, and many have fallen flat.

One such film that exemplifies the almost transcendental success of a Philip K. Dick adaptation, presenting audiences with a new level of mind-bending originality and altered story-telling, is “A Scanner Darkly.”  Written (Adaptation) and Directed by Richard Linkater and released in 2006, the film allows Philip K. Dick to palpably breathe through this adaptation.  “A Scanner Darkly,” filmed, re-created, and exhibited by Linklater with a sense of cinematic and narrative evolution, re-tells the original story with an absurdly affecting delivery, concise direction, and smart, witty dialogue.  In addition, the entire film is rotoscoped.  As Linklater’s second rotoscoped film (The first being “Waking Life”), the film masters the art-form that has rarely been seen since, delivering a unique experience to the viewers. Rotoscoping is an animation-technique used in moving film wherein artists trace over every single frame of the film, one-by-one, to create a hauntingly surreal effect that combines a seemingly animated film with actual captured footage.  The rotoscoping of “A Scanner Darkly” serves as a key element in its success as an adaptation, as it not only re-tells the story but continues to expand the repertoire and preconceived notions of the 'known' and the 'accepted.'  The film embraces the concept of forward movement, enhancement, and evolution of the medium through which the story is told, therefore creating a homage to Philip K. Dick as well as creating an original, stand-alone film.

All of the films that succeed in adapting Dick’s stories have consistently utilized unique, altered and rarely-seen methods of cinematic delivery, re-visiting the story alongside a sense of awe, disbelief, and distinct exhilaration.  Philip K. Dick’s initial story, on which “Total Recall” is based, provides a certain conundrum in of itself (but also a permeating reassurance). The original “Total Recall” succeeded…will the re-make?  Will this new film rely on special effects or, like the original, intertwine the special effects and action with the originality of the story? Will I be paying $14 for a CGI money-shot, or a legitimately unique film? Will this remake sacrifice conceptual development for ticket sales?  In other words; this film combines action, special effects, Hollywood movie stars, and consistent allusions to the original, classic film.  So, it boils down to this (which I wish I never had to ask): Did anybody even make the effort to create a great film? Mostly everything seems to be there in this remake, looking only at the trailer...but my nerves remind me that I should be on my proverbial toes of disappointment.  Having said that - hell yes “Total Recall,” hell yes Colin Farrell, hell yes...Philip K. Dick.