Total Recall (1990) Breakdown | Ending Explained, Easter Eggs, Hidden Details & Things You Missed

Total Recall (1990) Breakdown | Ending Explained, Easter Eggs, Hidden Details & Things You Missed. In this video, we break down the all-time classic Total Recall. Starring Arnold Schwarzenegger as Douglas Quaid/Carl Hauser this futuristic mind-bender set on Mars, will have you wondering if it was all a dream or actually happened. We take deep dive into the movie pointing out all the easter eggs, trivia and behind-the-scenes information, including hidden details and things you might have missed, let's get into it!
#TotalRecall #TotalRecallEndingExplained #TotalRecallMovieBreakdown #ClassicMovieBreakdown #arnoldschwarzenegger #SharonStone #Mars #Rekall #DouglasQuaid #CarlHauser #WasItADream #SecretAgent #BlueSkiesOnMars #MovieBreakdown #EasterEggs #EndingExplained #HiddenDetails #thingsyoumissed
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Alright so Total Recall was THE go-to 90’s sci-fi action movie from my childhood. As someone who grew up with only 4 channels, well we got a 5th in like 1997, but that’s neither here nor there. Catching this for the first time while staying at my grandparents was a treat. Sure I had watched Arnie in Predator and Terminator 2 by this time, but after becoming a HUGE star wars fan when the original trilogy had it’s re-release, Total Recall felt like Star Wars meets the more adult action movies from Schwarzenegger. And there was a topless 3 tittied woman, so 10 year old Jared, you know, liked this one.
But it was always one I never fully understood, like the more I thought about the series of events and ending, the more it confused me. Was Quaid real? Was Hauser real? Did Benny actually have 5 kids and just dodged child support? Either way, we’re diving into this 90’s gem, because rewatching it really allowed me to pick up on all of the foreshadowing just thrown in your face, but also the technical behind the scenes side of things was honestly groundbreaking for the time. So join me, grab a space suit and ** Get your ass to mars**
Kicking things off, the opening scene on the red surface of Mars captures that wonder of an epic sci-fi adventure, and the sheer horror of space once Quaid’s mask breaks on the rock. Idk about you, but this scared the bejesus outta me as a kid. Sure, we now know this isn’t how the vacuum of space actually works, but man the practical effects of Quaid’s eyes and tongue swelling were so well done.
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[@heavyspoilers]

Check out our breakdown of Unbreakable here - kzbin.info/www/bejne/l3fZqoqMncd7qKs

[@look4lec]

J-rod, are you the writer of the total recall episode and presenter? You should get a credit at the end! Don't be too greedy though or Paul will get jealous!

[@PapiBocaChula]

What the Hell is wrong with you Jared. You busting out a Theory Time. And No Voice over by Paul. Theory Time. Damn all you had to do was insert Audio when Editing? Missed Opportunity

[@rafasr0]

Luc Besson’s Fifth Element video when? Hehe

[@myrtistaylor5759]

Robocop, total recall and starship troopers are in the same universe. Not die hard 😂

[@danielwilliamson6180]

I bet you came from England and moved to America. England did have only 4 channels until 1997. Total Recall premiered for the first time on British television in 1993.

[@michaelwilliamson7590]

Total Recall was one of the best action, adventure, Spy, sci-fi, head trip movies ever made. Arnold plays the heck out of this role. And just can't be beat.

[@jimberlygridder183]

What about Commando?

[@corporatecat230]

As a 32 year old man, it pained me that I had never seen total recall or running man, so I watched both in one night last week. I've seen all of his other films but never got around to these two. Arnold was such a G in his prime

[@XxLew]

Running man, the original hunger games

[@tyrant7583]

Corporatecat230 I'm 42 and it wouldn't surprise me you haven't seen these 2 films. I first saw these movies when I was around age 10. So you wasn't even born when they was first released.

[@crimsonffire]

Your parents have failed you, you poor thing, my nephews and daughter grew up with gremlins flight of the navigator total recall ect even found the 89 teenage mutant ninja turtles film for them to watch oh and 80s/90s cartoons they loved them. Check out Logans run really good Sci fi film even if it's old . Swear they got the idea for tinder off that lol if you watch it. You'll know exactly what I'm talking about when you see it. Demolition man is another great 90s one

[@jennyanydots2389]

As a 32 year old boy what size jean shorts are you wearing?

[@corporatecat230]

@@tyrant7583 Yes but I still grew up with VHS's. I've seen every single Arnold movie, those two just fell by the waistside. As a cinophile, you can't watch all movies.

[@oriondark9249]

People are well aware of some of Arnold's most iconic one liners. "I'll be back" "Get to the chopper!" I think there's one that people have slept on. "Give these people AIR! 😂😂😂

[@darthwhit]

Melina is seen in his dream as well as being described by his wife prior to him visiting Recall. I was so perplexed by whether it was a dream or not that I read the book adapted by Piers Anthony. It leans a lot more towards it being real. Its very similar to the movie but goes into more detail about the aliens plot line.

[@Conserpov]

Hauser and Cohaagen would know how she looks like and have her surveillance photos too, as well as reactor. And it was revealed that Cohaagen controls Rekall - so the whole thing was planned, implanted and staged.

[@seanylewl]

Quaid dreams of the girl, then describes her to Rekall and they put her in the dream. Of course she is going to look like her, he tells them exactly what the basic elements of her are and then his mind fills in the rest. His wife looks at him the way she does because she knows that he is dreaming about a different life to the one they have, and most likely suspects he will cheat on her.

[@Ugly_German_Truths]

The secret is: the people insisitng "it's clearly just in his head" are the same that deny "Die Hard is a Christmas Movie" or hate Pineapple on Pizza... we will one day move evolutionary past these joykills ;)

[@MartinSimpson-kf6xf]

Excellent book.

[@MartinSimpson-kf6xf]

@@Ugly_German_Truths its was real, Die Hard wasn't a Christmas movie and pineapple pizza is great.

[@thespicemelange.1]

I was 10 when this movie came out. My parents would not allow me to go see it. Later that year we went to Disney world and stayed in a hotel in Kissimmee and me and my brother got to have our own room and we were allowed to order any movies we wanted to watch and lo and behold Total Recall was on that list. Needless to say I couldn't order it fast enough. That's was the greatest time I ever had on vacation was watching that with my brother while we ate food from the snack bar. God I miss having times like that with my little brother.

[@AverageJoe483]

I love stories like this !

[@kenanacampora]

You have good RECALL. 😊

[@leefr76]

You missed an important point, Quaid didn’t just shoot Edgemoor, he shot because of the bead of sweat, which shouldn’t have occurred if Edgemoor was still in Recall. Hence, Quaid was not dreaming. Also, the soundtrack to this film is fantastic.

[@codd84]

Paul Vehooven has said in an interview that IT WAS a dream! And that he gets lobotomised after. He did not make it clear, in my opinion. Which makes it work either way, depending on the viewer. I have seen this movie a ton of times and I always thought is was real. But after knowing it was a dream and spotting the couple of clues ( which are blink and miss them..) I am sad to say that I had got it wrong all these years. Great movie none the less.

[@leefr76]

@@codd84 if Sharon Stone was my real wife in 1990, I wouldn’t carry on about going to Mars, I would be quite happy at home!

[@DescartesStrollsIntoAPub]

I brought up the sweat bead too, but I still feel it was all a part of the dream to further sell it to Quaid. I think the threat of lobotomy is also just to up the stakes of the adventure and if you pay attention to what the tech says in the beginning all of this was a part of the deal.

[@brianstrutter1501]

​@@codd84 - i always thought it was real as well but questioned the photos at Rekall because they didn't make sense for it to be real. I guess i just wanted it to be real, lol

[@brianstrutter1501]

​@@leefr76 - good point. Why would some hot major babe be married to a construction worker? And some of her facial expressions i question before Quaid even goes to Rekall

[@beckythompson4538]

This movie is so much deeper than I would have thought. I watched it when I was younger and promptly categorized it as a good summer blockbuster. I’ve seen it on TV a couple times since but now I need to go back with all the knowledge you just dropped and experience it again… for the first time!

[@squeezybob84]

I think this movie is so well done its entirely upto the audience to make up their own mind eitherway. Masterpiece.

[@dylanwillyams]

nah it was a dream. when he goes into recall and they are setting up his ego trip, the guy in the background exclaims " oh wow the sky is blue on mars" or something to that effect of a blue sky. what happens at the end of the movie? sky turns blue. hes in a dream.

[@travishultine3072]

@@dylanwillyams The fun thing about the movie is that the director said that when they we're putting the movie together, they wanted both possibilities (dream or reality) to be true at the same time. With both hints that it could be real, and hints that it could be fake present in the movie

[@mdrakic]

Total Recall, The Running Man, Terminator (1&2), Predator,... Legendary movies of my childhood. They simply don't make them like that any more 🥺

[@Dutch1954]

Robocop

[@markshaw270]

​@@Dutch1954 *I'D BUY THAT FOR A DOLLOR* 😛

[@sundaypro]

The beauty and the beast

[@godzilla12325]

Raw deal is a classic to.

[@DJ-rt4zx]

Yeah. I look for movies like that all the time. And I cant find any at all.

[@Elementra31]

I have a simple theory as to why it might all be real: the cutaways. Typically in dreams, the protagonist is present in each situation or at least near by to perceive said situation. But in here, there are scenes where Quaid isn’t present but the action goes on. How would this be happening if he was dreaming?

[@Imperial_Cosmonaut]

Exactly

[@amandahugginkiss55]

I think the cutaways were only created for us, the viewer.. but who knows. I think it's all in his head, since it's exactly what he paid for!

[@thomasedward1319]

Yes ,that's what I was thinking

[@fitnessabcvideo]

Movie logic doesn't always work so we are always left with "why the cut aways if it's a dream" I think it's just a loophole. However I always bring it back to it's not wether it's real or not but what is it about humans desires and what would we do to live our dreams, it's even more depressing,. The concept are we ever I control of our decisions or are we living a dream, are we figments of a more powerful beings dreams, ala Azzatoth the ancient cosmical ancient God.

[@428lonewolf]

This is why I feel that its real. The parts without Quaid wouldn't happen.

[@markant9534]

Total Recall was anticipated to be one of the year's most successful films. On its release, the film earned approximately $261.4 million worldwide, making it the fifth-highest-grossing film of the year. Its critical reception was mixed, with reviewers praising its themes of identity and questioning reality, but criticizing content perceived as vulgar and violent. The practical special effects were well received, earning the film an Academy Award, and the score by Jerry Goldsmith has been praised as one of his best works.

[@intuitivehomebrew3199]

I am not convinced that the whole thing is a dream. A few things that back that up is his wife's concern when he talks about the dark haired woman before going to recall, his construction worker buddy being suspicious of his desire to try out the dream vacation, and the doctor coming in to convince him that none of it is real. The bead of sweat and nervousness of quaid taking the bait is what did it for me. However, the ending is a bit too good to be true though. Heck... now that I'm typing it out... maybe it might be a dream? Either way, still one of the best scifi movies of all time and a personal favorite. It effected me so much as a kid that I still get regular dreams to this day about being in the total recall world and get worried that my wife is secretly my handler preventing me from remembering my secret spy life. 🤨 Great video!!!

[@fbomb7184]

You completely left out perhaps the strongest argument that Quaid was in real life. When the Dr guy who was sent from Recall began to explain the adverse consequences of killing him and not taking the pill, Quaid observed not only a tone of panic but also a bead of sweat on his brow. If the doctor was just a program, why would he exhibit human responses to stress? This is what convinced Quaid and the audience that he was actually living these events.

[@Tiger4ever89]

what if Quaid was desperetly looking for something real? i remember one famous quote from Matrix when Morpheus said ''We never free a mind once it's reached a certain age. It's dangerous. The mind has trouble letting go.'' so by that definition.. Quaid was already too attached to the dream

[@parteibonza]

The mind plays tricks on you.....and I think it was another instance of the memory implant creating that bead of sweat and giving Quaid confirmation that he was truly a clever agent. I still think it was all a memory implant.

[@castortroy1727]

Quaid's psychological subconscious fabricated the bead of sweat dripping from Dr. Edgmar's forehead to give Quaid a reason to believe Dr. Edgmar was lying so he could shoot Dr. Edgmar, killing Dr. Edgmar in Quaid's mind and remain trapped in his fantasy ego trip and false memory implanted adventure forever. Quaid didn't wanna return to reality in truth.

[@castortroy1727]

The said panicked tone was frustration by Dr. Edgmar trying to pull Quaid back into reality from his chemically induced psychological fantasy ego trip and implanted dream. Imo it is a dream gone wrong at Rekall in reality on Earth from the beginning after Quaid is put under for the false memory implant procedure at Rekall on Earth onwards. The fact that everything Bob McClane said would happen at Rekall happened may have been coincidence but the fact that literally everything Dr. Edgmar predicted and foreshadowed would happen to Quaid in his false memory implant procedure sabotaged dream experience did in fact happen accurately and in order, wasn't just coincidence too. Quaid was dreaming of Melina and Mars before the Rekall Center operation because Douglas Quaid was unhappy, bored and dissatisfied with his real life on Earth as a typical average man and construction worker married to a beautiful, athletic, blonde trophy wife, Lori, and secretly always fantasized being something larger than life itself, a super secret Martian government agent and spy in his scenario, living on Mars and fantasized being with a sleazy, athletic, brunette woman vs his blonde trophy wife in reality on Earth, which Quaid's subconscious personified as Melina in his dreams of Mars and Quaid suffocating to death symbolized Quaid feeling suffocated by his life and reality on Earth he needed to escape from. The fade to white ending symbolized Quaid waking up from his lobotomy on Earth in reality. Lori, as Quaid's wife, and Harry, Quaid's best friend and co-worker on his construction job, acted suspicious and strange before Quaid went to Rekall when Quaid mentioned going to Rekall for the false memory implants because Lori and Harry had suspicions that Quaid went to Rekall before and doesn't remember. Hence their concerned, shady, uncomfortable behavior and attitude towards Quaid.

[@KreeptOut]

... Wouldn't the dream have ended at the moment of Edgemar's death? I mean, being lobotomized would have ended it all at that point.

[@drewishaf]

I remember watching this with my dad as a kid. Every time I think about my dad and I growing up, revolved around watching all these 80s/90s action films and nobody was more iconic than Arnold Schwarzenegger. There's just a lot of really fond, nostalgia memories I have from that time, regardless of how good (or not) the movies actually are.

[@user-gl2wh8eq1c]

I concur. Watched allot of them with my dad as well.

[@cartersmom0629]

I watched all of his movies with my dad too.

[@gutshotgreaser]

I just "recalled" watching T2 with my dad at the cinema too. Thanks for bringing back that old memory.

[@bruhdon4748]

Likewise, I thank my dad massively for my taste in movies

[@bruhdon4748]

@@gutshotgreaserlucky guy

[@zedorda1337]

I believe this version of the movie is intended to present both possibilities of being real or a dream as equally as they could. For me it is not a dream because of several small details that seriously refute it being a dream. The bead of sweat, the sudden personality change at Rekall about his cover being blown, etc.

[@Imperial_Cosmonaut]

Don't forget Lori; your wife wouldn't suddenly try to kill you after you've refused a sedative...she said she was an avatar there to help guide him out of a dream...

[@smaacckk1094]

​@Imperial_Cosmonaut that's true, but also she only reacted after he shot the doctor, which I could see as Doug's mind falling back into the dream and taking back control of events, I'm watching it rn as I type this and the movie so perfectly balances both sides that's it's making my head hurt lol. that being said I think I'm leaning slightly towards it being real

[@doncarlodivargas5497]

How can an average construction worker have such a beutiful wife? A woman like that had never married someone that couldn't afford her, so it is definitely a dream

[@smaacckk1094]

@@doncarlodivargas5497 that's bleak

[@doncarlodivargas5497]

@@smaacckk1094 - yes, i am terribly sorry, reality is pretty bleak, most unfortunately i consider that little detail as a 100% sure proof of my claim

[@xaero5150]

A few counterpoints. Quaid, or Howser, did not go to recall until AFTER he dreamt of Milena. The dream was the reason he went. He initially wanted to go to mars, but was discouraged by those around him. Next, all the details for his secret agent trip were done while he was in the chair. A chair that was designed to give him what he wanted. It is extremely likely that he was starting to remember his old life, and the chair was pulling that information from his subconscious to be used in his fantasy. That "Blue skies on mars, never seen that before" comment was telling, as his subconscious was creating that for use in the agent trip. Everyone else would not imagine that, hence never seen before. He states that the reactor creates air, making it more likely than not that he had been to the alien structure, so again, the machine would integrate that desire into his memory implant. Nothing would break the immersion faster than having something the person knows show up wrong in an implanted memory. As a programmed double cross to fool mutants, it was a good plan. Hence why Cohagen sends all the help. If he was an elite agent for Cohagen, and his memory implant was filing, that would explain the sudden change to combat capable. Finally, implanted safety memories do not sweat. Or look visibly scared. And the explanation was stupid. He shoots the fat doctor, and the fat doctor comes right back and explains that he isn't in the real world. There is no reason they can't implant him twice.

[@pato6738]

Love how this comment has no replies since nobody can disprove this comment. You totally got the movie king

[@user-zh5kg2op4h]

That mind reading theory is kinda stretched. Also, he had to be fully in machine to make it work. About the fat doctor-it's strange that Rekoll would send someone unfamiliar and untrusty. It would make more sense to send doctor which he talked to, especially if death means nothing. Also, the following action probably haven't give a space for the next visit.

[@xaero5150]

@@user-zh5kg2op4h The machine would absolutely have to be able to "read your mind" or the whole thing wouldn't work. I mean you could go on a fake family vacation where they substituted random people for your family, but that wouldn't bring much value. Again, the machine needs to know what you know in order to tailor the experience. The idea that a machine could only write memories, but not read them is more of a stretch.

[@user-zh5kg2op4h]

@@xaero5150 My point was, that he wasn't fully connected to the machine at the moment, and it's essential to read mind.

[@xaero5150]

@@DeadManWalking-ym1oo Except we know that the machine CAN copy a persons memories, and would have to. As an example, he dreamt of milena BEFORE going to recall, it was the reason he went, and we see on the machine a picture of a person he shouldn't have known. The entire premise is based on erasing Howser, implanting Quid, and when the mission is over erasing Quaid and reimplanting Howser. More than that, he would not have known his "wife", or his apartment, or his history, or his job without the implant of Quaid. If you suddenly forgot how to do your job, or what your wife looked like, or where you worked, or anything about your life beyond vague concepts, you would get pretty suspicious, especially given that the technology exists to erase and implant memories. It would probably be more accurate to say "suppress" memories as one of the techs refers to a "memory cap". Now the way the brain actually works is pretty interesting, and believe it or not we have memory alteration machines now. As of right now they can only see the location of a memory(or in some cases a trigger point for seizures) and target the area for irradiation, erasing the memory or short circuiting the area responsible for the seizures. Cutting edge stuff. It is not inconceivable that in 50 years we could save and playback memories, assuming we discover the translation matrix and everyone is similar enough to have widespread deployment of the technology. If every brain speaks a different language, then the tech is impossible to be used in a widespread manner. Finding the person talking in a quiet room is easy, translating what he is saying can be hard.

[@TheRenoReviews]

I love this movie, and I'm 100% happy to leave it as "could be either"

[@will_da_man_]

This is honestly such a perfect movie and I feel like, despite it bieng very well known and recognised for bieng so great, it's still underrated. Such a clever film, with an AMAZING script.

[@c.f.pedraza4057]

And premiered the teaser for Terminator 2 Judgment Day.

[@brianstrutter1501]

Oh yes totally agree. One of my all time favorite movies

[@ravinraven6913]

its old but definitely not under rated, except by kids who can't watch something with such bad video. I say this liking the movie, but its like most people from my generation can't watch black and whites or movies without sound. It was good for the generation it was created for. The fact that it has staying power only means its due to our sci fi fascination now. Once we go to space, we won't be too interested in space movies, as that will be just another location. So it will be forgotten in 30 years, and I mean that loosely forgotten.

[@chief3619]

An absolute classic I first saw in my childhood and will still watch to this day. I wish they still made movies like this.

[@lucisferre6361]

I've always thought that the events we see transpire are actual reality. My reasoning is simple. Despite there being enough evidence to build a solid argument from either opposing perspective, what becomes the decisive factor for me is that when Quaide goes to recall, he never actually goes through their memory implant process. They are quite explicit on this point.

[@jasonkesser]

But….that is said once he’s ’inside the dream’, and could just be creating the plot of his dream.’ Pretty brutal as far as vacations go, but he did pick the Spy

[@lucisferre6361]

@@jasonkesser Indeed.

[@mike4999]

By far one of the best 90's movies made and it stands the test of time

[@TONEDEAFSOUND]

i watched it for the first time today it was as insane

[@sirbiscuit6403]

I've always leaned more towards it being reality and not a dream. I think for me it's the scene when he awakens going nuts shouting "you blew my cover". The doctors sedate him and Mclane says he's just living out the secret agent role, but she says its impossible because they haven't implanted yet. During this exhange between the doctors and mclane, Quaid is unconscious so if it is his own dream he doesn't benefit from this exchange between them and it's never brought up again. My theory is (and probably a weak one 😆) is that Quaid regained his memory as Houser during that outburst. But then they wiped his memory of ever going to recall that day which in turn wiped his Houser memory, then dumped into a taxi. So why would that be in his dream if he can't remember that happening. For the rest of the film he never recalls being Houser again, but Cohegen can't take the risk if his memories return. Also the look Harry gives Quaid at the construction site, it's not a look of concern for his "friend" being lobotomized if he goes to rekall but more of a look of 'sh*t if he goes to recall memories might come back'. I think its reality. Great review btw 👌

[@mk-ultramags1107]

The idea of him seeing Melina on the Rekall computer is also very debatable as well. He's falling asleep when that happens, his POV was blurry etc. We already know he dreams of her every night which is pre-rekall. So that theory doesn't hold up either.

[@bobbyhempel1513]

Exactly

[@markrothenbuhler6232]

All that, plus the third person scenes where Arnold isn't present. How would someone dream up transitions scenes he's not even in? Leaning more towards reality.

[@mk-ultramags1107]

@@markrothenbuhler6232 I think the main theme of the film is how the outcome is truly meant to be as ambiguous as possible. How would we even know what's real?? I lean towards reality myself but everytime i see the ending, I come back to the simple fact we wouldn't know anyways. It's real to Quaid/Houser. Edit: Verhoven did his best to carry on Dicks work by keeping that ambiguity and the film is better because of it

[@eljay3390]

It was a dream.. The director later confirmed the white light at the end was Quaid being lobotomized, or suffering irreversible brain damage

[@GymAndSun]

Great breakdown. My dad let us rent this as a kid even though I was way too young lol and remember seeing the trailer for T2 on the VHS and us being so hyped. Nostalgia

[@pillepolle3122]

best action sci fi movie ever. Does not take itself too seriously and is just full of great one liners.

[@56postoffice]

This, for me, was Arnold's first truly cerebral film. The first where you actually have to pay attention. Smart script, brilliant effects and iconic characters. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

[@joetroutt7425]

It seems that every time I have watched that movie I learn something more that I didn't realize previously. I have seen that movie at least 20 times. I think I have exhausted all the information I can get out of it. I love movies that leaves you with an uncertainty of what the ending actually is. Another great movie like that is Predestination with Ethan Hawke. Definitely a mind bender.

[@56postoffice]

@joetroutt7425 Heard of that film, might have to check it out.

[@sharmaineclif6731]

By far one of my favorite movies. I can never get tired of it. ❤

[@chasehedges6775]

Same. It’s a classic

[@stephr126]

This came out when I was a kid. I usually don't watch sci-fi or action movies, but I loved Schwarzenegger movies. I still think that he wasn't dreaming when he returned to Mars. He was there and knew it too well to just be a dream. Plus, the theme song for Total Recall is my one of my favorites. It fits with the movie so well.

[@asamusicdude]

the best line in the movie is "See you at the party Rickter!!" As he throws the arms

[@JBuckMovies]

"See You At The Party Richter!"

[@heavyspoilers]

Ma man

[@felixjones9198]

I always remember that he shouts "there's your arms!" as he threw Michael Ironside's arms after him.

[@aaronhall1936]

​@felixjones9198 I feel like I remember this too.

[@anubusx]

"Consider that a divorce."

[@wynngg1]

I had major nostalgia vibes watching your breakdown, I have not seen this in at least 15 years. I agree completely that this was a dream sequence. I’m loving all your breakdowns and I hope you can do more nostalgic movies like this, thanks!

[@kingkull77]

These are great videos. Keep up the good work!

[@GnrMilligan]

Good job. So much research and consideration clearly go into all of your content!

[@bell6dandy564]

I was born in 1980, and had a father who loved all the Sci fi, horror, and action movies and totally let us watch everything. This was an extreme movie to watch at that age, it scared the crap outta me but that's because the practical effects were AWESOME! Not a fan of the remake though. OG Totall Recall all the way.

[@nomenclature7662]

Fuck that remake. Trash.

[@t-7777]

Is his favourite horror film the thing

[@ikapatino3214]

Me too.

[@ferise1]

Same! Born 79 l could watch all these masterpieces

[@osimarmedeiros]

Curiously enough, in the book, Douglas Quail did go to Mars. But his memory was erased. And he saved the world while a kid by preventing an alien species from invading Earth. It's a more psychological stuff (PKD style) but they went the other way around with the movies. Great book and awesome film.

[@pacorrodelgadillo8429]

Exactly! I read the book 15 years before the movie was produced, and once watched the movie, I always thought that should have deserved a second parte, if they had follow the original book's ending .

[@aeskin1]

Not necessarily. In the book it is not at all clear whether those things really happened or were implanted

[@analogalien651]

I was born in the late 70’s and my dad was a huge fan of Arnold s I fi flicks as well as other film but watching these old movies and this channel brings me back to better days! Thank you!!!

[@originalsubwayjones]

I came to the same conclusion, but even though I've seen this movie 100 times, you still pointed out a few things I missed. Great video.

[@50_Pence]

Arnie spoke about wanting to do it so much but took him years to get it made. Made me love it even more. It's my number 1/2 fav movie since 91. Seen it 50+time s

[@The503factory]

One of my favourites movies I could watch it over and over 😅

[@marcwolf60]

Unobtanium was actually mentioned in the movie The Core (2003) and then in Avatar (2009). Quipped.. "The actual name has 19 syllables, so I just call it Unobtanium". It was a substance that became stronger as it was heated and compressed more, making the perfect material to create a ship that would go in to the Earths core.

[@ninjaswordtothehead]

I knew I wasn't the only one that watched that movie.

[@marvhollingworth663]

I knew I didn't dream watching The Core!

[@Caldwing]

The origins are actually much older than that. It's an old engineering joke, like the retro-encabulator. It's like a parody term for an absurdly hard to get substance that is demanded by the specs. It was probably used earlier, but the first recorded usage was at in the 50s at Lockheed and was actually referring to titanium, which was very rare at the time.

[@citygirlfarm]

First of all, very enjoyable. I got a big kick out of your review with all the fine detail. Total Recall is one of my favorite sci-fi movies. I can only say the movie leaves up in the air on if it's a dream or not, and after all these years it still makes you ask that question.

[@beachcomberbob3496]

Back in the day, Blockbuster stores used to sell off popular VHS tapes once they'd been rented out (worn) so many times. I remember going through the 'bargain bin' and coming across this one. As an Arnie fan, I couldn't resist it. The tape went to a charity shop years ago, but I still re-watch the digital version from time to time, if only to roll my eyes at the VFX and Arnie's one-liners.

[@madmic2829]

You missed the part when he's at recall when Bob tells the doctor he's just acting out the secret agent part of his program and she says that's impossible because they haven't implanted it yet

[@hareypujols9059]

Just rewatched this a couple weeks ago, awesome to see a new breakdown. Been loving all these breakdowns of movies that weren’t released recently.

[@py8554]

Total Recall started my journey with Philip K Dick. I am always thankful to this amazing movie for that.

[@TheKrensada]

I saw the edited for TV version of this movie first. And I honestly love a single line in it better than the original. When Quaid is taking the briefcase from the old lady, in the original cut she says "Come back here, you asshole!" But in the edited version she says "Come back here, you steroid!" So much funnier in my opinion.

[@johnforhan7087]

Well done man. I didn’t think it was a dream until I was older and I as able to properly understand the movie.

[@markford2272]

Great video and pretty convincing that it was all a dream... except for Melina being with him on Mars at the beginning of the movie. The only way that might be explained away is that it's just Quaids' ideal fanatsy woman, the girl of his dreams (literally) and he almost superimposes her onto the more generic female type on the monitor, when he's at Rekall. Either way, this is a great movie and one of Arnie's best roles - the fact people are still debating whether it was all a dream, over 30 years later, shows how iconic this movie really is

[@thickerconstrictor9037]

There's no good evidence that it was a dream. Everything points to it being real. If it's a dream then it is full of plotholes

[@jdinaro]

I think it must have been real because of that scene where he briefly unexpectedly awakens as hauser during the implant procedure. Then the staff manage to sedate him and wipe his memories of the occurrence and his entire visit to recall, and then when he subsequently awakens in the cab, he has no memory of how he got there.

[@Phoenix2312]

I will be honest, When I watch the movie - I am always treating it as real too... But the example you gave - NAH! That's a bad example... Why? Because that's a Movie Plot in many movies... A Protagonist goes to a Secret Meeting, Gets Drugged and wakes up somewhere with no idea how they got there... It is Quite Literally a Movie Script and would 100% be something that Rekall would have used for Reference. There is also another hint though that something is not right... Something I have only just noticed and it is in that same scene. Rekall KNOW Quaid's home address, Why have the Johnny Cab drive him around randomly? Maybe they don't want another Lawsuit or something, but again... Isn't it better to put him in a cab and have him dropped off somewhere random... And then get rid of the Cab as its bound to have "Storage Media" so would be Evidence of their involvement! It is not a person you can pay to keep their silence! When you think more carefully about it - Some aspects of that scene do not fit with Reality! Now, I am just Nitpicking... But its also why I love the movie! Either Explanation WORKS... And to me, I believe that IT WAS REAL! 100% it was supposed to be reality just as it was in Philip K. Dicks original Short Story... But its shot so well that BOTH Ideas are Viable and that makes it a BRILLIANT MOVIE!

[@jdinaro]

@@Phoenix2312 I take your point, and it is possible that him waking up momentarily as hauser during the implant procedure could have actually been a part of the ego trip package, however, the fact that they wipe his memory and he subsequently awakens in the cab with no memory of it illustrates that the scene was not intended to be part of the ego trip package, and was only for the benefit of the viewer to, later in hindsight, understand that even the quaid persona was implanted by the agency, and that recall’s procedure unintentionally deprogrammed the quaid persona and he reverted to hauser until they managed to sedate him again and perform the wipe. Least that’s the way I’ve always seen it. But great movie. I wish they still made them this good today.

[@Phoenix2312]

@@jdinaro I agree... I mean, how many movies today do we honestly still talk about the way we do this one? Very few... One thing you can say for quite a lot of old movies... even back to the black and white days - There was a passion in the writing that is missing today!

[@andrewashington6170]

I remember that the tech says that it’s not the ego trip because they never got to implant it. This happens while Arnold is sedated. It must not be in his mind.

[@riffbw]

Why would a Recall implant of a secret agent include waking up at the Recall location? It makes the customer hostile to your organization. Then after he's dumped, his buddies come up saying "You went to Recall didn't you" before trying to kill him. If implants are a vacation, the characters should be fabricated and/or you have little interaction with the key figures. Your wife and friends trying to kill you should not be in the programming out of fear of lobotomy. If it's a dream, Recall is actively lobotomizing people with this implant more often than not.

[@Delekhan]

Saw this when I was 10 years old back when it came out. Pretty dang violent but I loved it. Thanks for the great breakdown vid! Keep them coming!

[@aaronsause6573]

A lot of people, including my also much younger self, got swept away by the action, cool spy story, quato-ness lol, and victory over the bad guys happy ending, taking it all at face value as reality...totally forgetting that when setting his "vacation" up, they described all of the events pretty much that would happen if he chose that adventure...and it actually makes the movie even more awesome that it was able to distract us enough to think it was all real...

[@scifibabe3689]

I've always been a huge fan of the original Total Recall. This recall was awesome - love the details to illustrate it was a dream, not real. I really enjoy this video.

[@redsealjourneymanreviews6647]

You don’t say original you just say total recall. You must be under 30.

[@Jay-wk9xj]

In the directors commentary verhoven states pretty clearly that he envisioned the entire story as the dream. That's why it fades to white instead of black at the end of the movie... Arnold is actually having the embolism He was promised when he didn't exit the dream...

[@misterriktus151]

Only problem is all the scenes without Arni where characters are still playing out their role. If its a dream nothing wld exist without Arni perceiving it. But it cld just be a plot hole n poor directing.

[@corporatecat230]

I think your opinion that it was an embolism is an assumption on your part, because I watched the director's commentary and I didn't get that feeling at all. I got the feeling that Arnold Schwarzenegger is basically us in our dreams, and at the end of the movie it's insinuating the end of the everyday guys fantasy while watching it.

[@smarti1144]

@@corporatecat230 yeah why must he be lobotomized or have an embolism…..why can’t he just wake up?

[@Imperial_Cosmonaut]

@@misterriktus151 that's what I always thought too; especially when Lull, McLane, and Ernie are talking about Arnold while he's knocked out in the rekall chair

[@Jay-wk9xj]

​@candleAbba22 It's not my opinion- the director himself explicitly states in the DVD commentarye that he made the movie from the point of view that it was a dream....just go back and listen to the commentary it's right there...

[@dominican5683]

Just here to say this is one of my childhood favorites, also good analysis of the 'is this a dream or is this reality' question

[@patrickmay9213]

Forgot to say I love your videos! Sorry, caught up in the moment...

[@andyt2363]

Great retro review, my head think it's a dream, my heart goes with reality

[@Imperial_Cosmonaut]

Kind of the opposite for me; the "real" interpretation requires critical thinking, while the dream one you just take what is told to you at face value

[@9to5_]

The faces when they are expose to the outside still haunts me.... That and dude with deformed child on his belly 😭

[@christoff130]

I freaking love Total Recall! I have sat many friends don to watch the movie and was even more excited knowing my wife never saw it. This movie had me on the edge of my seat when I was a kid and hits all the nostalgia today.

[@awesomereviews1561]

The real question was never if it was a dream or not. It was obviously a dream. The real question was: is the lobotomy warning a part of the dream or is the lobotomy warning not a part of the dream?

[@philiphobgen8283]

I always thought it was a dream, but not that he got lobotomised. I was always thought (and still do to an extent) that the concept if such a trip can't work unless the passenger (Arnie, the audience) really thinks there's something at stake. I always liked to think he woke up fine having had the trip of his life, as he'd originally planned to have. I'm sure that is wrong but I'm a suckered for a happy ending 😊

[@r.r.3949]

thank you I got a little depressed thinking the guy was lobotomized, your theory made me happy

[@kruleworld]

The dream/reality storyline is what makes this such an interesting film 30 years later. it makes me wonder why they didn't include this thread in the remake film.

[@madaknevarski6478]

I think the genius of this film story is that it leaves you to decide for yourself which is real, do you want the happy ending or the bleak ending. I like to think it's ambiguous enough to never be sure.

[@SLRModShop]

It's not ambiguous AT ALL. The movie spells it out for you MULTIPLE TIMES. See the guy who came to Mars just to tell him that he was in fact dreaming? Find me ONE GOOD REASON someone would travel through space to tell a random guy, who isn't dreaming, that he is in fact dreaming... See what I mean? You're not dreaming right now, right? Imagine a reason for someone coming from Japan and tell you that you're actually dreaming right now... Let me know if you find any. Bad guy #1: "this secret agent is going to make our plan fail" Bad guy #2: "Boss, I have an idea, what if we tell him that he's in fact dreaming?" Bad guy #1: "this is genius!!!! That way, he'll stop chasing after us!!! MOUHAHAHAHAHA" Bad guy #3: "Are you guys for real right now?! 😅"

[@dnichl]

@@SLRModShop no doubt. some real mental gymnastics going on by some to even think it's a possibility. perfect use case of Occam's razor.

[@bruhdon4748]

@@SLRModShopwell that and the fact at the start of the movie when they’re putting him into the machine the technicians say “hmm blue sky on Mars” literally gives away the ending & on top of that he literally designs the female he meets lol

[@anodosarcade7355]

EVERYONE RUIN THIS GUYS DREAM!

[@direwolfen]

​@SLRModShop do imaginary dream people have to travel distance?

[@pll9000]

Like in Bladerunner, the beauty of the story is that both scenarios are equally plausible: is Deckard a replicant? Is Quaid an agent? Both stories feature protagonists that question their perception of reality. It makes sense that the audience is equally bewildered as the protagonists. We the audience have the same information they do. Which means we have the same questions. That we still debate the question at the core of these movies is a testament to their depth and longevity. A definite answer to the questions posed by these movies would rob them of their appeal.

[@AdyXer]

I think there is only one thing that happens in the whole film that makes the 'real' option seem plausible...and that's him dreaming of Melina at the start. Other than that I agree with the video that it was all a memory implant.

[@shadowgb]

Dean Norris also played the lead swat team member in terminator 2 during the attack on cyberdyne. he's the one who yells "everybody get out!" before miles dyson dies and detonates the explosives.

[@lifeinthelabyrinth]

He’s good in The Lawnmower Man also👍

[@shadowgb]

@@lifeinthelabyrinth its been a minute since I've seen that movie.

[@lifeinthelabyrinth]

@@shadowgb She’s an absolute Gem! That ending is too good!!

[@danielwilliamson6180]

Total Recall is such a classic. It keeps you guessing. Is it reality or a fantasy? At the end of the movie, it's left to us the audience to decide if it's real or a dream.

[@Mr_Rob_otto]

I always thought it was all just a dream. But that’s the beauty of it. There’s no right or wrong answer. The ending was smartly ambiguous and the viewer is free to interpret the movie how they want.

[@thickerconstrictor9037]

​@@Mr_Rob_otto there definitely is a right answer though. The right answer is that he wasn't dreaming. There are so many clues that it absolutely can't be a dream. The sweat on his head right before he kills them, you wouldn't have sweat in recall. Getting memories back before even going into the machine, conversations that happened when he's not even there. It absolutely positively was not a dream and it's not even an opinion it's fact

[@pinealdreams1064]

@@thickerconstrictor9037 Other than the director himself saying it's a dream? Sorry, but, I'm going to take the guy who made the film's opinion overyours.

[@YonkoAgenda]

​@pinealdreams1064 I just checked and the director said its both a dream and reality simultaneously

[@danielwilliamson6180]

@@YonkoAgenda We never really find out if it is. It's really left up to us to decide.

[@joelyfpv7075]

Epic I’m loving these deep dives

[@heatherford7905]

Totally a dream, I've always beleived it based upon the "Hey! Blue skies on Mars line." Thanks for the deep dive.

[@sethmeyer2443]

I saw this in the theaters in 1990. It wasnt as big as Terminator or Predator but it was pretty big. I always thought it was a dream. But also, this led to me becoming a huge Philip K Dick fan and this is the way most of his stories are. Ambiguous endings open to your own interpretation.

[@jamesconroy7030]

The problem with the "it was all just a dream" ending to any movie is how does one person's dream include scenes that the dreamer isn't in, and isn't aware of? How does Dorothy's dream in Wizard of Oz include the wicked witch spying on her without her knowing? If it's all part of her dream, she would have seen that part. Regardless of the writer's intention, it's still a paradox that just can't be explained.

[@jeffrey8959]

I was looking at the movie to see if everything after he gets into the machine is from his point of view, and the very next scene is where the secretary is painting her nails and then we see Quaid fighting to get out of the machine -- not from his point of view.

[@jamesconroy7030]

@@jeffrey8959 Even more telling is the scene where the villains are tracking him on a map without him knowing it. Not to mention how he had to "design" Melina. His wife, and the guy from his work are in the movie later. If it were a simulation, how would the programmers know what they looked like?

[@brentonl]

Agree. Always thought Wizard of Oz was more than a movie .. a documentary. Like the Truman Show. We're all Truman, and we're all Dorothy

[@mageside]

It's simple, I've had a few dreams where I experienced an action like sequence taking place and saw the POV of people trying to take me out in said dream and get back to my perspective in the dream and then I was none the wiser because my character of me my dream wasn't supposed to know that yet.

[@jamesconroy7030]

@@mageside But if it were a programed simulation, it wouldn't have scenes like when the bad guy kisses Sharon Stone, and it turns out she's actually married to him. How could that be part of Arnold's Recall trip?

[@dadtype2339]

First off, I love this channel, thank you for your work!❤ Always mashing the like button like it was a fly! My favorite line in this movie has become my own personal inside joke. A one man inside joke that really sets a blaze when someone knows what I'm talking about, and I have two of these, one is from this movie the other is a bit more complicated, so to save time, if anyone wants to know what the second one is reply to this, and I'll respond in kind, for now, here is this one... When Arnie holds Ironside down in the elevator and his arms are chopped off, Arnie says, "See you at the party Rictor" And not only is this just absolutely absurdly funny, he isn't going to be at the party and even if he were he's now without arms!!! It's the best line I think in almost all movies it's that way to me it's up there in the top 5. Especially when it can be made into an inside joke. So we know this movie, and the line, well, my family doesn't watch sci-fi stuff it's really a house full of woman and it's just me my Father in-law and a neutered cat in this war. Well anytime something comes up that's a shame, or it's been ruined, or something I wanted to do gets changed, I say, See you at the party Rictor. And no one knows what I'm talking about until this one time I said it in a doctor's waiting room this guy looked up smiled and pointed at me Total Recall, and I said yup and he laughed oh that's funny and my wife is like what's going on? And I just say you'd have to have seen the movie to understand the reference. And that Taxi cab driver is a really good actor because he freaked me out as a kid and still some as an adult, I didn't trust him right from the get go. I saw this movie in the theaters it was a really big deal back then. Another film I hope you guys do some day if you haven't already is "BIG TROUBLE LITTLE CHINA" Thanks❤

[@timoneill1187]

You nailed it buddy . I was in second grade when I saw this in the theaters with my dad . I loved it. I just watched it again a few weeks ago. Love this movie .

[@RobStevens64]

My interpretation is that the only thing that is not a memory is the opening scene where Hauser/Quaid slips and cracks his visor. Everything after that is his 'total recall' of his life, getting more and more surreal as he loses consciousness ... the happy ending at the end (blue sky on Mars) is Hauser/Quaid finally DYING. It is the only interpretation (IMO) that explains allows all the plot holes to exist without contradiction ... the biggest one being that's Milena with him on Mars at the beginning of the movie! My biggest question has been, who died on Mars? Was it Quaid, going there for a vacation and having an unfortunate accident, or was it Hauser, there because he worked for Cohagen? I've leaned towards Hauser, but one of the things I love about the movie is just how open to interpretation it all is.

[@Imperial_Cosmonaut]

I like this "3rd" theory

[@The_Texorcist]

I love how the ending is left open to be interpreted differently depending on the person. I personally believe in the “it’s a Recall” ending just because many of the plot elements, a pic of Melina and even the reactor is pictured right before he goes under. Now from there it still leaves two endings even if it is a recall. The first is the flash to white at the end was the end of his recall and that he wakes up to his old life. The other (the one I go with) is that the doc he killed inside the recall was legit thus by killing him his mind was set that the recall was reality and that the light at the end was what the doc told him would happen… he was lobotomized.

[@castortroy1727]

No, the fade to white at the end as opposed to the typical classic Hollywood movie fade to black ending before the casting credits was to symbolize Quaid waking up from his lobotomy in reality on Earth.

[@XH1927]

I agree, the "coincidences" are easily explained as subconscious memory on the part of Hauser, who had seen the relics and Melina before.

[@Dravianpn02]

He dreamt of Melina before Rekall.

[@Dravianpn02]

He also was never given the secret agent implant.

[@AdyXer]

The director literally confirmed that it was the latter of those two options btw :)

[@sanakiyamam1987]

it was one of the movies that stays in your mind and keeps his place there like an unforgettable memory. not like many new movies that you watch and forget

[@SgtSabotage]

I first time you have been suggested. Great name for a channel.

[@kellyngrey4950]

This is one of my favorite movies. I was soooo stoked to play Red Faction back in '01 when it came out because it reminded me of this movie. Still one of the best sci-fi films. It also touched off my love for Arnold Schwarzenegger. I've since watched almost every single movie he's ever done - including Hercules in New York.

[@joetroutt7425]

Is Red Faction seriously similar to this movie? I've never played it

[@mrjohntheo154]

I was the same when Red Faction came out.

[@supremeownage8995]

Excellent review! The only thing I'd add that I always found interesting was that throughout the film it's implied that Cohaagen doesn't want to start the reactor because he wants to control the air on Mars. But at the very end of the film, even when at risk of being sucked out and killed in the hostile environment, he's still begging for Quade to not push the button, and that it'll kill everyone. I always found that interesting, that he really believed pushing the button would be a bad thing.

[@BPond7]

I noticed that, too, and always thought it was a brilliant touch. 🖖😀

[@JoanChild-yv4se]

I remember watching many of these sci fi flicks as a teenager, my hat goes off to the authors

[@Anubis-hl6wh]

great video, the thing that makes total recall a genius film is that the story can go both ways of whether it’s a dream or not. It’s all up to the person watching it. I saw an interview with arnold where he said it was always meant to be interpreted that way. People underestimate this film, you can prove the theory either way & I can’t think of any other movie where you can look at it from either point of view & still be right.

[@deavyhick6803]

Like book of Eli

[@Anubis-hl6wh]

@@deavyhick6803 another gem, good pick. Nobody knew eli was blind the first time watching

[@deavyhick6803]

@Anubis-hl6wh that's the point of the movie, it's purposely left to the viewer to interpret the movies for themselves. Eli wasn't blind in the movie but the subtle clues allow certain viewers to interpret another meaning to the movie. They don't make many good movies like these.

[@Beanee27]

The soundtrack to this film is brilliant, could hear the music in the background when talking about Venusville.

[@ulvesparker]

I was always slightly bothered by the jump to the hotel room scene on Earth where Quaid receives the phone call from his agency buddy. It just seemed like a previous scene, motivation, or clue was missing to explain getting him there. It stands out because the rest of the movie had such tight, near flawless flow, easy to follow logic and continuity.

[@Imperial_Cosmonaut]

If you were running from a bunch of people and needed somewhere to sleep for the night, where would you go?

[@heavyspoilers]

Let us know your thoughts on the movie below

[@loranjames2128]

Maybe The True Reason There Are So Many Things That Make You Think It Is All A Dream Is Actually The Fack That He Already Did The Total Recall Thing Is Because Thay Got His Memories Or Something And Made Is Into A Dream And The Rest Is All A Coincidence Is Because He Started To Remember And Decided To Make Those Choices For His New Memory

[@Mark__838]

Love the breakdown! Surprised you didn't mention Rick and Morty when talking about David Cornenberg.

[@AnthologyOfDave]

Only a movie in my top 10! Maybe the best sci-fi action movie ever made. Thank you!!!! Now, GET YOUR ASS TO MARS!!!

[@AnthologyOfDave]

Being a kid...14, when this came out(still can't believe it was 1990, really thought it came out in the 80s) I always felt that it wasn't a dream. The scene with the doctor sweating really sealed that in for me. Watching this breakdown, even though I've seen this film more than 20 times, has flipped it on me and I think you're right, it is a dream. I think that my thinking it was not a dream, really shows how naive I was and wanted the happy ending to be the truth. Now, as an adult of 46 I know that there are very few happy endings in life and you're lucky to make it out of the jungle alive. Excellent breakdown. Such a classic film and so ahead of its time. 33 years later and they still can't make them this good, as even the not perfect special effects are actually amazing and are perfect because they don't take you out of the film. Love learning about the behind-the-scenes details, like the Mexico subway, and how the mutants are from the mind of Cronenberg. Just an outstanding breakdown and stroll down memory lane.......or was it a dream?? Dun Dun DUN!!

[@ssshar2176]

Loves these classic breakdowns. Can you do Contact with Jodi Foster next?? I love that movie!

[@ChristopherPadilla-ig3bp]

I just watched this at 38 and was amazed at the production quality. It felt like an early 2000's film and the intensity was felt from start to finish.

[@Taz247]

One of my favorite movies and i have watched it many many times it is still epic and i love arnold in movies. He was and is still one if the best action actors ever

[@SnootchieBootchies27]

I always thought the Recall employee mentioning "that's a new one, blue sky on Mars" was the nail in the coffin. Definitely a dream.

[@MountainDewComacho494]

I read the novelization by Piers Anthony just after I watched the movie a couple times. There was a throw away news stories about stars going supernova in the beginning. This was developed further in the novelization. Essentially to spoil an out of print book, if Quaid didn’t activate the alien reactors at the end, our Sun would go super-nova. It gave the impression that some alien race left these reactors to find and if a civilization did not activate the reactor, their sun would go nova. Also, the novelization gave me the impression that it was not a dream, although perhaps it was.

[@Imperial_Cosmonaut]

Dude, that's freakin awesome. Glad I found your comment. Did you read the original phillip k dick story too?

[@MountainDewComacho494]

@Imperial_Cosmonaut Yes I did. That one was kind of mind blowing, but very different.

[@davidtatro7457]

The beauty of a film like this is the questions it makes us ask, rather than the answers it provides.

[@dennisstroble6328]

Where on the internet can I view the original director's cut version of Total Recall? I’ve only been able to see the movie on VHS although once I did see an extended-release version on cable TV that showed some extended scenes. Now I’d like to see the original director's cut version of Total Recall that hasn’t been edited.

[@daprovocateur]

the opening scene dream is a memory of what actually happened. Then his memory is erased to forget he was a freedom fighter. The “trip” he takes at Recall triggers him to retake his hero role again and save Mars.

[@bst857]

I agree it is a dream, but I like to think the whole lobotomy thing was part of the secret agent trip. Basically a way of making it seem more real. So, if he hadn't shot that guy in the head and taken the pill instead, the story would have concluded in the same way (he would have ended up being taken to the same room where they reactivate Hauser). It was just there to add excitement/danger and the illusion of choice. The only reason anyone thinks he's being lobotomised at the end is because that guy said he would be, but we have no way of knowing how true that is.

[@juanitovonbumblepantz7252]

Exactly.

[@_Qwi_]

It's been a long time since I've seen it, but when Quaid is bringing up the idea of going to to Rekall to one of his work friends, the guy expresses some doubts and mentions some previous incident where the procedure went wrong and they had to lobotomize the customer. The possibility was introduced long before he ever set foot in the office, so there's certainly reason to believe that if he's dreaming, the impending lobotomy might be very real.

[@martnava1661]

labotomy is typically used when a patient is violent. they'd have no reason to labotomize a guy who is asleep. I'd say it was all a dream and when it's over, he'll wake up all happy from a nice happy dream then have to go back to his mundane life as a laborer. but maybe his wife in real life is melina and not Sharon stone

[@Konitama]

@@martnava1661 Honestly if you woke up from a dream that real you'd probably start to question reality and you'd be too far gone to go back to a mundane life. You'd probably think you were somehow tricked into being an average person at that point.

[@thamirivonjaahri6378]

Dat movie was so much underrated. Up until this day I keep binge watching it along few other movies and I stand convinced that it is a beautiful dream that in my opinion starts at the very beginning of the movie. To put it simply Quaid dreams having a dream at the start and even his visit to Rekall is part of it to justify how he got this agent persona and sudden shift of all things he knows and why he believes it so much to be real up until the end, merely since there is no boundary between reality and dream to begin with. It is implied that he does not remember his visit to Rekall later on, but it is more in line of that dream you had and forgot when still dreaming.

[@kevinalexander5408]

Excellent Review. Row row row your boat, gently down the stream, merrily merrily merrily merrily, Life is but a Dream.

[@sukiwatson]

I leaned more towards it being reality as well. The sweat on Edgemoor's face, Quaid waking up at Recall before they implanted him with the vacation. Then you got his friend telling him not to go to Recall makes me think he was there to see if Quaid every regains his memory as Houser. Whether he was dreaming, or it was real this is a great movie.

[@somejerkbag]

"Blue sky on Mars? That's a new one." It was totally a dream

[@aaronsmith1702]

I have always been of the mindset that it's real and not just in his head, but I like the fact they leave it open to interpretation. I do think the incredible coincidences go both ways though, for example Quaid was having dreams of Melina and Mars long before going to recall and everyone around him was acting very sus. Not to mention the fact that the narrative itself has huge inconsistencies if you think about the fact that we see other people's perspectives constantly throughout the film, including scenes like the salesman chatting with another customer. If it really was all just a dream, then why imprint memories that would quite literally enable you to discern reality from the imprint? The whole point is to create a narrative in your head to convince you that you were there, but I can't have vivid memories of places I haven't been or situations I never engaged in. Seems like a stretch that the company would have a huge oversight like that, and would most likely opt for a more first person perspective. Either way I love this movie and think it was expertly crafted. Arnie was perfectly casted, the action is tense and story compelling. The fact we are talking about it decades later is testament to the excellence on display. Also thanks for covering this.

[@acc2mdk1]

Amazing content 👍

[@servo66]

My dad took me to see this in the theater when I was 9 years old. I have a six year old kid now and I cannot envision a world where I let her see this in three years AND YET this movie delighted and amazed me in a way that sticks with me in such a positive way to this day.

[@mattdalton9672]

You let your dad down

[@Imperial_Cosmonaut]

Yet, if your nine year old told you they like to play with the toys of the opposite sex..you'd probably run straight to the sex change clinic and get them on puberty blockers...🤣

[@noneyabizz8337]

You're a better man

[@ChrisParrishOutdoors]

Something to consider, Total Recall sells memories. I assumed they had to get memories from somewhere and in the spy case it was Quaid before he was Quaid. When given the memory the adverse reaction was because they just gave him his own memory back with the alterations Total Recall had made, mainly the ending as Quaid never activated the martian reactor even though he had seen them.

[@castortroy1727]

Actually, Douglas Quaid was Carl Hauser, Cohaggen's top henchman and lieutenant next to Richter, that Cohaggen ordered the Rekall Center on Mars to turn into Quaid in order to use Quaid as a mole/double agent/spy to infiltrate the Martian Resistance and help Cohaggen and his men kill Kuato.

[@richardtbrown756]

Brilliant concept!

[@Imperial_Cosmonaut]

Dude, I'm seeing these fan theories like yours, and they're leagues cooler than the standard dream vs reality debate

[@joedavid2510]

Also.... the bead of sweat. If the doctor were in recall and in a chair then A) he wouldnt be hot enough to sweat. B) more importantly he wouldnt be nervously sweating.

[@joedavid2510]

I've been watching this movie nearly 40yrs and never contemplated the idea of it all being a dream. My main thought is this.... Your main premise for it being a dream seems to be the coincidental convenience of it all but my fist thought is... isn't nearly every movie a series of convenient coincidences? Personally, in my mind, it's always been what the plot laid out. This corporate scumbag went undercover to destroy a rebel movement from the inside but his new identity got in the way and he grew a conscience. It's not dissimilar to real life in that many of our modern conveniences were first invented for other applications. Total recall is a way to have memories of things that you wish you could really experience and this tech is used in business and the military for other, more nefarious purposes. Just my thoughts. The "it's all a dream" is very interesting to kick around though. Great video and examination!