"Sue me, dickhead!"

What do you get when you merge Paul Verhoeven's proclivity for ultraviolent cinema with the characteristics of an Arnold Schwarzenegger action vehicle? The answer is 1990's Total Recall, an exciting, thought-provoking, violent and delightfully entertaining science fiction action classic. With a screenplay credited to Ronald Shusett (Dead & Buried), Dan O'Bannon (Alien), and Gary Goldman (Big Trouble in Little China), Total Recall is an adaptation of Philip K. Dick's 1966 short story We Can Remember It For You Wholesale, and the project's decades-long journey from page to screen was arduous and uncertain. After falling through the hands of David Cronenberg, Bruce Beresford, Russell Mulcahy, Walt Disney, and a bankrupt Dino De Laurentiis, Schwarzenegger convinced Carolco Pictures to purchase the rights and make the movie with him in the lead role. Additionally, after Verhoeven's work on 1987's RoboCop (for which Schwarzenegger was considered in the lead role), the filmmaker was Arnie's top pick to helm the project. Fortunately, Total Recall successfully came to fruition in this form, and the resulting movie is a thrilling futuristic action blockbuster with imaginative production design and philosophical underpinnings to supplement the spectacle.

A mild-mannered construction worker, Douglas Quaid (Arnold Schwarzenegger) experiences recurring dreams about another life on Mars with a mysterious woman, much to the chagrin of his wife, Lori (Sharon Stone). Against the advice of his colleagues, Quaid visits Rekall, a company that implants artificial memories of perfect holidays tailored to each client's desires. Intrigued, Quaid chooses a holiday package set on Mars, where he is a secret agent. However, Quaid wakes up during the procedure and lashes out, believing he truly is a secret agent. Upon leaving Rekall, Quaid learns that his life is a false memory implanted by the "Agency," and Mars' tyrannical ruler, Vilos Cohaagen (Ronny Cox), fears that his visit to Rekall will unlock his old memories. Seeking to reach Mars to help stop Cohaagen and find the mysterious woman of his dreams (Rachel Ticotin), Quaid is relentlessly pursued by armed government agents led by Richter (Michael Ironside).

There are twists and turns throughout Total Recall, with the story's scope consistently expanding as the action shifts to Mars and introduces a team of freedom fighters working to bring down Cohaagen. Luckily, Verhoeven smoothly guides the narrative with maximum coherency despite the political machinations, and the movie is scarcely boring. Total Recall is an extraordinary action movie with a tongue-in-cheek sense of humour (Arnie's one-liners are neverending), but there is surprising depth and thoughtfulness to the picture's construction. The satirical script lampoons everything from commercialism to the perils of excessive government control, and Verhoeven plays shrewd mental games, challenging our perception of reality. Are the events actually happening, or are they part of an elaborate fantasy concocted by Rekall? Verhoeven is unwilling to answer this question definitively, but there is enough evidence to make a strong case for either scenario, and you could potentially draw a different conclusion with every rewatch. This aspect elevates the movie above the ordinary, making it more than just a brainless action fiesta. Total Recall set the benchmark for contemporary sci-fi action movies with a touch of ambiguity, though the picture remains unequalled over thirty years later.

Total Recall is one of the last big-budget action spectacles to feature classical special effects methods: miniatures, location shooting, make-up, puppetry and elaborately constructed sets. Although movie-goers accustomed to crisp, modern CGI-laden films may perceive Total Recall as dated, the elaborate effects here are arguably more convincing than digital imagery, as they carry a tangible aesthetic. The prosthetics and puppets are especially impressive, with the story featuring eccentric mutants that Cronenberg originally conceived during his time on the project. Additionally, Verhoeven is renowned for the explicit content of his movies, be it nudity or violence, and Total Recall is no different, even gaining notoriety for its record-setting body count at the time. Much like RoboCop, many cuts were made at the MPAA's behest to avoid an X rating. The deaths are gruesome, with over-the-top bloodshed, but the humorous tone prevents the movie from feeling sadistic or mean-spirited. Also beneficial is Jerry Goldsmith's note-perfect original score, embodied by the main theme played during the opening credits. Every note of Goldsmith's work exudes outer space, sci-fi and action, amplifying the movie's sense of danger, suspense and intergalactic adventure. One of Goldsmith's best scores, the soundtrack deserves to stand alongside other seminal cinematic scores, such as John Williams' Star Wars music and James Horner's work on Aliens.

Another of Total Recall's biggest assets is Schwarzenegger. Sure, the Austrian Oak is not an accomplished actor, but Arnie's commanding screen presence is why he is such a fantastic action star. The muscular behemoth is right at home cracking one-liners, shooting guns, running, grunting, making love, and shooting more guns - and, luckily, this role plays to those strengths. Additionally, Arnie ably conveys Quaid's anger, confusion and frustration throughout the story with each new plot development, showing that he can actually act. In the supporting cast, the badass Ironside (Extreme Prejudice, Top Gun) is a fantastic villain, exuding authority and giving Richter a chilling edge. Sticking with Verhoeven after RoboCop, Cox shows once again he can play shady corporate types with ease, and he is terrific as Cohaagen, bringing much-needed gravitas to the production. Sharon Stone also submits a fun performance here, playing into the picture's goofy tone. It's interesting to note that Stone has played a love interest for both Arnie and Sylvester Stallone during her career, as she was Sly's love interest in 1994's The Specialist.

With the budget ballooning to $80 million during shooting, Total Recall is a proficient and visually intriguing production that mostly stands the test of time, especially with its intelligence and clever plotting. Although it is sometimes slightly cheesy, this only contributes to the picture's goofy late-'80s charm. There is something exhilarating about revisiting a film like Total Recall in an era of toned-down violence and rampant political correctness. With Verhoeven at the helm, the film is enjoyably over-the-top in every aspect, from the violence to the sparkling one-liners and the garish special effects. Additionally, with tight editing by the Oscar-nominated Frank J. Urioste (Die Hard), it moves forward with sensational momentum. Much like the director's other action films (RoboCop, Starship Troopers), Verhoeven packs Total Recall with more awesome than most people can handle in two hours, including memorable deaths and devilish ultraviolence. Regrettably, the film was remade in 2012, but the remake is an abomination and does not merit further discussion.

10/10