Total Recall(1990)

Another action hit starring Arnold Schwarzenneger hit the theaters a year before T2 ever hit the silver screen and it was the action packed, well written Paul Verhoevan directed film Total Recall. This film just seems to do everything right. It isn't too long, it features some awesome action scenes, great dialogue, a dreary, but effective future to look upon and more. The film takes place years into the future, Earth is now no longer alone in the Universe and human make frequent trips to other planets, for real and artificially. Arnold Schwarzenneger plays Douglas Quaid a construction worker who begins to get bored of his everyday life and decides to get a memory implant where he goes to the planet Mars undercover, trying to save the planet from destruction from the mad dictator Cohaagen(played evily by Ronny Cox). The other thing that makes the film awesome is the fact that you can't trust anyone, the first example comes in the guise as the ever beautiful(until Catwoman and Basic Instinct II)Sharon Stone, who plays Quaid's wife Lori. Stone does a terrific job, she brings raw energy, sex appeal and stamina that fits perfectly with both Schwarzenneger and Rachel Ticoten. Other actors in the film that should be noted are Michael Ironside as the evil, but clever Richter, a boss goon of sorts to Cohaagen. Ironside is an excellent actor, always able to make a bad guy a really bad guy or a good guy an anti-hero(watch Smallville or Starship Troopers). Just a great job. Rachel Ticotin is also in the cast as Quaid's love interest on Mars named Melena. All I have to say is wow, what a performance, she's beautiful, agressive, a perfect match for Schwarzenneger to end up with. Marshall Bell, Roy Brocksmith and Mel Johnson Jr round out the cast and helps to create a one of a kind action film.
SPOILER AHEAD
The thing I have always loved about the film is the fact that you never know if what we are watching is real or not. In the scene where Quaid goes to Recall and ask for the implant he request to be ubdercover, Melena is the love interest he will have and he would get the girl in the end, this is all that happens, than we get a blinding white light at the end, which may or may not solidify a labanamy. It keeps the film a mystery and fun to theorize about.
The DVD features an awesome commentary track by Schwarzenneger and Verhoeven. As well as a lengthy documentary that gives you an idea of what was done to make the film. An equally good DVD to a great film.

4 out of 5 stars....stays upon frequent viewings too.