Total Recall (1990) or Total Recall (2012)??

(CONTAINS SPOILERS, DO NOT READ IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN THE MOVIE YET!!)

Anytime a remake (reboot, whatever you want to call it) comes out, many people, like me, become skeptical.  It seems Hollywood prefers to remake old movies rather than take the time and money to make a new movie.  Remakes can go good or bad.  The majority of the public seems to be annoyed by remakes, so as soon as word gets out there's going to be a remake, the public seems to be automatically against it.

Back in 1990, 'Total Recall,' was one of Arnold Schwarzenegger's biggest hits.  It had great action, special effects and one hell of a premise.  Arnold played Douglas Quaid, a construction worker who is really a secret agent.  He dodges soldiers, assassins, to save the people of Mars by changing the atmosphere to give the Martians free air.

In the remake, 'Total Recall,' director Len Wiseman wisely chose to keep most of the original intact.  Doug Quaid, this time played by Colin Farrell, is now a factory worker.  He dreams of doing something more.  He decides to go to Rekall to get a fantasy.  However, he is soon attacked and must defend himself against a group of soldiers.  Quaid must now fight an unknown enemy while trying to find out why he is being targeted.

To be honest, I like both movies.  It's rare that you find yourself liking the original and the remake.  Len Wiseman did a great job with the remake.  He changed some major plot points.  Quaid doesn't go to Mars, there are no mutants.  In the original Quaid must risk it all to get the people of Mars air.  In the remake, Quaid must stop an invasion that could kill millions of innocent people.  Also in the remake, there is no army of soldiers, but rather a robot army.

The remake still has great special effects, awesome action scenes.  The acting is pretty good too.  Colin Ferrell does a great job as someone who a believable person.  Kate Beckinsale shines as she actually plays a  villain this time.  Jessica Biel also gets a nod as the woman that is kind hearted, but can fight as well.  Bryan Cranston, who is an awesome actor, doesn't get much screen time in this movie.

The remake of 'Total Recall' proves that if a movie is going to be remade doesn't necessarily mean it'll be bad.  Give it a chance.  For better or worse, it'll be fun to discuss afterwards.