The Mind-Bending Finale of Total Recall

Paul Verhoeven is a filmmaker who isn't afraid to tackle over-the-top stories, whether they be extremely violent sci-fi pictures like RoboCop and Starship Troopers, or seductive films such as Basic Instinct and Showgirls. One of his best films, Total Recall, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, is considered a classic sci-fi feature due to its themes of identity crisis and questioning reality, as well as its fictional depiction of Mars and stylized action sequences. Schwarzenegger delivers a memorable performance as a vulnerable hero trying to understand himself and the world around him, all while showcasing his likable charisma, sense of humor, and funny one-liners. The plot of Total Recall and its intriguing conclusion are detailed below.

What is Total Recall About?

In Total Recall, Douglas Quaid, a construction worker on Earth during the late 21st Century, is plagued by dreams of a mysterious woman on Mars despite being happily married to Lori. Seeking a way to experience his dreams, Quaid visits Rekall, a high-tech company that implants false memories. He chooses a scenario where he's a secret agent on Mars but his virtual experience is cut short when he experiences excruciating pain and is sent home. Quaid's life takes a dangerous turn when his friend Harry and his henchmen attack him, forcing Quaid to fight back and kill them. Lori then reveals that their marriage was a sham and that she's a secret operative working for Vilos Cohaagen, a tyrant who controls Mars and prioritizes mining turbinium over providing a breathable atmosphere for its inhabitants.

While being pursued by Lori and Cohaagen's henchmen, Quaid receives a suitcase containing evidence of his true identity as Carl Hauser - a former agent of Cohaagen who went rogue after falling in love with a woman he had been hallucinating about. Hauser was brainwashed by Cohaagen's agency and sent to Earth as Quaid to conceal his secrets. After discovering his past, Quaid teams up with Melina to fight against Cohaagen's army and receive vital information from an underground rebellion led by George and Kuato, who has the ability to read Quaid's mind and uncover the truth behind Cohaagen's corrupt mining operation - including an ancient alien reactor hidden on Mars with the power to create breathable air and destroy turbinium.

How does Total Recall end?

Quaid and Melina cleverly eliminate all of Richter's henchmen using a hologram watch. In a final showdown, Quaid engages in a brutal fistfight with Richter, ultimately tearing off his arms. When they confront Cohaagen, he sets off an explosive device, but Quaid throws it into the tunnels, causing a massive explosion. Despite hanging on for dear life, Quaid manages to save Melina and defeat Cohaagen by pushing him through the tunnels to his death. Quaid activates the reactor, melting the red planet's ice core into breathable gas, and they are saved just in time. Quaid and Melina share a kiss, overjoyed at their victory.

Is the Total Recall remake ending different?

The 2012 Total Recall remake directed by Len Wiseman, known for his work on Underworld and Live Free or Die Hard, shares many similarities with the original 1990 film. However, Wiseman's version differs in a few significant ways, notably the omission of Mars from the story. In contrast to the original film where Arnold Schwarzenegger's character dispatches Sharon Stone's Lori early on, Kate Beckinsale's portrayal of Lori is given a more extended role in the remake before being killed by Colin Farrell's Quaid in the film's climactic ending. Wiseman's take on Total Recall also eschews the colorful, stylized violence of the original, opting instead for a more typical modern action film with PG-13 rated violence. In the original, Schwarzenegger's Quaid causes Cohaagen's death by ejecting him into the surface of Mars, while in Wiseman's version, Farrell's Quaid engages in a traditional hand-to-hand combat with Bryan Cranston's Cohaagen and ultimately kills him with a knife.

The theme of a tech corporation dominating a rebellion of the lower class is a common thread in both movies. The protagonist in each film also experiences an internal struggle, grappling with their identity and ultimately choosing to fight against the forces of evil. While Wiseman's remake boasts impressive action sequences, it falls short when compared to Verhoeven's original film, which starred Arnold Schwarzenegger and an exceptional supporting cast. Verhoeven's masterpiece set the bar high, inspiring other iconic film franchises such as The Matrix and Jason Bourne.