The OG Sci-Fi Master's Take on Modern Remakes

Paul Verhoeven's Perspective

Paul Verhoeven, director of the sci-fi classics Total Recall and RoboCop, has recently shared his thoughts on the more recent remakes of his beloved movies. A Dutch filmmaker with a long history of screen credits dating as far back as the 1960s, Verhoeven’s second English-language movie, RoboCop, quickly turned him into a household name for American audiences. He would also follow up his 1987 hit with the 1990 Arnold Schwarzenegger movie Total Recall. Both movies would later receive far less successful remakes in 2012 and 2014.

Arnold Schwarzenegger in the Rekall machine in Total Recall

Speaking with Metrograph, the veteran filmmaker was asked his opinion about previous attempts to modernize his movies and provided some blunt insight as to why they failed to live up to the originals. Suggesting that 2012’s Total Recall with Colin Farrell completely missed the mystery intentionally built into his own movie, Verhoeven also explained that 2014’s RoboCop had problems because it made the leading character far more tragic than the version of Alex Murphy first played by Peter Weller.

Analyzing the Remakes

Verhoeven expressed his disappointment with the remakes, particularly with 2012’s Total Recall and 2014’s RoboCop. He critiqued the lack of mystery in the Total Recall remake, emphasizing the importance of uncertainty and the impact of the original movie’s ending. Additionally, he highlighted the difference in character portrayal in the RoboCop remake, pointing out that the tragic element was overemphasized, deviating from the essence of the original.

In his own words, Verhoeven highlighted the significance of the mystery in Total Recall and the portrayal of RoboCop as a non-tragic figure. These insights shed light on the core elements that were missed in the remakes, contributing to their failure to capture the essence of the originals.

The Essence of Verhoeven's Sci-Fi

Verhoeven's approach to sci-fi storytelling was characterized by vibrant and humorous narratives that blended social satire and pop culture references with science fiction themes. His movies, such as RoboCop and Total Recall, were known for their engaging and entertaining storytelling, which resonated with audiences despite the limitations of the practical effects at the time.

The director's trademark pulp sensibilities, characterized by a sense of entertainment and vibrancy, set his movies apart from the modern remakes. Verhoeven's approach emphasized the importance of storytelling and entertainment value, which is a crucial aspect often overlooked in contemporary sci-fi remakes. His unique blend of social satire and pop culture references contributed to the success of his movies and highlighted the significance of embracing pulp sensibilities in modern sci-fi storytelling.