Total Recall trailer – Now with director's commentary!

The full trailer for director Len Wiseman’s Total Recall reboot dropped this past Sunday, and like many I was surprised at how good it appears to be. Expecting nothing but a quick cash-in, the trailer was instead crammed with gorgeous eye-catching visuals, exciting and innovative action and Kate Beckinsale and Jessica Biel going at it. (And by “it”, I mean fighting, you pervs.)

Wiseman took time out of his busy schedule of making money, to call MTV and give them a shot-by-shot director’s commentary on the trailer, including how he pulled off that whirling dervish camera shot in the trailer’s most memorable action sequence.

Well, what do you know? It seems that contrary to popular belief, Mr Wiseman does indeed have some creative flair! I was certain that he had taken some digital shortcuts to pull off that sequence, but cameras mounted on rigs moving at 35mph? Bravo! (If you can’t tell by now, I am a sucker for practical effects in films, hence my Chris Nolan shrine.)

The commentary also provided me with some assurance that some level of thought has gone into the changes they’ve made to the original story, and that it’s not just done for the sake of looking cool. I especially like the justification of moving REKALL to a seedy opium den, because as Wiseman points out, that type of tech is not something that many people would embrace easily.

Now I don’t know about you guys, but this commentary has certainly ratcheted my excitement levels for this film up another notch. Hell, a couple of notches! August better get here soon!

Last Updated: April 5, 2012