Everyone knows the science fiction/action classic "Total Recall" with superstar Arnold Schwarzenegger. But unless you are a science fiction nerd from Canada, chances are you may have never heard about "Total Recall 2070". In fact, even in the U.S. it isn't properly released. This DVD released as "Machine Dreams" is only the pilot version of a now cancelled one season Canadian sci-fi television show. Generic cop, David Hume, played by Michael Easton, is hunting self aware androids, when his extremely creepy partner is gunned down. The first minute this guy appears on the screen, I figured he was the villain, but no he is killed and Detective Hume is on the case to avenge his partner, while solving the mystery of why these Androids were in this building and why they are acting the way they are. Along the way he gets a new partner, who he of course disapproves of, but learns to get along with.
While there are some similarities to the original movie, there aren't a lot, and this film is closer to "Blade Runner" than it is "Total Recall". I believe "Machine Dreams" is closer to the image Philip K. Dick wanted to portray with the story, but alas it is not as classic as the original movie. The production value is surprisingly good for late 90's Canadian low budget sci-fi. The settings will never rival "Blade Runner" but what does really? My only real complaint is the acting and script, which certainly doesn't rank among the worst. It is a shame this series has not gotten a proper release in my country. Sadly, I will wait till a complete series dvd edition is released. For now I must cope with America's sup par release and hope for a better day that I can watch all 22 episodes.
*3 Lance Approvals*
Lance thinks this is a classic example of decent science fiction. Although he thinks he plays a much better Android than Karl Pruner.
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