More than 20 years after the original film adaptation, Len Wiseman and Kurt Wimmer tried their hand at a retelling of “Total Recall.” Loosely based on the short story “We Can Remember it for You Wholesale” by famed science fiction author Philip K. Dick, “Total Recall” tells the tale of Douglas Quaid and his dangerous mind-trip (or is it?) caused by a futuristic memory implant. After bad dreams and dissatisfaction with his simple and ordinary life, Quaid goes to the opium den-like Rekall Incorporated to escape reality with a memory-vacation of life as a super-spy. Something goes wrong, however, and he finds himself hunted by the government who believes he is indeed a super-spy and double agent.

Wiseman’s version of “Total Recall” is essentially an upgrade, where the actors and visuals are cleaned up and smoothed out with 20+ years of improved editing technology and a giant budget. But that’s really all that was improved over the original. Rather than a sci-fi classic with its bug-eyed visual excess, the new “Total Recall” stays safe by focusing on a plethora of action sequences that set it squarely within the territory of a summer blockbuster action flick. The result is that this version lacks not only Arnold, but also any personality.

While Colin Farrell is billed as the star of the film, it’s really Kate Beckinsale that feels like the central figure of the film. She propels the action as she hunts down Farrell, and the action is really the only thing that ties this movie together. The story, which relies so much on memory, imagination, and the perception of reality, is ultimately cast aside for the sake of watching Beckinsale be a badass much like her role in the “Underworld” series. The cinematography reflects this as well. Every action set piece focuses more on her pursuit than Farrell and Biel’s escape. Beckinsale clearly has the upper hand for the most of the movie, and gets the best sequences.

One of the most disappointing and lackluster elements of this film is that unlike its predecessor, the 2012 release has nothing to do with Mars. Instead, all of the action takes place on earth, as Quaid and his workmates commute through the molten core of the Earth on an impressive machine called The Fall. Is it cool? Yes. But regardless of how much of the planet has been ravaged by chemical warfare, the perceived threat of Government vs. Colony just isn’t as effective as the growing pains of a Martian colony. While it’s possible that this move was meant to be political allegory, whatever allegory it was going for is completely lost.

This take on “Total Recall” really has no surprises, nor does it keep you guessing like the original. It also lacks the heart, humor, and imagination of the 1990 version. It’s pretty to look at, but is jammed full of so much action that the science fiction elements of the story just barely exist. The futuristic machinery is just a vehicle for the action sequences, meaning that if you’ve seen the original and any other Beckinsale action movie, you’ve essentially already seen this. Your time is much better spent revisiting “Blade Runner” and “Inception.” And of course, the original version of “Total Recall.”