This episode of The Deja Review, Mart & Trev strap themselves into the memory machine for Total Recall (1990) and its 2012 remake — and only one of them leaves with their sanity intact.

They kick off with the 1990 original, a glorious, sweaty, one-liners-per-minute sci-fi masterpiece where Arnold blows up Mars, mutates half the cast, and still finds time to crack jokes. Mart and Trev are all in — practical effects, exploding heads, and Michael Ironside giving the greatest “I will absolutely kill you, Douglas Quaid” performance in the history of eyebrows.

They also go on a nostalgic tangent about their shared love of the 1980s TV series V, where Michael Ironside was so intense he felt like he was trying to overthrow an alien empire in every scene — which, to be fair, he was.

Then they hit the 2012 remake, where Colin Farrell runs through a very shiny, very clean future while everyone forgets to put any fun in the script. Mart shrugs: “It’s fine… I guess?” while Trev insists Colin Farrell's performance is commendable despite the story.

Expect rants about missing Mars, debates over whether three-breasted women are a required plot device, and a surprisingly lengthy discussion about Michael Ironside.

By the end, the verdict is clear:

The original is a glorious sci-fi fever dream…

The remake is just having one without the fever — or the dream — or Michael Ironside.

Two long time friends, one podcast.

This is The Deja Review.

Enjoy the episode and remember to like, follow and tell your friends.

As always a massive thank you to Little Foil Fish for our theme tune - ⁠ ⁨@LittleFoilFish⁩

⁠

Mart & Trev

YouTube - ⁠ @TheDejaReview

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Deja Review Podcast

00:56 Exploring Total Recall: A Nostalgic Journey

06:43 Philip K. Dick's Influence on Sci-Fi Cinema

12:25 Special Effects: Then and Now

18:31 Character Dynamics and Actor Relationships

22:36 The 2012 Remake: A Different Take on Total Recall

31:36 Exploring Memories and Scars

32:06 Action Sequences and References

33:02 Grounding the Story: Earth vs Mars

34:14 Plot Holes and Character Changes

36:08 Stats, Errors, and Enjoyability

38:04 The Impact of the Title on Success

39:03 Comparing Lead Actors

41:01 Supporting Characters: A Comparison

42:54 Original vs Remake: A Preference

43:51 Michael Ironside: A Retrospective

46:38 5 to 1: Michael Ironside

01:00:30 Upcoming Films and Holiday Specials

01:02:35 Episode Blooper

Keywords

Total Recall, movie review, remakes, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Philip K. Dick, sci-fi films, special effects, character analysis, nostalgia, film comparison, Total Recall, film review, Michael Ironside, action sequences, movie comparison, plot holes, character analysis, original vs remake, cinematic legacy, holiday films, Colin Farrell

This episode on The Deja Review, Mart & Trev hop aboard a flying camper van to revisit Escape to Witch Mountain (1975) and its 2009 remake Race to Witch Mountain — two Disney sci-fi adventures separated by 34 years and about 300% more Dwayne Johnson.

Mart adored the original as a kid — he remembered it as magical, mysterious, and full of adventure. Watching it now, he spends the first 25 minutes trying to work out what on Earth (or space) is actually happening. Meanwhile, Trev’s convinced it’s less witch mountain and more an onslaught of bad theremin playing.

Then it’s on to the 2009 remake, where The Rock is a taxi driver who accidentally picks up two teenage aliens with more special effects and no harmonica. Mart’s quietly impressed, but Trev’s fixated on one burning question: did the train driver survive that crash?

Expect alien antics, glowing orbs, government goons, and Trev muttering, “I miss when Disney made sense.”

By the end, they agree: the 1975 film is charmingly bonkers; the 2009 one is louder, faster, and probably still owes that train driver an apology.

Two long time friends, one podcast.

This is The Deja Review.

Enjoy the episode and remember to like, follow and tell your friends.

As always a massive thank you to Little Foil Fish for our theme tune - ⁠ @LittleFoilFish

⁠Mart & Trev Instagram - ⁠ @TheDejaReview

TIMESCALE

00:00 Introduction to Deja Review

02:09 Exploring Escape to Witch Mountain

19:49 Transition to Race to Witch Mountain

20:47 Comparing the Original and the Remake

39:16 5 to 1: Carla Gugino

Keywords

Deja Review, movie remakes, Escape to Witch Mountain, Race to Witch Mountain, Disney films, film analysis, podcast, movie discussion, nostalgia, film comparison

#WitchMountain #DisneyClassics #FilmReview #thedejareview #cinematichistory #filmcritique #moviepodcast #moviereview #movielovers #podcastrecommendations #movieremakes #filmanalysis #podcast #stormtrooperbeer #19crimeswine

This episode of The Deja Review, Mart & Trev go glamping at Camp Crystal Lake, the only holiday spot where the blood runs faster than the Wi-Fi.

They start with Friday the 13th (1980) — the classic that invented the “don’t have fun or you’ll die” rule. Mart watches another classic horror movie for the first time and notices: fog, fear, and a mum with more rage issues than an 80's Tennis player. Trev’s in nostalgic heaven, calling it “a masterclass in low-budget menace… and poor career choices.”

Then they tackle the 2009 remake, where Jason finally emerges — taller, buffer, and apparently moonlighting as an Olympic-level archer. Mart enjoys the chaos “He’s basically an evil Bear Grylls” Trev’s not convinced: “It’s less a film and more a pilot episode for CSI: Crystal Lake.” He spends most of the discussion demanding for Dean Winchester turn up and save his brother from the movie.

Expect campsite chaos, Mart’s suspicious enthusiasm for power-tool-based deaths, and Trev’s growing sense that the lake needs draining — permanently.

Two long time friends, one podcast.

This is The Deja Review.

Enjoy the episode and remember to like, follow and tell your friends.

As always a massive thank you to Little Foil Fish for our theme tune - ⁠ @LittleFoilFish ⁠

Mart & Trev

Instagram - ⁠ @TheDejaReview ​

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Deja Review and Spooky Season

00:54 Exploring Friday the 13th: Origins and Impact

03:48 Background and Synopsis of Friday the 13th

05:41 Horror Tropes and Practical Effects

10:30 Iconic Death Scenes and Special Effects

14:47 Character Analysis and Plot Development

19:58 The Ending and Its Significance

23:20 Transition to the Remake of Friday the 13th

27:51 Overview of the 2009 Remake

31:58 Comparing the Original and the Remake

33:56 Nostalgia and the Evolution of Horror Films

36:19 Character Development and Method Acting in Horror

39:38 Pacing and Storytelling in Remakes

42:49 The Impact of CGI vs Practical Effects

45:41 Franchise Expectations and Audience Reception

49:05 Comparative Analysis of Horror Icons

51:28 5 to 1: Kevin Bacon

01:06:22 Upcoming Projects and Future Endeavours

Keywords

Friday the 13th, horror films, slasher genre, practical effects, Kevin Bacon, movie remakes, iconic death scenes, horror tropes, film analysis, Deja Review, Jason, Jason Voorhees, Jared Padalecki, Derek Mears, Danielle Panabaker