Production note The film was reportedly the second most expensive movie ever made at the time, with a budget discussed as roughly $50–65 million.
Production note Arnold negotiated unusually strong control, including veto power over producers, director, screenplay, co-stars, and promotion.
Production note The production used Mexico City locations and large practical sets over months of shooting.
Production note The three-breasted hooker was named Mary and was reportedly supposed to have four breasts before the design was reduced to three.
Production note The film was initially rated X for violence and had to be cut down.
Production note Marshall Bell both played George and supplied Quato’s voice.
Production note Sharon Stone posed nude for Playboy around the film’s release.
The Fugitive Used to describe the relentless middle-act chase energy after Recall.
RoboCop Mentioned as Paul Verhoeven’s earlier film that drew Arnold to work with him and as Ronnie Cox’s other famous bad-guy role.
Terminator Cited as an earlier Arnold movie whose effects and popularity helped define his persona.
Terminator 2 Used as the moment when movie effects and Arnold’s stardom shift to a new level.
Commando Referenced as a key Arnold movie where the self-parody/loner action persona becomes more obvious.
Twins Cited as the comedy turn that proved Arnold could carry a different kind of movie.
Basic Instinct Referenced as the Verhoeven/Sharon Stone follow-up built from her Total Recall performance.
Road House Used as a comparison point for the evolution of action-movie physicality.
John Wick Used to contrast modern technical action with 1980s brute-force action.
The Martian Mentioned while debating which film is Mars’ true apex mountain.
