Demolition Man [1993]

John Spartan is a cop who has been on the trail of master criminal Simon Phoenix for two years, and when he finally does catch him, the building that they are in blows up killing thirty or so innocent people. Of course Spartan is blamed for the incident, resulting in him being incarcerated in a cryogenic prison for thirty odd years.

Finally he is released in the next century, in the year 2032 where the world is very different. All harmful things have been made illegal; smoking, drinking, contact sports, and even salt etc, sex has become a non contact affair as well (much to the dismay of Spartan) and people even recieve criminal credits for swearing, somthing that Spartan (and phoenix) get a lot of.

The reason for his early release is so that he can once again catch Phoenix who has escaped from the cryogenic facility and is causeing havok in the streets of the new San Angeles (San Dieago and LA have merged). None of the police force can handle him and only the outmoded ways of John Spartan and the help of Lenina Huxley to show him the new ways, can save the city from certain peril.

Stallone is perfect in his role as the tough 'old fashioned' cop who is released from Cryosleep to help the new SAPD. A blonde Wesly Snipes is also brillaint in his role as the heartless criminal Simon Phoenix who starts a meaningless rampage through the city. Originally Stallone wanted Jackie Chan to play this role, however he turned it down as he did not like playing bad guys.

However both stars work very well together, producing some very exciting fight scenes, Snipes being a black belt, and Stallone's experience from the Rocky films helping them. In fact Wesley Snipes was so fast on camera that the producers had to ask him to slow down as he was too much of a blurr.

Of course, lets not forget Sandra Bullock who replaced Lori Petty after a few days filming, and is very well suited to her role as Lenina Huxley, and helped to bring that vital mixture of comedy into the film with her studies of the past. Both her and Stallone work well on-screen together with the scene in her apartment being a great laugh. Benjamin Bratt played Alfredo Garcia who is named after the Sam Pekinpah Film, 'Bring me the Head of Alfredo Garcia' from 1974.

As regards to the extras on this DVD, unfortunately there are none what so ever bar scene selection, interactive menus and subtitles, theres not even a trailer. This is a shame as a featurette or a behind the scenes documentary would have been nice for some of the die hard fans. However for the time being we'll just have to make do with the wonderful film itself.

Overall though, 'Demolition Man' is brilliant action packed movie, just what you would expect from a Stallone, or even a Wesley Snipes movie. A treat for fans of both stars or just action and/or sci-fi fans in general and with just the right mixture of comedy and action i highly recommend it to all!


SANDRA BULLOCK STEALS THE SHOW...   December 9, 2002
Lawyeraau (Balmoral Castle)
12 out of 13 found this review helpful

This is an enormously entertaining film that is slyly intelligent, chock full of action, and quite humorous. The time is the future, 2032 AD, the location is California, and the police just ain't what they used to be, as the future is a sanitized, politically correct world, where only the most benign behavior is the standard by which all live. Even bad language is a no no. The police of the future have nothing in common with the police of the past. Guns are outlawed, as is all physical violence. Los Angeles is no more, having merged with San Diego into a new entity known as San Angeles, which is ruled by the architect of this new society, Dr. Raymond Cocteau, who is played with sage aplomb by the late Nigel Hawthorne. He is not, however, all that he seems.

This is, indeed, a "brave, new, world" and Lenina Huxley, played with delicious comic abandon by Sandra Bullock, is a police woman who waxes nostalgic for the past. The LAPD is now the SAPD. Her colleague, Alfredo Garcia, played with Eagle Scout earnestness by Benjamin Bratt, epitomizes the new order of things. He is a dudley do right without the wherewithal to set right what is soon to go wrong. His is a future where everyone's whereabouts are known to the police, as all are tagged with a device that allows the police to monitor their whereabouts. His is a future where all obey instantly and civility is the standard of the day. His is a future where all address each other by their full names. His is a future where meat is no longer a food item, the use of salt is illegal, and corporate franchise wars have left Taco Bell to reign supreme as THE restaurant. His is a future where sex is a non-contact activity.

The violent past intrudes on this sanitized future in the persona of Simon Phoenix, played with over the top abandon by a blond Wesley Snipes, who, like a phoenix arising out of the ashes, is freed from his cryogenic prison and unleashed upon an unprepared SAPD. Clueless in the face of such testosterone charged violence, the SAPD arrange to have twentieth century super lawman John Spartan (Sylvester Stallone) released from his cryogenic prison in hopes that he will be able to deal with the chaotic nature of Simon Phoenix and stop his senselessly violent rampage. Lenina Huxley is teamed up with Spartan in order to help him adjust to this brave new world. She is over the top with happiness at this development, as her fondness for nostagia will be sated by the opportunity to get up close and personal with a blast from the past.

Needless to say, Spartan and Phoenix clash, as old warriors are wont to do. There is enough violence, mayhem, and action to satisfy the most die hard fans of this genre. What happens does not fail to disappoint, as old scores are settled, inequitable situations are righted, and a brave new world gets a little fine tuning for the better. This action flick, sci-fi crossover does not fail to entertain, and it does so more intelligently than most films in this genre. Make no mistake, however, while Wesley Snipes gives her a run for her money, it is Sandra Bullock who steals the show with her drolly delivered dialogue, her deft comedic timing, and innate charm. Sylvester Stallone, as wooden as ever, is not even a blip on the radar.


Action with Irony   March 10, 2004
Graham Clews
10 out of 10 found this review helpful

When this movie was released, it went head-to-head with Slys old rival Arnie, and his 'Last Action Hero'. Sly won. Not only with box office, but with the critics too. Where Arnie's effort was far too souless, the real joy in DM is the irony and comic elements. Watching Sly's traditional screen persona get shot down and ridiculed at every turn, must have been terrific fun for him. The action is good, the story is ok. Its the design and small ideas that win through. The 'no contact' sex helmets, the music charts being old commercial jingles and, best of all, the President Schwarzenegger Memorial Library (not as ridiculous these days!!).
All very clever and witty. Sly is terrific, relaxed and cool. Sandra looks like heaven and its a great piece of intelligent escapism. Give it a go.


Absolute Genius   July 19, 2003
Martin J (Denbigh,North Wales)
8 out of 8 found this review helpful

I dont know how people can review this film so badly,it is a classic action film.Wesley Snipes is cast in his perfect role and is brilliant in this film,and along with Stallone,provide lots of fantastic fight scenes.The Story may be a bit far fetched considering it doesnt look too far into the future,but that doesnt take anything away from this film.Sandra Bullock is also great in this film,and provides many very funny moments.It is a brilliant film which gets the balance of action and comedy just right,and is a must for any fan of good films.Buy this!


Funny, Underrated Film   July 6, 2006
A. Hardy (Rowley Regis, West Midlands United Kingdom)
8 out of 8 found this review helpful

I loved this film. Stallone's comments upon finding out about Arnold Scwarzenegger's having been president are comic. Dennis Leary is good as the leader of the underground rebel movement and Wesley Snipes is absolutely spot on as the completely amoral and psycopathic baddie. The film sparkles with loads of comic lines and Sandra Bullock's character's trying to use 20th Century sayings and getting them wrong is priceless. Well worth watching.