DEMOLITION MAN (1993)

Directed By: Marco Brambilla 
Written By: Daniel Waters, Peter M. Lenkov & Robert Reneau 
Story By: Peter M. Lenkov & Robert Reneau 
Cinematography By: Alex Thomson 
Editor: Stuart Baird 


Cast: Sylvester Stallone, Wesley Snipes, Sandra Bullock, Nigel Hawthorne, Benjamin Bratt, Glen Shadix, Denis Leary, Bob Gunton, Bill Cobbs, Jack Black, Jesse Ventura, Andre Gregory 


Frozen in 1996, Simon Phoenix, a convicted crime lord, is revived for a parole hearing well into the 21st century. Revived into a society free from crime, Phoenix resumes his murderous rampage, and no one can stop him. John Spartan, the police officer who captured Phoenix in 1996, has also been cryogenically frozen, this time for a crime he did not commit. In 2032, the former cities of Los Angeles, San Diego and Santa Barbara have merged into peaceful, utopian San Angeles. Unable to stop him with their non-violent solutions, the police release Spartan to help recapture Phoenix. Now after 36 years, Spartan has to adapt himself to the future society he has no knowledge about.


This film I am at a loss of words on how to describe. So bad it's good a guilty pleasure that exhibits so many things that should be questioned and could be improved upon even when it was made. So ridiculous though it works especially for the time period though kind of feels like a spoof of itself In certain aspects as watching it. it plays more like a comedy and not unintentionally even if at times it seems forced.

As even before we get to the future the films modern for the time action sequences seemed over the top and silly. As it seems like Sylvester Stallone was still trying to make 80's type films in the 90's where he lost his way. He starred in the last of them DAYLIGHT which was actually really good. At least to me then he seemed to try more thrillers and open up himself to a degree even if the films were pretty basic with films like assassins and the specialist. He was still carrying that 80's feel but was trying on more thrillers before going the indie route for a few films like Copland which actually made it to theaters and shade, eye see you, As long as he stayed away from intentional comedies though he did appear in BURN HOLLYWOOD BURN.

This film seems to be a model in Excess action big budgeted movies at the time. That have very little reason to be that way other then wanting to just put on a grand show. By having two superstars face against each other and never team up. The film was originally set to star Jean Claude Van Damme and Steven Segal before each turned it down for their own reasons.

Sylvester Stallone has always been a mystery to me. He has the hard history of being a struggling actor and as he had the physique was one of the first action film heroes but even Rambo At Least has some Drama and psychology until the second one and then Stallone seemed to just make action films on auto drive and not really care about the quality but you knew he could be a good actor, but even when pumping out sequels to Rocky you wondered what happened or what was he thinking and hoping the next non rocky film would be the one to return him to making good movies. I mean there was. I doubt he was a star but seemed not to have as many memorable non-franchise roles yet was Arnold Schwartzenegger refers main competition though schwartzenegger’s films were actually good and you felt a good return on your investment.

It's funny when films were cheaper you had more cinematic classic memories and now as expensive as they are Hollywood barely produces anything truly special or memorable as often. 60% feels disposable at times.

It's highly entertaining. As it is a high concept idea. Satarizing what a peaceful world would be like though it is mildly disturbing that this film finds fault with a peaceful society. Obviously wanting more of the vices and freedoms of For this film the old times. Hopefully there would be a mediation.

Dennis Rodman supposedly coped the look of Wesley snipes character for his iconic sense of fashion with the blonde hair. Even though Wesley snipes looks like the menacing villain the movie meteor man was missing. Now it seems like rapper Kanye west has also taken the look lately. Actually Wesley Snipes wasn’t even the first choice for his role. Stallone wanted Jackie Chan to play the role. Even though As always Snipes seem to relish in his role.

It is a striking sense of fashion why he has football shoulder pads as well as all the other villains is one of those aspects that you wonder about Denis Leary as the leader of the resistance though says he isn't a leader seems perfectly cast like the role was written more for him. It wasn’t but after he was cast they let him rant and kept it in the movie.

Obviously product placement galore with the one gleaming memory of Taco Bell being the biggest and mains restaurants in the world. Shows you they paid top dollar for that. Though it only adds to the ridiculous air that his film puts forth.

This is another big role for Sandra Bullock who was cast last minute replacing Lori Petty. Though she doesn't make a huge impact it does give us her patented girl next door cuteness and comedic timing.

The film is a marvel of big ideas and I'll conceived planning that stays entertaining and a perfect model of 90's Hollywood productions. As it feels like a waste of money throughout, but never quite feels like it went as big as it should have. Especially for all of it's supposed cutting edge design and head smacking decisions.

Like Nigel Hawthorne picking more of a notorious killer/terrorist to take down the leader of a rebellious force. Who seem to be pretty non-violent and are more about protesting. When he could have just chosen any criminal. So not only do we have this guy running around but now to counter him his equally destructive nemesis hero. Who does what is expected but the people who unfreeze him find this shocking. As I guess they thought they could control the situation? Which of course would have left us with not really a movie.

Like setting up Nigel Hawthorne as the villain with a clause as to why he can't be killed by Wesley snipes but quickly by passing it and taking him out of the film. As he never really felt that imposing and leaving it to Wesley snipes to pick up the ball as he has been doing most of the work anyway. Making him the villain again but disappointing in Joe easily he is defeated. Though at least can give Snipes credit as he is the most entertaining and charismatic villain Stallone has faced. So that you are a little disappointed by his demise but it is what the film and it's running time demands.

I am sure this film aims to make some more satirical points, but they are lost upon impact.

I even wish Marco Brambilla would have a chance to make more studio movies as this seems to be his masterpiece. Especially compared to his other film EXCESS BAGGAGE with Alicia Silverstone. Which the nicest things I can say about are a good cast and very colorful. Just like this film which I like the design and construction of as far as the background, sets and costumes. The direction is interesting. Though partly written by Daniel waters. This is a film that could have used a bit more time refining the screenplay, bit then again if they did. It wouldn't be as memorable for the way it is.

I hope someday they release a director's cut or some kind of cut that puts in the subplot of his daughter still alive in the future and he is reunited with her even though she is now older than him. Which I can understand why they cut as it would be a. If dramatic moment and mess up the flow and leave him with more to lose or st least more of a vulnerability when he is in beast mode in taking down Wesley snipes character.

This is a film that has to be seen to be believed and as long as you don't think too hard can be enjoyed for all the ridiculousness it leaves us with. At best this film works as a guilty pleasure. As it is definitely a fun ride throughout.

Grade: C+