Demolition Man, directed by Marco Brambilla, is a sci-fi action film that is a solid addition to the impressive canon of fun and engaging action flicks from the ’90s.
In 1996, the film opens in Los Angeles, which has devolved into a lawless wasteland where violence and terror permeate every corner. Simon Phoenix (Wesley Snipes) is one of the worst crooks LA has ever seen, having kidnapped a busload of captives and hiding out in a deserted building. To save the hostages and bring down his arch-enemy, LA cop John Spartan (Sylvester Stallone), dubbed The Demolition Man due to the collateral damage he causes when apprehending criminals, follows and arrests Phoenix, but not before Phoenix burns down the building. While being hauled away, Phoenix convincingly lies to Spartan’s supervisor that Spartan was aware of the hostages but carried out the attack and burned down the facility, forcing both of them to be found guilty and sentenced to a cryogenic jail. In 2032, Los Angeles has grown into a megalopolis with a society that has undergone a radical transformation, going from violent to a seemingly peaceful utopia. Phoenix is revived since he is eligible for parole, but he escapes and begins wreaking havoc in a tranquil society. The police, including one Lenina Huxley (Sandra Bullock), are powerless to stop him because they have never dealt with violent crime. As a result, Spartan is resurrected to face Phoenix and bring him down again.
The plot of Demolition Man is straightforward and, for the most part, predictable; however, this is more than made up for by the film’s fascinating futuristic setting and engaging characters. A few plot points are gradually revealed at the appropriate times, such as why Phoenix can decipher all the computer codes to escape from the cryo-prison and how the prisoners there aren’t actually frozen but exposed to rehabilitation techniques—a process that has different effects on Phoenix and Spartan.
Following his resurrection, Spartan is taken aback by the new global order. Consequently, his attempts to navigate the new world result in several humorous moments. For example, he finds out cursing is illegal and prints a receipt saying your account will be fined one credit for each curse. Then, he intentionally swears to collect these fine receipts and use them as toilet paper. Another hilarious moment occurs when he tries to have sex with Huxley via a neural link because it is against the regulations and forbidden to make physical contact with the other person. And finally, when he craves meat—which isn’t allowed—he ends up eating a burger that contains rat meat—and happily devours it. When he teams up with Huxley, the film transforms into a buddy cop comedy, which works because Sandra Bullock and Stallone have excellent and natural chemistry and are genuinely adorable together.
Demolition Man’s satire is surprisingly timely and continues to be relevant today, as the future it depicts has already become a reality in some regions and is not far off in many other countries worldwide. In the guise of establishing a utopian society devoid of crime and violence, Cocteau (Nigel Hawthorne), who designed and runs this society, has established an absolute totalitarian regime. According to this regime, everyone can live in peace and harmony without asking questions that could cause even a minor conflict. The rules are stringent, and no one dares to question them, no matter how absurd they are. For example, in this regime, there is a ban on cussing, sex, abortion, and pregnancy can only be legal with a government license. Constant government surveillance ensures compliance and prohibits meat, spices, or salt. All these rules and regulations that most people have accepted blindly are allowed to live life, but those who dare to question them by exercising their freedom of speech and freedom of life are labeled Scraps and treated like outlaws, forced to live underground. As a result, how Spartan and even Phoenix perceive this new world and its rules, having come from a completely chaotic world where violence, crime, and corruption were rampant but people were free and democracy was alive, makes for an intriguing watch.
The film’s action sequences are exciting and expertly staged, capturing the blend of action-packed 90s blockbuster excitement with a futuristic setting. There is an impressive action sequence that takes place in the museum that makes excellent use of the location and has outstanding production design. Another highlight is the dynamic and well-executed car chase scene, in which one character drives an electric vehicle while the other drives a vintage car while constantly trash-talking; the intense animosity between Spartan and Phoenix and their desire to kill each other give the film intensity and energy.
As the psychotic maniac Simon Phoenix, Wesley Snipes delivers a standout performance, fully immersing himself in the character’s anarchy and giving it life with contagious energy. Additionally, Sandra Bullock gives a charming performance as Huxley, a history buff specializing in the 20th century and making an ideal sidekick to Stallone’s Spartan. Demolition Man strikes the perfect combination of action, comedy, and social commentary, creating an enjoyable cinematic experience.
Demolition Man movie links: Letterboxd, Wikipedia
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