Demolition Man (1993)

A police officer is brought out of suspended animation in prison to pursue an old ultra-violent nemesis who is loose in a non-violent future society.

Director:

Marco Brambilla

Writers:

Peter M. Lenkov (story), Robert Reneau (story)

Stars:

Sylvester Stallone, Wesley Snipes, Sandra Bullock

1 win & 7 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Sylvester Stallone	...	John Spartan
Wesley Snipes	...	Simon Phoenix
Sandra Bullock	...	Lenina Huxley
Nigel Hawthorne	...	Dr. Raymond Cocteau
Benjamin Bratt	...	Alfredo Garcia
Bob Gunton	...	Chief George Earle
Glenn Shadix	...	Associate Bob
Denis Leary	...	Edgar Friendly
Grand L. Bush	...	Zachary Lamb - Young
Pat Skipper	...	Helicopter Pilot
Steve Kahan	...	Captain Healy
Paul Bollen	...	T.F.R. Officer
Mark Colson	...	Warden William Smithers - Young
Andre Gregory	...	Warden William Smithers - Aged
John Enos III	...	Prisoner (as John Enos)

Storyline

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.

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Plot Keywords:

year 2032 | totalitarianism | censorship | cyberpunk | cryonics | 

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Taglines:

In the 21st Century, the police aren't equipped to handle Simon Phoenix. Their only chance has a name: John Spartan. But are HE and the 21st Century equipped to handle each other?

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Genres:

Action | Sci-Fi | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for non-stop action violence, and for strong language

Did You Know?

Trivia

(at around 1h 40 mins) Though the movie was released in 1993, Simon Phoenix and John Spartan were supposed to have been imprisoned in the cryo-prison in 1996. When Phoenix releases the other cryo-prisoners, he makes a reference to serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer. Dahmer was killed in prison on November 28,1994, after the film's release but before the cryo-prison would have been built.

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Goofs

When Spartan was unfrozen, Huxley said that gasoline was illegal. Gasoline typically lasts six months, but the Oldsmobile starts up without a problem after sitting for years.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Zachary Lamb - Young: Remember when they used to let commercial airlines land in this town?
Helicopter Pilot: Yeah. Well, I don't understand where we're going, or why the hell we're bothering anyhow.

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Alternate Versions

The TBS Superstation broadcasts omit the scene where Spartan eats a hamburger made of rat meat, possibly due to a major fast food chain being a sponsor of the broadcast.

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Connections

References Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977)

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Soundtracks

The Armour Hot Dog Jingle
Courtesy of Armour Swift Eckrich

User Reviews

FUTURISTIC HIGH COMEDY!

Sylvester Stallone was really beside himself when he took this film. Instead of trying to be the tough guy, he sort of made fun of his pre-existing persona in his role as John Spartan. Funny, and satirical of a gun-free society, it just proves that peace doesn't necessarily result in the most diverse range of self expression. The humor in the film was exceptional, and Wesley Snipes was great as Simon Phoenix. This also proved to be my favorite film with Sandra Bullock, who subsequently destroyed her career thereafter. This movie will always be good for a laugh, especially for the characters singing all of the commercial jingles.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

8 October 1993 (USA)

Also Known As:

Demolition Man

Filming Locations:

Park Place Office Campus - 3345 Michelson Drive, Irvine, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$57,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$14,262,432, 10 October 1993

Gross USA:

$58,055,768

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$58,055,768

Company Credits

Production Co:

Warner Bros., Silver Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

115 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Stereo (4 channels)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1