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 | cryonics | pilot | 

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Taglines:

In the year 2032, Simon Phoenix escapes from prison, on the verge of bringing crime to San Angeles. One man is called back to duty as a last resort. They call him... THE DEMOLITION MAN.

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Genres:

Action | Crime | Sci-Fi | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

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

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

Did You Know?

Trivia

According to Denis Leary, Sylvester Stallone had his own driving range and golf pro on-set. Stallone approached him in full costume and invited him to shoot some holes. Leary declined the offer, but was shown playing golf in The Simpsons: Lost Verizon (2008).

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Goofs

When Spartan goes against Phoenix in the beginning of the movie, there are barrels lined up along the wall labeled 'C-4' (Composition 4, aka plastic explosive). C-4 is not stored in barrels, and C-4 will not detonate because of fire (as is suggested). If you set C-4 on fire, it burns just like wood - it needs to have a detonator implanted and triggered in order to explode.

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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 german TV Version, wich is rated "not under 12" is cut for violence (about 5 minutes). The Video and DVD releases (rated "not under 16") are uncut.

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Connections

Referenced in Bad Movie Beatdown: The Specialist (2010)

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Soundtracks

Plop, Plop, Fizz, Fizz
Written by Tom Dawes and Bob Wilvers
Courtesy of Miles, Inc.

User Reviews

an action classic!!

This movie features Sly Stallone at his muscle bound, destructive best. Around the same time he did the excellent Cliffhanger he also did this nifty action flick. What you get with Demolition man is an entertaining and satirical look at the future of Los Angeles where people walk about in robes and are a peace loving society. Anything remotely bad for you, including spicy foods, is illegal and the whole new system is run by Raymond Cochtoe played by the late Nigal Hawthorne. The opening action scene is set in the present day and is a rip roaring sequence with Stallone polishing off bad guys with stylish flair, before he has a face off with the show stealer Wesley Snipes. Snipes plays the baddest of bad guys Simon Phoenix and does so excellently. The films pacing is good and in particular there are three big action sequences that shine, these are the opening and the end as well as a very good action scene set in a museum. The comedy factor is high in this film and the film certainly has tongue fastened firmly in cheek. The two leads are very good and in particular Snipes revels in his nasty role. Sandra Bullock is good as the gratuitous attractive lady you get in practically all action films. All in all this is a great way to spend 90 or so minutes and is certainly how I would like to remember Sly Stallone, in his action prime. 9/10