Plot: With innocent victims caught in the crossfire in Los Angeles’ intensifying war on crime, both cop John Spartan (Sylvester Stallone) and violent thug Simon Phoenix (Wesley Snipes) are sentenced to a state of frozen incarceration known as “CryoPrison.” When Spartan is finally thawed 36 years later, it’s 2032, and Los Angeles is now a pacifist utopia called San Angeles. But with Phoenix again on the loose, Spartan must team up with future cop Lenina (Sandra Bullock) to apprehend the killer.
Demolition Man has turned 25 years old and still stands out as one of Stallone’s finest hours; the humour is still relevant today as much of what was predicted has come true. You aren’t allowed to smoke in the majority of places and most importantly political correctness has gone out of control where you can’t say anything without someone getting offended. Thankfully, we haven’t started to use the three sea shells… which we never found out how to use but I imagine it would have been rather painful.
Taco Bell is still around however, it hasn’t become the dominant food chain… yet. Have you actually had their fries supreme though? Sooo good!
Anyway, the film opens with one of the most spectacular scenes in action movie history and to this day still impresses as John Spartan arrives in a huge chopper in an apocalyptic looking LA to take down his nemesis Simon Phoenix. Things of course don’t go as planned as Spartan is blamed for the deaths of several civilians and incarcerated in cryosleep for many years.
Wesley Snipes has one of his finest hours as the Joker-esque Simon Phoenix who cackles his way through this pussified future causing his own special brand of chaos.
Stallone mocks his tough guy image and the best moments of this movie are when he and Phoenix are trading blows and insults; “You’re on TV!” being a particular favourite.
Sandra Bullock is at her most appealing in this movie as a bored cop in this “perfect” future who just wants to see some action; she gets her wish and I love how her character enjoys car chases rather than being squealing and annoying which she would end up being in Speed.
Denis Leary has one of his best on-screen rants in this movie and will always be one of my favourite comedians; I liked how he ended up being a hero in this rather than the expected villain which was a nice turnaround.
The script is hilarious and the effects are still impressive making the movie still stand the test of time very well. There is plenty of action although it’s a shame the much discussed fight between Stallone and Jessie Ventura didn’t make the final cut.
After 25 years Demolition Man still stands up as one of Stallone’s very best movies with a hilarious script, entertaining villain and spectacular action scenes. Mellow greetings, sir. What seems to be your boggle?
