115 Minutes

Directed By: Marco Brambilla

Written By: Peter M. Lenkov and Robert Reneau

Staring: Sylvestor Stallone, Wesley Snipes, Sandra Bullock, Nigel Hawthorne, Denis Leary, and Benjamin Bratt

Send a maniac to catch a maniac. -John Spartan

Synopsis

A cop is brought out of suspended animation in prison to pursue an old ultra-violent enemy who is loose in a nonviolent future society.

Review

When talking about original conceptions in film, Demolition Man balances fresh new ideals with a non-stop action packed science fiction story that also happens to be filled with some of the best Stallone/Snipes moments ever on screen. Like only a small handful of films before it, Demolition Man really caters to the concept of marrying science fiction and action together. When it’s done properly you end up with something far above the standards of a film in either genre. This film comes off as a cut and dry action movie with little to offer, but that perception is absolutely the contrary.

Letting Snipes play the bad guy in this was an excellent suggestion. His overwhelming personality and charisma makes his character, “a maniac” refreshing, absurd, and wickedly dangerous all at once. Stallone playing his brooding counterpart really took advantage of his dry sense of humor, exploited his muscular attributes, and basically went nuts letting his character, John Spartan, blow stuff up.

While it seems on the surface Demolition Man is nothing more than an indulgent action film, there is surprisingly a lot more going on. Mirroring many socialist and political feelings and theories, there is the sense that there is definitely more depth than the flash and bang persona the movie initially gives off. The action never stops in this story, but the world continues to develop itself and create even more complexity for the story. There was a really nice balance of science fiction and action utilized.

The set is fantastical. This new world where every restaurant is Taco Bell and no weapons or curse words exist is enjoyable to look at, but three dimensional enough that it comes off as a plausible universe. Thenaivete of Bullocks character really reflects the new world most profoundly. Her openness and curiosity about the way things used to be is really a clear representation of the true nature of the race of humans. Even though her character is profoundly annoying at times, as Bullock often is, the viewer gets to hope she gets hit in the crossfire, and there becomes a lot of crossfire.

There was a lot to love about Demolition Man, but when it boils down to it, there is a serious action flick and a science fiction adventure happening. With original ideas, a world never before imagined, but realized, it even fifteen years later is a truly exciting movie. The chemistry between Snipes and Stallone is just plain and simply awesome. This is the kind of movie we go to the theatre and hope to see. Go out, don’t blink, and just buy this one. You’ll find yourself laughing and sitting on the edge of your seat with no desire to do otherwise.

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