Watch Demolition Man
- R
- 1993
- 1 hr 55 min
-
6.7 (197,552)
In the year 1996, Los Angeles is engulfed in rampant crime and chaos. In response, LAPD officer John Spartan (Sylvester Stallone) leads a mission to apprehend Simon Phoenix (Wesley Snipes), a psychopathic criminal responsible for numerous atrocities. However, things take a turn for the worse when Spartan's tactics cause massive collateral damage, leading to him and Phoenix being cryogenically frozen as a means of punishment.
Fast forward to the year 2032, and the world has transformed drastically. Crime has been virtually eliminated, and society has become overly sanitized and politically correct. In this new world, Phoenix is thawed out and escapes from his prison, prompting the authorities to turn to Spartan, the only person who has experience dealing with him.
In order to cope with this strange new world, Spartan is paired up with Officer Lenina Huxley (Sandra Bullock), who has an almost obsessive fascination with the violent, chaotic days of old. Together, they must navigate this new, sterile world to track down Phoenix and prevent him from causing further destruction.
As Spartan attempts to adjust to this new society, he finds himself questioning the effectiveness of this new way of life, with its strict adherence to laws and regulations, and wonders whether it's possible to have true freedom without a little chaos.
Demolition Man is a science-fiction action movie that delves into the implications of a society that is too controlled and pacified. It explores the relationship between order and chaos, and whether it's possible to have too much of the former. While it is a high-concept movie with some over-the-top action sequences, it also has an underlying commentary on the nature of society and individual freedom.
One of the film's most notable strengths is its cast. Stallone is in top form as John Spartan, a rough-and-tumble cop who finds himself out of his element in this new world. Snipes is delightfully over-the-top as the villainous Simon Phoenix, bringing a manic energy to his scenes. And Bullock, in one of her breakthrough roles, is charming and quirky as the idealistic Lenina Huxley, providing some much-needed levity to the film.
The film's production design is also noteworthy, as it creates a detailed and immersive world that feels both futuristic and familiar. From the architecture of the buildings to the design of the cars, every element is crafted with care to create a cohesive vision of the future.
While the action sequences are certainly a highlight of the movie, they are not the sole focus. The film explores the themes of control and freedom in a measured way, never becoming too preachy or heavy-handed. This balance between action and commentary is what allows Demolition Man to stand the test of time, remaining an enjoyable and thought-provoking watch over twenty years after its release.
In conclusion, Demolition Man is a fun and entertaining action movie that also offers a compelling commentary on the nature of society and individual freedom. With a strong cast, creative production design, and a smart script, it remains a standout in the sci-fi genre.
Demolition Man is a 1993 crime movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 55 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.7 and a MetaScore of 34.