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Sylvester Stallone and Wesley Snipes go head-to-head in this classic sci-fi/action blockbuster from Joel Silver, the producer of Die Hard and The Matrix. In 2032, arch criminal Simon Phoenix (Snipes) awakens from a 35-year deep freeze in CryoPrison to find a world where crime is almost non-existent – a serene utopia ripe for the taking. With the police no longer equipped to deal with his 90s-style brutality, they revive ‘Demolition Man’ Sgt. John Spartan (Stallone), the no-holds-barred police officer unjustly sentenced to CryoPrison who originally took Phoenix down. Old-school cop against old-school criminal, settling their scores on the streets of San Angeles? The future won’t know what’s hit it. With a script co-written by Daniel Waters (Heathers, Batman Returns) and a supporting cast that includes Denis Leary, Benjamin Bratt, and Sandra Bullock in her breakout role, Demolition Man is an awesome mix of action and humor!

What We Thought:

I’ve been a huge fan of Demolition Man since it came out. Sylvester Stallone and Wesley Snipes were awesome together and to me it’s a classic up there with other action sci-fi flicks like Total Recall and The Running Man. Snipes brings a comedic element with his Simon Phoenix, but Stallone also gets laughs with his fish-out-of-water John Spartan who is unfrozen in a future he doesn’t relate to.

On paper it’s the classic good guy vs. bad guy situation with a twist of both characters being cryogenically frozen in time. Simon Phoenix is unfrozen for some reason (the film explains why as it unfolds) so they unfreeze John Spartan, the only man who is capable of capturing Phoenix once again. By making it a sci-fi future with current day men, the inability to use unfamiliar technology and customs is what makes it comedic. Spartan doesn’t know how to use the Three Seashells which is a scene (thanks to Rob Schneider) that got a huge revisit with the toiler paper shortage of 2020’s lockdown. Phoenix gets to use all kinds of new weapons and Spartan wants to get physical with Sandra Bullock’s character, but physical sex has been removed from society by that point. Stallone’s rough and rugged man’s man doesn’t fit in the new normal and comes across as a Neanderthal because of it.

It’s elements like that that make it more than just an action based sci-fi flick. Most great science fiction stories have an underlying message and Demolition Man does as well. Along with the one-liners and explosions it shows how different classes of people are seen. Denis Leary leads an underground people that the above ground people look down on and the film really is about social class standings. One group of “civilized” people literally believe there are others beneath them and it’s Spartan and his Neanderthal ways that relates more to Leary’s plight. Snipes is hilarious and there’s lot of kick butt action, but the audience can certainly relate to the haves and have-nots storyline.

This new 4K of Demolition Man looks and sounds fantastic. 4K and sci-fi is always a good mix and the noises of the future weapons and vehicles sounds great. The film has been restored from its original 35mm camera negative and it looks clean and crisp. I really thought it was a nice upgrade. The bonus features are great with multiple commentaries, interviews and more. As a fan of the movie there is a lot of fun stuff in the bonus features. The 4K is the best the film has looked since its release so if you are a fan of the movie then this is a must-own release.

Bonus Features:

  • Brand new 4K restoration from the original 35mm camera negative by Arrow Films, approved by director Marco Brambilla
  • Includes both the domestic “Taco Bell” and international “Pizza Hut” versions of the film presented via seamless branching
  • 4K Ultra HD (2160p) presentation in Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible)
  • Original lossless DTS-HD MA 5.1 and Dolby Atmos audio options
  • Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
  • Brand new audio commentary by director Marco Brambilla and screenwriter Daniel Waters
  • Brand new audio commentary by film historian Mike White of the Projection Booth podcast
  • Archive audio commentary by Marco Brambilla and producer Joel Silver
  • Demolition Design, a new interview with production designer David L. Snyder
  • Cryo Action, a new interview with stunt coordinator Charles Percini
  • Biggs’ Body Shoppe, a new interview with special make-up effects artist Chris Biggs
  • Tacos and Hockey Pucks, a new interview with body effects set coordinator Jeff Farley
  • Somewhere Over the Rambo, a new visual essay by film scholar Josh Nelson
  • Theatrical trailer
  • Image gallery
  • 60-page perfect bound collector’s book featuring new writing by film critics Clem Bastow, William Bibbiani, Priscilla Page and Martyn Pedler
  • Limited edition packaging featuring newly commissioned artwork by Laurie Greasley
  • Double-sided fold-out poster featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Laurie Greasley
  • 6 postcard sized artcards
  • ’Three Seashells’ and ‘Edgar Friendly graffiti’ stickers
  • Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Laurie Greasley

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