Demolition Man (1993)
71%RT Audience Score: 66%
Awards & Nominations: 1 win & 7 nominations
A better-than-average sci-fi shoot-em-up with a satirical undercurrent, Demolition Man is bolstered by strong performances by Sylvester Stallone, Wesley Snipes, and Sandra Bullock
Demolition Man is like a rollercoaster ride that starts off with a bang, but then loses its momentum halfway through. It’s a futuristic action-comedy that tries to be too many things at once, and ends up feeling like a mishmash of different genres. However, if you’re a fan of Sylvester Stallone and Wesley Snipes, you’ll probably enjoy their over-the-top performances. Just don’t expect too much from the plot or the supporting cast, especially poor Sandra Bullock who deserved better. Overall, it’s a fun popcorn flick that’s best enjoyed with a group of friends and a big bucket of buttered popcorn.
Production Company(ies)
Hecht-Lancaster Productions, Steven Productions,
Distributor
NA
Release Type
Theatrical
Filming Location(s)
Louisville, Kentucky, USA
MPAA / Certificate
Rated R for non-stop action violence, and for strong language
Year of Release
1993
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Color:Color
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Sound mix:Dolby
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Aspect ratio:2.35 : 1
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Runtime:NA
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Language(s):English
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Country of origin:United States
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Release date:Release Date (Streaming): Aug 15, 2000
Genre(s)
Action
Keyword(s)
starring Sylvester Stallone, Wesley Snipes, Sandra Bullock, Nigel Hawthorne, Benjamin Bratt, Bob Gunton, directed by Marco Brambilla, written by Peter M Lenkov, Daniel Waters, Robert Reneau, action, sci-fi, satirical, box office performance, budget, reviewed by David Ansen, Owen Gleiberman, Richard Schickel, Jonathan Rosenbaum, Emanuel Levy, Phillipa Bloom, Mikel Zorrilla, Mike Massie, Leigh Paatsch, Justin Brown, Brandon Collins, Sergio Benítez, produced by Joel Silver, Michael Levy, Howard G Kazanjian, R-rated, Los Angeles, CryoPrison, 2032, San Angeles, pacifist utopia, future cop, killer, innocent victims, John Spartan, Simon Phoenix, Lenina Huxley, Dr Raymond Cocteau, Alfredo Garcia, Chief George Earle, sci-fi shoot-em-up, strong performances
Worldwide gross: $58,055,768
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $120,596,645
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 933
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 13,151,215
US/Canada gross: $58,055,768
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $120,596,645
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 628
US/Canada opening weekend: $14,262,432
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $29,626,711
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 469
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): $57,000,000
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): $118,403,545
Production budget ranking: 316
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): $63,760,309
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): -$61,567,210
ROI to date (est.): -34%
ROI ranking: 1,590
Wesley Snipes – Simon Phoenix
Sandra Bullock – Lenina Huxley
Nigel Hawthorne – Dr. Raymond Cocteau
Benjamin Bratt – Alfredo Garcia
Bob Gunton – Chief George Earle
Director(s)
Marco Brambilla
Writer(s)
Peter M. Lenkov, Daniel Waters, Robert Reneau
Producer(s)
Joel Silver, Michael Levy, Howard G. Kazanjian
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
1 win & 7 nominations
Academy Awards
All Critics (42) | Top Critics (13) | Fresh (26) | Rotten (16)
Demolition Man is a movie that should have been fun, and isn’t.
January 29, 2019
David Ansen
Newsweek
TOP CRITIC
September 7, 2011 | Rating: B-
Owen Gleiberman
Entertainment Weekly
TOP CRITIC
Ultimately the script’s often sharp social satire is drowned out by the noise and confusion. It is also undercut by casting virtually all the psychopathically murderous criminals as minority-group members.
July 25, 2010
Richard Schickel
TIME Magazine
TOP CRITIC
Nearly all the SF premises are accorded the status of Andrew Dice Clay one-liners — which means that they, along with the characters, keep changing from one scene to the next.
April 30, 2008
Jonathan Rosenbaum
Chicago Reader
TOP CRITIC
A noisy, soulless, self-conscious pastiche that mixes elements of sci-fi, action-adventure and romance, then pours on a layer of comedy replete with Hollywood in-jokes.
April 30, 2008
Emanuel Levy
Variety
TOP CRITIC
This futuristic comedy depends on your opinion of Stallone and his unapologetic popcorn-pleasing action no-brainers. To be fair, this one is one of his better ones.
April 30, 2008 | Rating: 4/5
Phillipa Bloom
Empire Magazine
TOP CRITIC
An essential action comedy with unforgettable performances from Sylvester Stallone and Wesley Snipes. [Full Review in Spanish]
May 17, 2021 | Rating: 4/5
Mikel Zorrilla
Espinof
It starts with explosions, gunfire, characters smashing through windows, careening down staircases, and lunging through five foot flames – all before the opening credits roll.
September 11, 2020 | Rating: 9/10
Mike Massie
Gone With The Twins
Some clever set-piece chases and skirmishes, and a sly sense of humour round out a very solid effort.
June 2, 2020 | Rating: 3/5
Leigh Paatsch
Herald Sun (Australia)
This movie is completely bonkers, it makes no sense.
April 18, 2020 | Rating: 1/5
Justin Brown
Medium Popcorn
More than two hours, it could’ve easily been under 90 minutes…Sandra Bullock is completely wasted in this film.
April 18, 2020 | Rating: 1/5
Brandon Collins
Medium Popcorn
It is almost a rarity in the science fiction of the nineties to bring humor to its last consequences. [Full Review in Spanish]
August 29, 2019
Sergio Benítez
Espinof…
Plot
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.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
Fresh Kernels praises the strong performances of Sylvester Stallone, Wesley Snipes, and Sandra Bullock in Demolition Man.
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