I finally gave this movie a chance yesterday and, let me tell you, I was in no way prepared for how great it is. It does not have the reputation it truly deserves, that's for sure. Firstly, what an amazing premise: that a dangerous criminal wakes up in a utopian, nonviolent future society where taking over is a piece of cake for him. A world in which the police can't begin to deal with the threat of a single maniac because their training consists of asking their communicator device for help and being told to use a firm tone of voice.
Everything about the ultra-sanitized future California environment is hilarious, especially because no matter ludicrous it gets, it always manages to still feel like something certain politicians would actually advocate for. It's completely insane and also eerily plausible, which is a terrifying combination.
A very cheery Sandra Bullock is on hand to talk us through the rules of polite society in 2032 San Angeles. I have to admit I've often discounted her as an actress, but having delved a bit more deeply into her career, I'm fast becoming a fan. She plays the airheaded enthusiasm so effortlessly; it's a brilliant comedic performance. Sylvester Stallone, meanwhile, can convey with a few eye rolls what needs to be said about how his character fits into this world. The contrast between them makes for some great humour and their relationship never feels forced at all.
Wesley Snipes isn't a particularly scary villain, but I'm not taking any points off for that because I honestly think it's wholly by design. The tone of the movie is lighthearted and satirical and Snipes plays his villain with a relish that easily rubs off on the audience.
I think it's interesting, incidentally, that you can make a trilogy out of three of my favourite sci-fi/action movies based on the fact that their plots all include a wrongfully imprisoned hero who finds that the terms of his release are actually in service of the main villain's plan to pacify society. The first two are Escape from New York and The Running Man. They all share a pretty similar cynical outlook and, if you watch them in order, get progressively more humorous, almost as if this business of commenting on social developments is getting more absurd by the day. Funny, right?
In any case, Demolition Man is an absolute joy: funny, prescient, action-packed, surprisingly sharp and shamefully overlooked. An underrated classic.
Everything about the ultra-sanitized future California environment is hilarious, especially because no matter ludicrous it gets, it always manages to still feel like something certain politicians would actually advocate for. It's completely insane and also eerily plausible, which is a terrifying combination.
A very cheery Sandra Bullock is on hand to talk us through the rules of polite society in 2032 San Angeles. I have to admit I've often discounted her as an actress, but having delved a bit more deeply into her career, I'm fast becoming a fan. She plays the airheaded enthusiasm so effortlessly; it's a brilliant comedic performance. Sylvester Stallone, meanwhile, can convey with a few eye rolls what needs to be said about how his character fits into this world. The contrast between them makes for some great humour and their relationship never feels forced at all.
Wesley Snipes isn't a particularly scary villain, but I'm not taking any points off for that because I honestly think it's wholly by design. The tone of the movie is lighthearted and satirical and Snipes plays his villain with a relish that easily rubs off on the audience.
I think it's interesting, incidentally, that you can make a trilogy out of three of my favourite sci-fi/action movies based on the fact that their plots all include a wrongfully imprisoned hero who finds that the terms of his release are actually in service of the main villain's plan to pacify society. The first two are Escape from New York and The Running Man. They all share a pretty similar cynical outlook and, if you watch them in order, get progressively more humorous, almost as if this business of commenting on social developments is getting more absurd by the day. Funny, right?
In any case, Demolition Man is an absolute joy: funny, prescient, action-packed, surprisingly sharp and shamefully overlooked. An underrated classic.