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Demolition Man

Demolition Man

Crime · Action · Science Fiction · 1993

In 1996, brash L.A. detective John Spartan and maniac killer Simon Phoenix are both sentenced to decades in a cryogenic prison as punishment for a rescue mission gone wrong. When Phoenix escapes 36 years later to wreak havoc on the future, Spartan is awakened to capture his nemesis the old-fashioned way.

Movie details

Demolition Man

“The future isn't big enough for the both of them.”

1993 Crime · Action · Science Fiction 1h 55m

Critical arithmetic

One number, for now.

TMDB

6.8 / 10

Community rating

In 1996, brash L.A. detective John Spartan and maniac killer Simon Phoenix are both sentenced to decades in a cryogenic prison as punishment for a rescue mission gone wrong. When Phoenix escapes 36 years later to wreak havoc on the future, Spartan is awakened to capture his nemesis the old-fashioned way.

CriticWise case file

What this film says about your taste.

Not a recommendation score. A measure of how closely the film’s taste signals resemble yours.

The archetype split

Who fights over Demolition Man?

The split comes from the same five-axis model used by the test, not audience ratings or review sentiment.

Taste neighbourhood

Nearby on the taste map.

TMDB supplies the candidates. CriticWise reorders them by craft, strangeness, prestige, emotion, and pace.

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Names above the title

The people responsible.

Directed by

Marco Brambilla

Written by

Daniel Waters · Robert Reneau · Peter M. Lenkov

Sylvester Stallone

Sylvester Stallone

John Spartan

Wesley Snipes

Wesley Snipes

Simon Phoenix

Sandra Bullock

Sandra Bullock

Lt. Lenina Huxley

Nigel Hawthorne

Nigel Hawthorne

Dr. Raymond Cocteau

Benjamin Bratt

Benjamin Bratt

Alfredo Garcia

Rob Schneider

Rob Schneider

Erwin

Bob Gunton

Bob Gunton

Chief George Earle

Court is in session

Put Demolition Man on trial.

Two incompatible taste archetypes. One film. Read the arguments, then issue a completely binding cultural ruling.

The defence The Adrenaline Seeker

“Momentum is a formal choice.”

The velocity sharpens instinct and tension, making every beat land before self-importance can settle in.

The prosecution The Prestige Tourist

“Speed as an alibi.”

The film races past its weak spots and hopes acceleration will keep the audience from inspecting the evidence.