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Demolition Man - Utopia or Dystopia?

Principle Cast

Demolition Man is one of my favourite films of all time. Even more than "Return of the Jedi". One of the reasons I enjoyed it so much was because of the superb world in which it is set. The little intricacies of it are superb, such as the idea of adverts playing on the radio or fining people for bad language. The writers/director took real care in their attention to detail and it paid off in spectacular style. Here is a synopsis of the film.

Demolition Man is set in the supposedly utopian futuristic society of San Angeles. (Formerly Los Angeles and Southern California). Doctor Raymond Cocteau (Hawthorne) is the leader of this perfect society in which anything unhealthy or immoral is banned, and criminals are frozen whilst rehabilitated for their crimes, resulting in a population of submissive and somewhat fruity people. The city is blissful, crime free and completely under Cocteau's control. Except, that is for the city underground. Led by ruffian, Edgar Friendly (Leary), a large group of people live in the sewers away from the clutches of Cocteau, scavenging for scraps of food and graffiting the city walls. According to Cocteau, they are the last criminal element in the city.

To rid the city of these "terrorists" as he puts it, Cocteau secretly arranges for the escape of Cryo-con, Simon Phoenix (Snipes), to hunt down and kill Edgar Friendly. However, when Phoenix brutally murders a whole squadron of police officers just minutes after his escape, the San Angeles PD dont know what to do. Agent Lenina Huxley (Bullock) suggests the release from the Cryo-prison of Officer John Spartan (Stallone), the officer responsible for Phoenix's arrest in the Twentieth Century, also known as the "Demolition Man".

With all arsenal banned, Phoenix heads for a local museum in search of firearms. Spartan predicts this and arrives on the scene shortly after Phoenix resulting in a mini battle between the two. Phoenix escapes with a full arsenal. Cocteau is confronted by Phoenix outside the museum but the process of re-hab (controlled by Cocteau) stops him from killing his master. Cocteau then reinforms him of his mission before Spartan arrives and Phoenix escapes again. Making out as though Spartan saved his life, Cocteau invites him and Huxley to dinner that evening.

Spartan and Huxley head for Taco Bell that evening (the only restaurant to survive the franchise wars). There is a growing chemistry between the two which is increased on Huxley's part with the events at dinner. Shortly after Cocteau introduces Spartan to the other guests, Spartan notices a ruffian on a motorbike outside. Acting on a hunch, he goes out to investigate. Soon the place is swarming with the ruffians who appear to be looking for trouble. In typical Stallone fashion, Spartan dispatches them all to the delight of the crowd (and Huxley) but not before he realises their true intentions - they were just starving people looking for food. As Cocteau gives his interpretation of events to Spartan, John realises Cocteau's plan and why Phoenix didn't shoot him at the museum. His suspicions are confirmed when viewing video surveillance tapes back at Huxley's apartment later that night.

Then follows one of the funniest and best bits in the film. Back at Huxley's apartment, Lenina announces she would like to have sex with John Spartan, but Spartan misunderstands, expecting it "the old fashioned way". Of course due to diseases which can be caught, sex is deemed unhealthy and so is banned, instead being done by telepathic helmets from opposite sides of the room. Spartan objects to the helmets and Huxley is appalled by Spartan's suggestions, branding him a savage. The two part and by way of apology, Spartan knits Huxley a woolly jumper overnight having learned knitting skills during his frozen period. Huxley is flattered and pleased so accepting his apology, the two head off to confront Cocteau.

Spartan bursts into Cocteau's office demanding to know the truth about Phoenix. Cocteau is outraged and orders he be returned to his cryo-prison. Naturally, Spartan ignores the order and goes into the sewers to continue his hunt for Phoenix. In the sewer, Spartan enjoys a rat-burger and beer which he pays for with Huxley's watch before he is confronted by Edgar Friendly over the Taco-Bell incident. Just as the two men realise they are fighting for the same thing, they come under fire from Phoenix and his buddies whom he successfully persuaded Cocteau to release. Spartan fights them off and the pursuit continues in a classic old car which the people in the sewers had put together.

Phoenix escapes after Spartan boards his vehicle but loses control, sending Phoenix to the curb and Spartan into a fountain covered in the car's protective foam. It is night by now and the chief of police comes to arrest Spartan. Once again Spartan is defiant and the underground dwellers come to his aid. The police and the dwellers join forces.

Phoenix and his buddies go off and murder Cocteau, taking control of the city. Their first task is to free the other cryo-cons. This is Spartan and co's best chance to capture them. Huxley and Spartan go after them. As the two close in on the prison, Spartan zaps Huxley, knocking her unconcious. He knows it is for her own good as it would be too dangerous for her.

The final showdown between Spartan and Phoenix occurs in the cryo-chamber. After a violent battle in which Phoenix has the edge, Spartan manages to spill some liquid nitrogen on the floor, freezing everything around, including Phoenix. Spartan avoids the big freeze by climbing a structure. He then swings down and with one kick, decapitates the frozen Phoenix and escapes just before the place goes up in flames. Terrific!

The final scene shows the beginning of a restoration of a world familiar to us. With Cocteau dead, the dwellers and the police make friends and we sense things will return to our version of normal. Naturally, the film ends with Spartan and Huxley exchanging a passionate kiss and with Huxley asking: "Are all fluid transfers this good?".

SOUNDTRACK

1. Dies Irae
2. Fire Fight
3. Guilty as Charged
4. Action, Guns, Fun
5. Machine Waltz
6. Defrosting
7. Confronting the Chief
8. Museum Dis Duel
9. Subterranean Slugfest
10. Meeting Cocteau
11. Tracking Simon Phoenix
12. Obligatory Car Chase
13. Flawless Pearl
14. Final Confrontation
15. Code 187
16. Silver Screen Kiss

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