Demolition Man (M) PRESENTED IN 35MM FILM

Demolition Man at The Revival House Perth

In 1996, reckless Los Angeles cop John Spartan (Sylvester Stallone) finally captures his nemesis, the psychotic crime lord Simon Phoenix (Wesley Snipes), but not before Phoenix's actions result in the deaths of hostages. Both men are sentenced to cryogenic imprisonment in the California Cryo-Penitentiary, frozen in time as punishment. Thirty-six years later, they awaken to a radically transformed world: San Angeles, a pristine utopian society where crime, violence, profanity, and even unhealthy food have been eliminated. When Phoenix escapes and begins a violent rampage through this pacifist society, the gentle police force—led by the eager Lieutenant Lenina Huxley (Sandra Bullock)—has no idea how to handle a 20th-century criminal. They thaw Spartan to hunt Phoenix, but this relic from a violent age struggles to navigate a world where physical contact is taboo, all restaurants are Taco Bell, and the three seashells remain a mystery.

Director Marco Brambilla's 1993 action-comedy is a wildly entertaining satire that skewers both dystopian futures and political correctness while delivering spectacular set pieces. Stallone and Snipes create a perfect hero-villain dynamic—Stallone's blue-collar everyman bewilderment playing against Snipes' scene-chewing villainy, complete with bleached hair and manic energy. Sandra Bullock shines as Huxley, a cop fascinated by the "savage" 20th century, while Denis Leary delivers a memorable turn as Edgar Friendly, leader of the underground resistance. The film's production design creates a convincing sanitized future of pastel colors and non-contact greetings, making Spartan's violent methods all the more jarring. The script balances sharp social commentary with explosive action and genuinely funny fish-out-of-water comedy. Elliot Goldenthal's score propels the mayhem while the film asks pointed questions about freedom versus safety.

Original format and audio experience of this film faithfully reproduced by The Revival House. Presented in 35mm film unless noted otherwise.

When: Thursday, April 16th at 7:20PM
Where: The Revival House at the Como Theatre
Rating: M (Medium level violence, Coarse language)

Be well—Stallone battles Snipes in this wickedly entertaining action satire that predicted our sanitised future, in 35mm film.

Presented by: The Revival House Perth