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Demolition Man Tried to Warn Us
In the wake of “Calexit”, a 90s action classic has new relevance.
Demolition Man is admittedly an incredibly silly film, it stars Sylvester Stallone as a loose cannon cop versus a sociopathic blonde haired Wesley Snipes. What sets it a part from its contemporaries though is its wit and the fresh spin it puts on the dystopian narrative.
The two men literally frozen, Stallone and Snipes, for their present-day violent actions are unthawed in a future California that would be all too horrifying if it wasn’t so frighteningly similar to the 2016 version of the Golden State. At times the film is eerily accurate like predicting Schwarzenegger’s political career and the looming threat of political correctness which has only gotten worse every year since the films release. The movie is 100% spot on about how government on steroids can become a cult like religion. The crux of the plot is that Snipes character, Simon Phoenix, has for some unknown reason been reintroduced to a world that couldn’t be more ill-equipped to handle his form of anachronistic violent behavior. Like his namesake the mythical bird, the villain has risen from the heat produced by the extreme cold of his icy tomb infinitesimally more dangerous than he was before.
The only answer for our new world, devoid of soldiers is to awaken one from the past. Stallone’s character, coincidentally named John Spartan, has combated the Phoenix before, and his methods deemed too dangerous in the past are so otherworldly in his new time that they are literally the stuff of legend.
The People’s Republic of California
The 2032 southern California setting could be viewed as jest in 1993 but in 2016 it takes the form of a warning. The proverbial eye of big brother is represented by Dr. Raymond Cocteau, the intellectual architect of San Angeles. The amalgamation of Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, and San Diego where the price of complete peace is a complete lack of freedom. The true manifestation of what we like to jokingly refer to as the People’s Republic of California.
The people having fully bought into the vision of their infallible leader are willing to let all sorts of violations slide in the name of an elite and proper society. Those that don’t fit this vision of course are relegated to a literal life in the sewers. The undercurrent of the film is so fitting considering that the real life coastal elites of the time had already began sectioning off all of the prime real estate in the state for the bourgeois. Under the guise of the best life for all they have created a world that is merely just the best life for some. The repercussions of this tragic vision of course are felt most by a lower class that under the oligarchs rules aren’t even actually supposed to exist. The flesh and blood human reminders of how weak the socialist vision truly is are left on the outside looking in. Following the inevitable course of this world view the decisions of the film’s magnanimous Dr. Cocteau and his lust for power are what bring his beautiful society crumbling down around him.
The writing on the wall was there long before our hero and villain arrive on the scene, their final battle is just a beautiful way to present the balancing act. Phoenix left unchecked intends to take over the world with an army estimated at about 100 strong but men willing to use Genghis Khan’s playbook don’t need great numbers to do great damage. Spartan, our forever unappreciated hero, has to clean up the mess. He may not be perfect but he gets the job done.
Be Like John Spartan
We can all learn from Spartan, the great middle man that refuses to give credence to useful idiots and is also weary of advocating for too much freedom. When the dust settles he doesn’t seize the opportunity to take power but instead trusts that the collective working together will figure out what is best for society. Demolition Man gives us a succinct lather, rinse, and repeat blueprint for society. Aldous Huxley would be proud his genius laid the foundation for such an entertaining film. Homage to the author is paid in the form of naming Sandra Bullock’s character, Lenina Huxley.
While the proverbial eyes of big brother might be watching, they can’t stop us John Spartans of the world. Try as they might, even resorting to trying to use the government against us, won’t work because America still is and always has been great. Us lovers of the American brand of freedom took a few punches but we’re winning the fight. If you need a pick me up just eat a cheeseburger and watch Demolition Man. It’s a classic.
I could quote so much of this movie. I think I may try to mess with any liberals I know who know this movie, framing it as a story about how liberals gave us Trump only to have Trump kill their champion and run everything with his murderous gang. This isn’t too far from their actual assessment of what’s going on (apart from where DT came from), if my Facebook feed is any guide.
Be well, Justin McClinton!
Welcome to Ricochet Justin McClinton. Good post.
It is a very funny movie. Recommended.
Excellent first post.
Seawriter
Tied to the tracks and the train’s fast comin’
Strapped to the wing with the engine runnin’
You say that this wasn’t in your plan?
Don’t mess around with the Demolition man!
“All restaurants are Taco Bell.”
Good movie. Welcome, Justin.
Under the guise of the best life for all they have created a world that is merely just the best life for some.
Exactly!
This should be upvoted to the mainfeed. Great observation, great post.
He doesn’t know how to use the three seashells!
I already did!
We’re about 5 years from the “sex” scene not being funny anymore.
Dennis Leary 2024
@justinmcclinton, sadly Demolition Man is not available for streaming on Netflix.
That’s why I own it on DVD with Over The Top on the other side.
Amazing first post. Welcome.
“He doesn’t know how to use the three sea shells!”
If I remember right, the PC bureaucratic villain is played by Yes, Minister‘s Sir Humphrey. Great movie.
As usual, reality is less believeable than the fiction. Who would have dreamed that the same overlords who would issue fines for just using words are the same people promoting vulgarity and depravity?
Great piece.
I wish there was a way to tie The Fifth Element into this discussion.
In 2016, Chris Tucker’s character is no longer comic relief (I would submit that it wasn’t in 1997 either).
Ah, Ruby Rod. That takes me back. So does D-Man. Quite an underrated piece of pop-cult satire. And a valuable demonstration of Wes Snipes’ talent. Thanks for the post!
If Hillary had been elected, Chris Tucker’s character would be awaiting Senate confirmation for his cabinet post.
From 2006, the only libertarian anthem revolving around Wesley Snipes.
“Wesley Snipes, you got the cops on your tail,
Don’t let them haul you in, don’t let them take you to jail…
I don’t believe all this Internal Revenue Hype,
They want to free ride on your money train, Wesley Snipes…”
Wesley-Snipes-Song.mp3
Courtesy of the much-missed Woot Podcast:
https://www.woot.com/blog/post/savage-sounds-of-the-woot-podcast
[snip]
Simon Phoenix wasn’t taken out of cryostasis for “unknown reason”. Cocteau needed someone capable of killing his underground rival Edgar Friendly who led the outcast Scraps. (“A constant irritation to our harmony”). Cocteau controlled Simon with mental programming implanted during cryo such that Simon was unable to harm Cocteau. Cocteau felt that this protected him from Phoenix. That mental programming also amplified Phoenix’s sociopathy with enhanced physical and mental abilities programmed in during cryo. Of course, Phoenix got the upper hand and had one of his henchmen whack Cocteau.
Ditto.
Here’s a comedic retrospective on Demolition man:
The best memory probably begins precisely at the 7 minute eighteen second mark…..
Great post!
Welcome to ricochet.
I think he was deliberately avoiding that spoiler.
At a pivotal scene later in the movie, Wesley Snipes’ character utters what I still find to be the most quintessential definition of essential liberty: “You can’t take away people’s right to be ***holes”.
I had my eye on that Simon Phoenix for some time. Sadly, my eye went on longer than I did in the movie.
One sad part of Sir Humprey’s real life, was being outed when he was quite happy to be private. Sad that a great actor had to put up with.