In the year 1996, violent criminal Simon Phoenix (Wesley Snipes) and wrongly accused cop John Spartan (Sylvester Stallone) are found guilty of murder, and cryogenically frozen for the course of their sentences. Thirty-six years later, the crime-ridden streets of LA are no more, replaced with a newly designed utopia known as San Angeles. During a parole hearing, Phoenix manages to escape, wreaking havoc in a city now ill-prepared to deal with violent crime. But Lieutenant Lenina Huxley (Sandra Bullock) recalls legendary frozen officer John Spartan, and suggests he might be capable of combating Phoenix's rampage.

Spartan is released to battle his old adversary, but finds life back on the streets of the much-changed city difficult to negotiate.

Stallone and Snipes have great fun in this futuristic action movie that makes the most of its preposterous plot with a good dose of humour and satire. The supporting cast is full of familiar faces including Nigel Hawthorne as San Angeles' corrupt creator Cocteau, outspoken comedian Denis Leary and early appearances from Rob Schneider and Jack Black. With tons of high-tech, high-octane fun, Demolition Man is a thoroughly entertaining slab of Sly and Snipes action.

Did you know? Sylvester Stallone wanted the Simon Phoenix character to be played by Jackie Chan. Chan refused, since Asian audiences don't like the idea of actors who have always played heroes suddenly playing evil characters.