Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		0.0
Audio		5.0
Extras		5.0
Overall		4.0

Demolition Man 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Jeffrey Kauffman December 6, 2024

There is most likely a large and appreciative audience eagerly awaiting Arrow's deluxe limited editions of Demolition Man in both 1080 and 4K UHD formats, but one might be prone to assume Peter M. Lenkov and Fred Dekker among others are probably not going to be included in that august assemblage by their own choosing. Among the typically bounteous supplements Arrow has aggregated for this release is a nicely detailed commentary by Mike White, who evidently got quite a bit of "dish" on the background of this film's genesis and then pretty substantial transformation as it went through at least a bit of "development purgatory" if not outright development hell. White actually starts his commentary with something of an apology, since he mentions an almost Rashomon like labyrinth of competing recollections about the film, claiming he can't be sure he isn't passing along apocryphal information, but one way or the other, there was at least a quintet of writers who drifted through this production, beginning with Lenkov, whose original concept was evidently manifestly different from what ended up on screen, but who at least got some kind of writing credit courtesy of a Writers Guild of America arbitration, something that Dekker didn't. If the result may not be the film Lenkov himself imagined, Demolition Man is still often goofily enjoyable, elevated by an intentionally cartoonish performance by Wesley Snipes as the film's archvillain, and a surplus of things very definitely going boom.

Demolition Man had a 1080 release several years ago courtesy of its home studio Warner Brothers. Michael Reuben's Demolition Man Blu-ray review of that version provides a great plot summary and technical analysis, along with a listing of that release's supplements. As I am prone to say, different reviewers means different opinions, and while I heartily enjoy Demolition Man, I may not be quite as enthusiastic about it as Michael, and our overall scores show that variance.

Demolition Man 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Note: While this is a standalone 4K release without a 1080 disc, I am offering screenshots from Arrow's standalone 1080 release as I think it actually provides a better representation of the look of the palette in particular, rather than offering screenshots from the 4K disc which are by necessity downscaled to 1080 and in SDR. Because this release does not include a 1080 disc, the 2K video score above has been intentionally left blank.

Demolition Man is presented in 4K UHD courtesy of Arrow Video with an HEVC / H.265 encoded 2160p transfer in 2.39:1. Arrow provides the same insert booklet for both its 1080 and 4K UHD releases, which contains the following information on the restoration:

Demolition Man has been exclusively restored by Arrow Films. Both the Domestic and International versions of the film are presented in its original aspect ratio of 2.39:1 with stereo, 5.1 and Dolby Atmos audio.

The original 35mm camera negative was scanned in 4K 16 bit at Warner Bros. / Motion Picture Imaging. Additional film material was scanned for the sections unique to the International version. The film was restored in 4K and colour graded at Silver Salt.

The stereo and 5.1 mixes were sourced from Warner Bros. The Atmos mix was produced by Arrow Films and completed at Deluxe Audio, London. This new restored master of Demolition Man has been approved by Director Marco Brambilla.

This is a rather interesting 4K UHD presentation that my hunch is will more than please the film's many fans, though it may tend to show some of the variances mentioned in my Demolition Man Blu-ray review of Arrow's 1080 version more prominently courtesy of both its increased resolution as well as the blandishments offered by HDR / Dolby Vision. The plus sides of this 4K rendition when comparing it to both Arrow's 1080 release but especially the older 1080 release from Warner Brothers are noticeably improved fine detail levels on things like the tufted fabric of Phoenix's orange vest (or even his hair), as well as a really interesting new set of palette highlights delivered via HDR / Dolby Vision. The minus side tends to be the occasionally hokey looking old school composited special effects, which definitely literally show their "seams" more overtly in this version, and which can at least occasionally affect suffusion and clarity levels. The opening overhead shot supposedly of Los Angeles in flames is a good example in terms of less than convincing fire effects, but there are others scattered throughout the film. (Actual explosions and flames are impressively rendered in this presentation.) Some differences in palette when stacking up this release against Arrow's 1080 release include (to cite just a couple of examples) a somewhat more sepia toned look when John first enters the soon to explode warehouse in the film's opening vignette, but also a noticeably more teal (or at least teal-ish) tone to many of the interior S.A.P.D. sequences. A later bedroom scene with Huxley and John has some nice new pink highlights as well. Some scenes featuring what were assumedly composited effects on things like computer screens can show pretty noticeably diminished suffusion and at times even clarity. Grain can be relatively heavy at times, especially in the effects sequence, but really encounters no significant issues.

Demolition Man 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Demolition Man offers Dolby Atmos, DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 options. The film's bombastic sound design provides consistent surround activity in both the Atmos and DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 tracks, but there's some really nice additional immersive qualities as well as what I'd argue is increased clarity in some effects (like the crackling of flames in the opening vignette) in the Atmos track which would make it my advice for first choice for those equipped with the proper setups. Engagement of the "traditional" surround channels is more than noticeable in any of the action sequences, but also in relatively calmer moments like Huxley driving in her car or even some of the S.A.P.D. office material. Dialogue is rendered cleanly and clearly throughout. Optional English subtitles are available.

Demolition Man 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• US Version (1:55:08) and International Version (1:55:02) are accessible under the Choose Version Menu.


• Audio Commentaries

  Director Marco Brambilla & Screenwriter Daniel Waters (2024)

  
  

  Film critic Mike White (2024)

  
  

  Director Marco Brambilla & Producer Joel Silver

• Somewhere over the Rambo (HD; 17:01) is an interesting visual essay by Josh Nelson, one which perhaps unexpectedly draws some parallels between this film and The Wizard of Oz .


• Demolition Design (HD; 14:14) is a new interview with production designer David L. Snyder.


• Cryo Action (HD; 5:53) is a new interview with stunt coordinator Charles Percini.


• Biggs' Body Shop (HD; 5:46) is a new interview with special make-up effects artist Chris Biggs.


• Tacos and Hockey Pucks (HD; 9:55) is a new interview with body effects set coordinator Jeff Farley. The fact that Demolition Man even had a body effects set coordinator may tell you everything you need to know about this movie.


• Theatrical Trailer (HD; 2:06)


• Image Gallery (HD)

This is another pretty extravagantly packaged release from Arrow. An O ring style slipcover encloses a slipbox which itself holds a 60 page perfect bound book featuring a number of really interest essays along with the usual assortment of stills and technical information. The slipbox also holds a double side fold out poster and two sets of stickers. The keepcase has a reversible sleeve and holds six postcard sized art cards.

Demolition Man 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Demolition Man is never less than entertaining, but it's also kind of unabashedly silly a lot of the time, which may provide occasional hurdles for the action side of things. Arrow has once again catered to fans with a release offering secure technical merits and some outstanding supplements, all in a nicely designed package with some fun non disc swag. Recommended.