Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		5.0
Audio		5.0
Extras		5.0
Overall		4.0

Demolition Man 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 Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Demolition Man is presented on Blu-ray courtesy of Arrow Video with an AVC encoded 1080p 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.

Michael gave "practically perfect in every way" marks to the video presentation on the old Warner Brothers 1080 disc, but a 4.5 back in the "Dark Ages" of 2011 might not warrant the same response today. One way or the other, while not substantially different from the old Warner Brothers release, I'd argue this one makes some at least subtle changes to color timing while providing some really nice fine detail levels throughout. Rather interestingly (at least to my eyes), the timing differences tend to come and go, with some moments, like the opening freezing scene with John looking a bit cooler (no pun intended) in this version, but other moments, like a late showdown between John and Chief Earle looking pretty similar if not outright identical. Generally speaking and perhaps most noticeably with regard to flesh tones, the Warner Brothers version looks just slightly flushed and skewed a bit toward orange when compared to this one. There are noticeable fluctuations in color temperature, suffusion and clarity in any number of composited effects scenes (as in some S.A.P.D. office material where I'm assuming some computer monitor images were probably composited). Grain can be heavy, especially courtesy of those opticals, but still resolves organically throughout.

Demolition Man 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 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 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.