Sylvester Stallone

The action-icon Sylvester Stallone has never been shy about how proud he is of his 1993 sci-fi action film Demolition Man, and it’s easy to see why.

In recent years he’s revisited the film with fresh eyes, emphasised how ahead of its time it was, and has even teased a sequel in the works.

Here’s a deeper look at why Stallone still “loves” Demolition Man — what it meant then, and why it continues to resonate.

1. Revisiting the film and his own performance

Stallone has said outright:

“I think it was a great movie. It’s one of the few films that really [holds] up.” (JoBlo)

What stands out is that he doesn’t treat it merely as a fun action piece, but as something with layers and relevance. According to one reflection:

“Everything’s so meek… That’s so far back, and I thought [at the time] it was just very, very contemporary… I thought it was really well done.” (JoBlo)

He praises co-stars too: for example, he singled out Wesley Snipes (Simon Phoenix) as giving a “very memorable character… he was at the top of his game then.” (JoBlo)

He also shared some behind-the-scenes anecdotes: during the cryo-freezing scene, he recalled it being “probably the worst five hours I’ve ever had on movie sets… I was terrified.” (FandomWire)

So for Stallone, the film is part of his legacy — not just as “another action movie”, but one where he felt the concept, the set design, the stakes, were elevated.

2. The story and themes that keep it relevant

The premise of Demolition Man is known: Stallone plays John Spartan, a reckless cop who’s frozen in the 1990s and thawed in 2032 to face his old nemesis in a very changed world. (sylvesterstallone.com)

What Stallone emphasises is how the film tackled ideas of “gentilisation of society”, social change, and even political correctness. In his own words:

“The writers were way ahead of their time.” (criticaljustice.com)

One of the film’s creators, Marco Brambilla, said it was a satirical sci-fi rather than pure action, noting the film’s clean, seemingly utopian future where profanity, booze and sex were eliminated — a future that inadvertently echoes current debates about freedom, control and culture. (Yahoo Movies UK)

So when Stallone says he still loves the film, he’s partly celebrating that it works on multiple levels: action, satire, even prophecy.

3. Why Stallone still “loves” it

Putting together his remarks and the film’s context, several reasons emerge why Stallone remains fond:

• It holds up: Unlike some older action films that feel dated, Stallone believes Demolition Man still retains its energy, themes and fun.

• It was audacious for its time: It mixed futuristic sci-fi with big-budget action and social commentary — a somewhat unusual combo for a mainstream 1993 film.

• It’s part of his evolution: Stallone is known for iconic roles (Rocky, Rambo), but John Spartan offered a different kind of hero — fish-out-of-water, frozen in time, etc — showing range.

• The film’s success and cult status: Although critical responses were mixed at the time, the movie has found a following and Stallone acknowledges that longevity. (criticaljustice.com)

He said:

“I always enjoyed this film… It was a great action movie, splendidly directed.” (criticaljustice.com)

4. What this means for the future (and a sequel?)

Stallone has teased that a sequel to Demolition Man is on the way. In 2020, during an Instagram Q&A, he stated:

“I think it is coming. We’re working on it right now with Warner Bros and it’s looking fantastic.

So that should come out. That’s going to happen.” (Bloody Disgusting!)

While nothing has yet been confirmed in full detail, this shows Stallone’s continued attachment to the original, and desire to revisit it. For him, clearly, it isn’t simply nostalgia — it’s a property he believes still has forward momentum.

5. Final thoughts

In short: yes — Sylvester Stallone still loves Demolition Man.

He sees it as more than just a 90s action flick; he sees it as a film that anticipated certain cultural currents, that tested the boundaries of genre, and that he is proud to have been part of.

His comments reflect respect for the filmmakers, the concept, and the enduring appeal of the movie.