My interest in The Demolitionist was aroused on discovering that the UK BBFC had cut nearly four minutes from this film before granting its 18 certificate. What were the scenes that were too outrageous for British sensibilities? What were the cinematic threats to civilisation as we know it? In eager anticipation I pressed the 'Play' button.
Comparisons with Robocop are inevitable. Both films are about cops who die and are re-animated by the use of modern technology although Nicole Eggert's Alyssa Lloyd is kept going by regular doses of Prof. Jack Crowley's (Bruce Abbott) blood-substitute plasma. With her high-tech armour and armoury, she pursues Mad Dog Burne (Richard Grieco) and his criminal biker gang, engaging in the requisite shoot-outs and explosions. There is humour in this film but of the unintentional kind; her guns never run out of ammunition and despite the film being set in the future, the police cars look as if they came out of the 1950s.
I think that the BBFC cuts are as follows (but cannot confirm). There is a torture scene when Alyssa's cover is blown but it doesn't compare with Reservoir Dogs. Mention is made by one of the gang members about "ripping her tits off" but dubbing over this would solve that problem. A young girl is menaced by Mad Dog Burne in a bank raid but comes to no harm. I would guess that the cuts would be re-instated if the film was to be resubmitted but you can never tell with the BBFC.
This film was entertaining and fun but not a patch on the original Robocop. The acting by some of the cast was a bit over-the-top and the special effects left a lot to be desired. A few squirts of tomato ketchup would have been more convincing as blood than the red powder. Finally I disagree with the run time. The cover of my USA-R rated VHS says 100 minutes but the film actually runs for only 93 minutes. I give it 3 stars.
Comparisons with Robocop are inevitable. Both films are about cops who die and are re-animated by the use of modern technology although Nicole Eggert's Alyssa Lloyd is kept going by regular doses of Prof. Jack Crowley's (Bruce Abbott) blood-substitute plasma. With her high-tech armour and armoury, she pursues Mad Dog Burne (Richard Grieco) and his criminal biker gang, engaging in the requisite shoot-outs and explosions. There is humour in this film but of the unintentional kind; her guns never run out of ammunition and despite the film being set in the future, the police cars look as if they came out of the 1950s.
I think that the BBFC cuts are as follows (but cannot confirm). There is a torture scene when Alyssa's cover is blown but it doesn't compare with Reservoir Dogs. Mention is made by one of the gang members about "ripping her tits off" but dubbing over this would solve that problem. A young girl is menaced by Mad Dog Burne in a bank raid but comes to no harm. I would guess that the cuts would be re-instated if the film was to be resubmitted but you can never tell with the BBFC.
This film was entertaining and fun but not a patch on the original Robocop. The acting by some of the cast was a bit over-the-top and the special effects left a lot to be desired. A few squirts of tomato ketchup would have been more convincing as blood than the red powder. Finally I disagree with the run time. The cover of my USA-R rated VHS says 100 minutes but the film actually runs for only 93 minutes. I give it 3 stars.