[Closed] Dredd. Any good?

It isn't high art but is passable as an action flick.

Personally I think you have to be a 2000ad fan (I was) otherwise its abit like watching the Watchmen..

7/10 better than expected, give it a go !

I thought it was ace.

It's brutal, beautifully filmed, and Karl Urban is excellent. I'd recommend it. Plenty of claret though, be warned.

It's good. My brother's a huge fan of the comics, me not so much, he loved it and I thought it was solid but not amazing. You don't need to know the background anyway.

Cougar & Hora +1 (EDIT - the fan bit). Unfortunately it didn't make 50 million at the box office, which was a figure they had to hit for a sequel.

Personally I think you have to be a 2000ad fan (I was) otherwise [b]its abit like watching the Watchmen..[/b]

Yeah, surprisingly good +1, muuuuch better than Stallone's anyway…

And not that it's relevant but one of the better 3D films I've seen at the cinema too!

I was a bit dubious after the first film, but was pleasantly surprised. It's shot well, very moody, "feels" a lot like the comics. I'll admit that I used to read a fair bit of 2000AD when I was younger and it did not leave me feeling betrayed like Stallone did, so it gets a thumbs up from me. I only wish they could have made the bigger, outside shots a bit more futuristic, a bit more like the comics, but it's pretty good.

Of course, it's worth watching for the fights and the bit with the miniguns.

I was surprised to find that I really enjoyed it - and, as above, Karl Urban was excellent. Not a 2000AD fan at all, btw.

What Cougar said!

I thoroughly enjoyed it much better than the Stallone version. It didn't have that made for a movie feel, it was more like an issue of the comic, if you get what I mean. I echo the sentiment above about the cityscapes in the wideshots though, it still seemed very modern day.

I thought it was great. A proper switch-off for 2 hours and enjoy the action type of film. Then, if you like it watch The Raid. Which is pretty much the same but with kunf-fu!

I really enjoyed it.

The Gladiator trainer in Gladiator had the perfect 'look' for a Dredd.

I thought the Raid was terrible but the fight choreography the best since the closing scenes in Jacki Chans Project A!

Well I watched it and was pleasantly surprised. Had a very authentic comic book adaption feel to it. Really felt like it was lifted from the pages. Different and unusual story with stylised violence and action.

Glad LoveFilm accidentally sent it to me now. I also now feel compelled to take a look at 2000ad again.

Yep it's good. I'm hoping it does well enough on dvd to generate a follow-up. Kinda like the Resident Evil films with I guess are popular enough to keep pounding out.

I've heard it's apparently similar to The Raid, so it must be pretty good!

I personally preferred the 'look' of the Stallone film (and nothing else) but this is a far better film, you dont have to be a 2000ad fan to enjoy it and it moves along at a fair pace.
7/10

Unfortunately it didn't make 50 million at the box office, which was a figure they had to hit for a sequel.

That's a pity. I thought the film was OK, but with a bit more polish could be an awesome franchise.

Torquemada would be amazing. Tim Burton directed but violent and very dark

It was OK. some good shots but tbh I found the lack of futuristic appearance a bit of an issue (eg it basically looked like now but with bigger tower blocks and judges).

Also the story as a whole was a bit lacking in any kind of epicness - it was essentially just a longer version of an episode in 2000ad from way back iirc. Good enough but not really enough meat for a film plot compared to say the various series like the Sovblok nuclear war, Necropolis, etc.

I did like some of the subtle touches tho - Ch 🙂 pper graffiti for example.

I never got into the comics, but thought it was a pretty good action film. Very much like Robocop. Was hoping that SloMo would be to more of their advantage though!

I thought it was ace.

It's brutal, beautifully filmed, and Karl Urban is excellent. I'd recommend it. Plenty of claret though, be warned.

+1

Very much like Robocop

+1

The first action film I've seen in ages that wasn't toned down to get a pg-13 & it was all the better for it.

A mediocre buddy cop movie set in a towerblock.

But in fancydress.

I have to say I'm not a 2000AD afficionado but the movie could've been any cop movie if you took the incidental theme away (which didn't add anything to the film). It was a bit like Training Day only a lot worse.

The villain was not at all intimidating or frightening; there was no characterisation (or you may have been supposed to understand everything from 2000AD); the storyline was weak.

Some of the cinematography and effects were good, but it looked like more of a showcase of them than anything else.

I much preferred the Stallone version. Dunno what that says about me.

Oh, and what Clubber said.

I liked it. The slow mo stuff is superb. But then I liked Stallone's version too. And didn;t like Watchmen

Was terrible, in the end just had it on in the background while I wasted time on silly forums

clubber - Member

Necropolis, etc.

Might be a [i]bit[/i] long.

Well it's been a while and tbh I was struggling to remember any other series so yes, I agree but my point really was that it was a bit mundane and as has been mentioned above, the film didn't really need to be in Mega City 1 at all which for me at least was kind of the point. YMMV

I think that was mostly budget tbh, keeping it mostly inside the block meant less need for flashy FX- also why the outside bits were a bit more current. Which is a shame but realistic. Wonder if there'd be room to take on the Democracy themes... HBO series!

But there were no Fatties, and no Walter, and absolutely no Stallone, so that's good.

I liked it, it was a decent violent action film. Shame they won't be doing an ABC warriors film as that would be the nuts.

Northwind - Member
I think that was mostly budget tbh,

Clearly but then I'm not sure why they bothered making the film as JD - what makes JD is the world he lives in, not really Dredd himself.

Dark, violent, gory, if entirely humourless. Overall quite effective. Captured Dredd's implacability and Anderson's vulnerability well.

In some ways it is quite sad, but gratifying, that no one seems to be able to do a truly amazing film adaptation of a graphic novel. Yes, Watchmen wasn't a bad attempt and Sin City was well shot and good too, but most of them seem to be a little light and pale compared to their paper forebears.

Time to start a new thread I think.

Off the back of this thread I watched this last night.

Quite enjoyed it, bog standard brain dead action flick sure but I'm pretty brain dead to start with.

Guns, bad things, drugs, nutters, what more can I ask for.

Entertaining enough, although the budget killed the outdoors stuff: the bikes were crap, the cityscape shots were nowhere near impressive enough, and the traffic shots were very poor... Once they get inside the block it gets a lot better.

I read 2000AD for 22 years (still go them all bagged up in the loft). I think that Karl Urban got it right, even down to the slightly slow walk and the "one worders". Olivia Thirlby did a good job with Anderson too.

The outside shots were a bit cheap, escpecially the vehicles. If they couldn't afford to do the chase with anything better than a VW camper van then perhaps they should have done it on foot.

The stuff in Peach Trees was bang on though.

I hope that they make another. Now that the characters are established it would be good to see something based on the Democracy story lines.

I enjoyed it and they think they paid respect to the source material.

My only real criticism was the lack of exploration into Dredd himself. He's an interesting character with a rich history and is ultimately a psychotic fascist. Would have liked a bit more of a peer into him.

i prefered "the raid" which as has been said is the same thing only better.

that said hopefully now they'll be sble to raise some proper money for the dark judges!!

And if they're not going to do the dark judges then it HAS to be Otto Stump's UGLY!

and why has no one made a film out of transmetropolitan yet?!?!

My only real criticism was the lack of exploration into Dredd himself. He's an interesting character with a rich history and is ultimately a psychotic fascist. Would have liked a bit more of a peer into him.

I take your point, but I do so tire of "origin movies". Having the first movie as a standalone action flick is a good move I think; exploring the character would make for a good sequel.

I wasn't convinced Urban was the right choice for the role. He acted the character well enough, but his Dredd chin was weak. Clint Eastwood from 30 years ago [i]is[/i] Joe Dredd. Not just the face, but the build, gait and voice. Anyone else will always be second best in my eyes.

They played the lack of budget well by keeping the story simple - your typical day in the life of a Judge type thing. Cossies and props looked good on the whole, but once again the Lawmaster was a letdown. Mega City One looked suitably grim and mega and overall I was pleasantly surprised. It was much more faithful to the comic that I thought it would have been.

Complex character. As a kid I remember he struggled a few times didnt he?

He once wore boots two sizes too small to stop him 'thinking too much' about what he was doing.

I though that was Sam Vimes?

Continuity Nod: There's a Running Gag about how Dredd is always wearing the wrong sized boots. This dates back to early in the long-running "Democracy" story arc when Dredd first started having doubts about his duty as a Judge; his mentor, Judge Morphy, recommended to Dredd that he wear boots two sizes too small, remarking, "You'll be so busy cussin' those damned boots you won't have time to worry about anything else."

hora - Member

He once wore boots two sizes too small to stop him 'thinking too much' about what he was doing.

I remember that one... Sad wee story, Dredd's mentor/senior judge recommended it to him as a way to avoid having doubts about the job. Part of the Democracy run-up maybe? He died at the end, just short of retirement, "still wearing those boots".

en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democracy_(Judge_Dredd_storyline)#section_3

Good rereading again 🙂

I take your point, but I do so tire of "origin movies". Having the first movie as a standalone action flick is a good move I think; exploring the character would make for a good sequel.

I agree but some insight into his psychology could have added a bit more dimension although that clearly wasn't the film they were trying to make here.

Thing is, with Dredd you basically need the years of him being a **** in order for the evolution of his character to work... If you have an hour of him being a fascist then the next half hour of him being a sandal-wearing pinko will have less impact.

Though they could easily have played with the exceeding the law theme, that doesn't need so much establishing. Dredd's story's often doing the wrong things for the right reasons after all, he'd never have been a judge if he didn't think the judges are needed.

Random comment No. 42 - Brian Bolland is the best Dredd artist. That is all.

Well i watched it... I thought it was ok but too similar to the far superior The Raid!

"Friend" on FB "not a patch on the stallone version, hardly any action, crap!"

Me "you a 2000AD fan? Its pretty faithfull to that"

FBer "what's 2000AD?"
🙄

PSA - its now £5 in Sainsburys.

Its a real stark-contrast to the first Dredd movie isn't it?

I like it. Not sure I like the outfits and I do think Urban hasn't got a strong enough chin but...

It took me right back to my childhood when I was a Judge. Sly Stallone didn't.

I do think Urban hasn't got a strong enough chin

veedubba - Member
A mediocre buddy cop movie set in a towerblock.

But in fancydress.

This.

Anderson was brilliant. I thought she'd be piss-poor.

Me "you a 2000AD fan? Its pretty faithfull to that"

the art direction in the stallone version is spot on, makeup on the angel gang was brilliant shame about the rest.

I thought it was awful.

Too reliant on 3D so if you don't have that the weak story shines through. The 'mega city' was downtown South Africa with a couple of tower blocks stuck over the landscape in post production. At least the Stallone one was 'futuristic'. This did seem to have been set in the year 2000.

Urban must curse his agent for that one.

a lot of sci fi movies in the last few years have 2000ad references, from set and prop design, to story lines. looking back at some of those early progs, its easy to see how unique it all was. wish i hadn't given all of mine away. still mow i'm all growed up, i can buy this sort of stuff
[img] [/img]

Karl-Heinz Urban is my current fave action man.
I thought he stood out in this despite the bad storyline.

It was FAR from perfect but I am GLAD that they made it.

All my bloody life I'd been waiting for 'a Dredd film is being talked about' bollocks! 😆

I wish they'd do it as a tv series a la Game of Thrones instead.
It needs a lot of time to build up the environments and characters.

I haven't seen the new one, but I thought the Stallone one got a lot right even though overall it was poor.

I can't understand why they'd make it humourless, my memory of the comics was that they were quite funny. I guess they were trying to compete with Dark Knight.

I'm looking forward to seeing it though.

I can't understand why they'd make it humourless

Dredd has a couple of line.

Stallone had the chin, but was crap. The ABC warrior was excellent, Stallone's sidekick was crap. The Angels, especially Mean Machine were excellent, everything else was crap.
I thought Urban Dredd's outfit was excellent, not shiny Hollywood clean like Stallones, and the scars on his helmet just rounded the look off.
Also, his delivery of THE line sounded way better than Stallone's imitation of a performing seal. "Ma-Ma is not the law. [b]I[/b] am the law"
Actually, Urban's chin reminded me of Carlos Ezquerra's Dredd.

finally saw this last week

liked it alot

Captures the hard b*****d violent Dredd spot on. The slow motion blood splatters are straight off the page.

The thing about Dredd is it's been going so bloody long there are so many ways to do it. I mean for example I read it mostly in the early nineties and alot of the art then was these full page colour images of the city with these mahoosive curved blocks, e.g. the latter Chopper storyline (anyone notice the graffiti?), or Bladerunner but in the daylight. That's just not going to go into a film unless its got Tom bloody Cruise in it. Where as this film put me in mind of a much grittier, up close, intense, style. I noticed that Ezquerra got a big font credit up front - it's pretty faithful to him - I wonder if he liked it.

ps I liked the Stallone one too, but this is much better

Gibsons' Dredd for the win.

I thought it was poor. Very weak plot and actually quite boring for the most part. Acting was good though and there were some good scenes. I don't really get why people are saying it's faithful to the comic though. Yes, it [i]looks[/i] the same, and was very violent, but it was completely lacking in humour/satire/intelligence which are my favourite things about the comics.

completely lacking in humour/satire/intelligence

It gets a big thumbs up from me! 😀

Karl Urban was superb I reckon. Looked just like Ezquerra's Dredd, as already mentioned.
I used to be a big 2000ad (and Starlord before that) fan and was SO disappointed with the Stallone Dredd.

Very weak plot

Have you seen RAID?!!! Even weaker.

Yes but The Raid made up for that with it's stunning fights rather than just being one dull shoot-out after another. I have watched The Raid several times and would gladly see it again but I wouldn't sit through Dredd again if you paid me!

Having a weak plot is completely inexcusable when there's all the comics to fall back on. Don't get it at all.

^^^ It's madness. There are so many great stories and they come up with something so mundane?

completely lacking in humour/satire/intelligence

Dredd as a character is not funny, that is the point. The best writers got humor from his deadpan total straightness. e.g. Arrest an entire city block. There is some of that angle in this film. The Stallone one played for more laughs and that ended up being it's weak point. So its obviously difficult to get right.

A different storyline would have allowed for more satire / intelligence yes.

grown men intellectualizing bloody comics - I'm off

Utter gash. There's zero plot, zero drama, just explosion after explosion. Shite.

There's zero plot, zero drama, just explosion after explosion. AWESOME!

I don't really get why people are saying it's faithful to the comic though. Yes, it looks the same

Yeah, Stallone one looked like the comic, it just didn't feel anything like it- and let's be honest the judge costume has always been ridiculous, it looks even more ridiculous on film. Urban's Dredd doesn't look exactly like a paper judge but looks a lot more like something that might actually exist.

ScottChegg - Member

Urban must curse his agent for that one.

He loved it and was pushing for the sequels, apparently. And he got a lot of credit and visibility for the role. So, probably not. And sure, it's fair as a punter to criticise the results of the low budget but the industry knows how that works.

it's his first leading role that I can think of.
other than that I've only seen him doing low-profile heroic good guys (Lord of the Rings) and cool bad guys (Bourne Supremacy). He was the stand-out person for me in RED. But that is a particularly bad film.