As more and more news of the Pete Travis movie version of ‘Judge Dredd’ come out, fans that were initially apprehensive about the project have actually become more and more excited. First we had the news that Judge Dredd creator John Wagner was actually looking forward to this film and just a couple of weeks ago the MPAA gave the movie an “R” rating leaving fans anticipating that this may be the film the anti-hero comic character truly deserves.
To prove this, Lionsgate has just released 4 more stills that show that Travis is keeping to his word about staying true to the comic series. The new images look gritty and dark which seems apropos to what one would expect from the film. We get another look of Karl Urban as Judge Dredd as well as co-stars Olivia Thirlby (‘The Darkest Hour’, ‘Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles’) as his partner, Langly Kirkwood (‘Outcast’, ‘The Bone Snatcher’), and the ominous looking Deobia Oparei (‘Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides’, ‘Thunderbirds’). We also have a first look of Lena Headey (‘Game of Thrones’) as the fiendishly villainous Ma-Ma (who was derived from the comic character Madeleine Madrigal) who heads a terrorist organization to flood Mega-City One with a powerful reality altering drug called Slo-Mo.
The fact that it is rated R is a step in the right direction.
It looks promising. It could be a big success if it stays true to the comics and there is a lot more tolerance for gritty comic book adaptations now compared to when the first film came out.
Don't know if I like the uniform... Seems more sensible to have smaller shoulder pads, but I've always liked the giant ones in the comics.
The uniforms in the Sly version were the best thing about that movie, if only all Street Judges had had the eagle, instead of just the senior ones.
It can't be any cornier or more cliche than the Stallone movie.
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Lux_Lucis wrote:Don't know if I like the uniform... Seems more sensible to have smaller shoulder pads, but I've always liked the giant ones in the comics.
The uniforms in the Sly version were the best thing about that movie, if only all Street Judges had had the eagle, instead of just the senior ones.
Melissia wrote:It can't be any cornier or more cliche than the Stallone movie.
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Lux_Lucis wrote:Don't know if I like the uniform... Seems more sensible to have smaller shoulder pads, but I've always liked the giant ones in the comics.
The uniforms in the Sly version were the best thing about that movie, if only all Street Judges had had the eagle, instead of just the senior ones.
Including Officer Codpiece?
Better to have one than not I'd argue British Army brought them back recently.
Also, it covered a gap in parts that should be protected. Knee and elbow pads and his torso, but not that?
Well he got a similar reaction when he was first noted as playing Bones in Star Trek.
Although I don't pick up the comic, I do like Dredd, so will want to see this. The fact they are going with the R rating says a lot to me though. Sadly seems to take some courage in Hollywood at the moment not to go for the insane ammount of sales a PG-12 would bring. Even when often its at the cost of a watered down film, which proves to be poor or lacking compared to its source material.
I'm really excited about this. I'm a massive fan of 2000AD, and the last film was such a wasted opportunity. Yes, I guess it was fun in a blockbuster kind of way, but any true fan of the comic books will know that it missed the mark.
The 'R' rating is a step in the right direction, the real question for me will be whether it catches the 'soul' of the comic book - i.e. the mix between the dark sense of humour/satire and the violence. I think it's really important that they get some strong characterisation with the main protagonists as well - the feeling of connection, the powerful stories that have existed in the comic book, I think have been through connection by the reader to the characters around Dredd - not the man himself, who really is something of an automaton.
So, if they can get that right (and by all accounts the guy making the film is really into it) then hopefully we will have a real 2000AD and Judge Dredd movie, something that the Stallone movie most certainly wasn't.
Interestingly enough, I wonder how many posters on Dakka realise how instrumental 2000AD/Judge Dredd was to the formation of Games Workshop, and 40k? There were so many similarities in the style of how Rogue Trader was written, and the entire grim-dark setting could almost have been lifted straight from 2000AD. Rick Priestly and a lot of the other guys in those days were big fans of the comic (and in fact some of the BL writers, such as Dan Abnett - who has been so instrumental in fleshing out the 40k universe - used to write for the comic).
I don't think the helmet looks that bad on Urban tbh.
Could the lack of massive shoulder pads be down to it being a fairly early point in Dredd's career? Do giant shoulder pads come with seniority?
Medium of Death wrote:I don't think the helmet looks that bad on Urban tbh.
*snip*
Could the lack of massive shoulder pads be down to it being a fairly early point in Dredd's career? Do giant shoulder pads come with seniority?
You can always tell how important someone is by looking at how big their shoulder pads/codpiece/hat are.
I'm excited.
I actually like the 1995 movie, yes it was cheesey, and yes I hated sly, the plot, and well...everything about it. but it was a Dredd movie.
I'm actually a little disappointed they decided to go "realistic" with the uniforms. The shoulderpads are kind of part of the whole Judge package, making them look like a skateless roller derby team makes me a little ><, but it being another Dredd movie I am ^^.
Con: The judge dread costume always looked silly (but hey, at least it isn't spandex. Looking at you, X-Men and Superman and 100 others).
Indifferent: I don't know jack about Judge Dredd.
So, I give the movie a rating of "Meh" until I see a trailer.
He was also the mercenary in a Bourne movie, Eomer in the LOTR trilogy, and Necron commander in Chronicles of Riddick.
I like him but those stills do nothing for me at all. Then again I always thought the Judge Dredd comic pics I've seen (limited) were utterly stupid.
Con: The judge dread costume always looked silly (but hey, at least it isn't spandex. Looking at you, X-Men and Superman and 100 others).
Indifferent: I don't know jack about Judge Dredd.
So, I give the movie a rating of "Meh" until I see a trailer.
He was also the mercenary in a Bourne movie, Eomer in the LOTR trilogy, and Necron commander in Chronicles of Riddick.
I like him but those stills do nothing for me at all. Then again I always thought the Judge Dredd comic pics I've seen (limited) were utterly stupid.
You forgot him in Doom too. But then again, it was an understandable thing to forget.
Morathi's Darkest Sin wrote:Well he got a similar reaction when he was first noted as playing Bones in Star Trek.
Really? Did Dr McCoy have an unfortunately phallic silhouette too?
No, but McCoy was a D*ck.
Given a choice between this and the hobbit, I know which one I'd pay money to see (and it doesn't involve short hairy footed folk, wizards and singing dwarves).
alarmingrick wrote:You forgot him in Doom too. But then again, it was an understandable thing to forget.
I actually thought Doom was a pretty fun action movie, as long as you didn't expect it to, you know, have anything to do with Doom.
Your nuts. EVERYTHING in that movie was total gak. And I mean everything.
CT GAMER wrote:I'm amazed we can soundly pass judgement on a movie based upon a few still pics.
+1000 internets points to all of you.
Agreed. Sometimes the internet really annoys me. Its the Heath Ledger as joker thing all over again.How many people tasted foot after that one came out?
Well, the images, or rather their "redesign" of the Judge uniforms, do speak for themselves, and make it look like some kind of cheap fan-film rather than a professional production like the first movie. And the lead actor's body is obviously not even remotely close to the comic Dredd, which makes me think his name was picked because people liked him in a completely different movie with a completely different theme, where he played a completely different personality.
As silly as the first movie was, I think that for me it will remain superior to this rehash. At least they've stayed close to the comic design and Dredd's appearance.
As for the Heath Ledger thing, I actually maintain that he wasn't the Joker for me. He was a different kind of Joker. He certainly succeeded in this role. Maybe Urban will also do a good version of a different Dredd - but just like with the Joker, it's not going to be the one from the comics.
Lynata wrote:Maybe Urban will also do a good version of a different Dredd - but just like with the Joker, it's not going to be the one from the comics.
And I would argue that you have absolutely know way of knowing that at this time.
I understand the need for some to be distanced hipsters who want everyone to know how something just isn't cool enough to waste their time on, but lets actually see some live footage first...
CT GAMER wrote:And I would argue that you have absolutely know way of knowing that at this time.
Well, we have the photos, so there's no need to watch the movie to discern whether he or Stallone look better in the role as Dredd. Same for the uniforms.
If you're looking forward to this, by all means, don't let others persuade you from watching it. We all have our own opinions and preferences, which is why I think one shouldn't place too much emphasis on "reviews" written by other random people. But an internet discussion where only positive opinions are admitted would be pretty lame, wouldn't it?
Pacific wrote:I'm really excited about this. I'm a massive fan of 2000AD, and the last film was such a wasted opportunity. Yes, I guess it was fun in a blockbuster kind of way, but any true fan of the comic books will know that it missed the mark.
The 'R' rating is a step in the right direction, the real question for me will be whether it catches the 'soul' of the comic book - i.e. the mix between the dark sense of humour/satire and the violence. I think it's really important that they get some strong characterisation with the main protagonists as well - the feeling of connection, the powerful stories that have existed in the comic book, I think have been through connection by the reader to the characters around Dredd - not the man himself, who really is something of an automaton.
So, if they can get that right (and by all accounts the guy making the film is really into it) then hopefully we will have a real 2000AD and Judge Dredd movie, something that the Stallone movie most certainly wasn't.
Interestingly enough, I wonder how many posters on Dakka realise how instrumental 2000AD/Judge Dredd was to the formation of Games Workshop, and 40k? There were so many similarities in the style of how Rogue Trader was written, and the entire grim-dark setting could almost have been lifted straight from 2000AD. Rick Priestly and a lot of the other guys in those days were big fans of the comic (and in fact some of the BL writers, such as Dan Abnett - who has been so instrumental in fleshing out the 40k universe - used to write for the comic).
Didn't GW release a Judge dredd wargame?
Also these look fantastic but once they anounce that the dark judges are in it then call me...
warpcrafter wrote:As long as Rob Schneider isn't in it, I'm happy.
Great, you probably just ensured him at least a cameo!
Cameos are one thing. I wont care so much if he gets bumped in a crowed hallway or something. Just no real spots in the movie. Personally, I think hes the main reason that movie had so much suck. If you hold your hand up over the side of the screen hes on, and say "LALALALALALALAAAAA" when he says his lines, that Stallone movie was pretty decent
Pacific wrote:I'm really excited about this. I'm a massive fan of 2000AD, and the last film was such a wasted opportunity. Yes, I guess it was fun in a blockbuster kind of way, but any true fan of the comic books will know that it missed the mark.
The 'R' rating is a step in the right direction, the real question for me will be whether it catches the 'soul' of the comic book - i.e. the mix between the dark sense of humour/satire and the violence. I think it's really important that they get some strong characterisation with the main protagonists as well - the feeling of connection, the powerful stories that have existed in the comic book, I think have been through connection by the reader to the characters around Dredd - not the man himself, who really is something of an automaton.
So, if they can get that right (and by all accounts the guy making the film is really into it) then hopefully we will have a real 2000AD and Judge Dredd movie, something that the Stallone movie most certainly wasn't.
Interestingly enough, I wonder how many posters on Dakka realise how instrumental 2000AD/Judge Dredd was to the formation of Games Workshop, and 40k? There were so many similarities in the style of how Rogue Trader was written, and the entire grim-dark setting could almost have been lifted straight from 2000AD. Rick Priestly and a lot of the other guys in those days were big fans of the comic (and in fact some of the BL writers, such as Dan Abnett - who has been so instrumental in fleshing out the 40k universe - used to write for the comic).
Didn't GW release a Judge dredd wargame?
Also these look fantastic but once they anounce that the dark judges are in it then call me...
There was an RPG and skirmish game. Mongoose have an RPG and figures out at the moment, figures have a kind of comic book style to them. I have a few Judges from the range, unpainted at the moment.
I was worried about this when I saw the Lawmaster. That was months and months ago. Any misgivings I had have been put to rest by the trailer. I am really looking forward to this and, as some of you might have guessed, I'm a pretty big fan of Old Stony Face.
No lantern-jawed Stallone slurring "I AM DAW LAWWWW"=No thanks.
Just kidding. I'll probably see it even if it's terrible. Hell, especially if it's terrible, because even terrible action and horror movies are fun. Unless they're Dungeon Siege.
RatBot wrote:No lantern-jawed Stallone slurring "I AM DAW LAWWWW"=No thanks.
Just kidding. I'll probably see it even if it's terrible. Hell, especially if it's terrible, because even terrible action and horror movies are fun. Unless they're Dungeon Siege.
One good thing is that I believe John Wagner has come out and said "It's alright" and "true to the source material". While that might not sound like a ringing endorsement, the guy has a reputation for speaking his mind. I believe he said something along the lines of "what a pile of crap" when the Stallone vehicle was released, which didn't go down to well with the studio people
It must be a generational thing. When I was 16 this might have been promising. I did see the Stallone one.
Now, movies like this seem like a waste of valuable movie/series time. It just doesn't look good. Doesn't look well acted. Doesn't look like it has a good plot or writing.
But for you who see it, I hope its fun. Everyone needs popcorn movies and I've sure seen my share of them.
Long time Dredd fan here and while it seems they have lost allot of the MC1 character (cartoonyness?) that I thought the Stallone film conveyed well, they seem to have Dredd down well.
I'm not sue why a manta prowl tank wasn't bringing justice to a block full of Spugs but I'm sure there is a good reason.
Frazzled wrote:It just doesn't look good. Doesn't look well acted. Doesn't look like it has a good plot or writing.
It's hard to believe we're looking at the same trailer. There's a lot to be said for different eyes, I guess. When I look at this trailer, I see a very elemental story about law and chaos.
I'm really surprised by the negative reaction this film is getting, here and elsewhere. I had no idea a Dredd movie would be up against this much ... well, I don't know what to call it.
Indeed, very pleased. To be fair, I also thought of The Raid as well. I just wanted to share that it takes place on Earth in the future, not on another planet.
Frazzled wrote:Again taste. This ain't gonna be no goddamn Shakespeare.
Again ignorance. It's not supposed to be.
Its not ignorance if people don't want to see what looks like a 'meh' B movie. Your high handedness on whats good or not is...just so cute.
Its ok to say this is going to be a meh popcorn movie and that you like meh popcorn movies. I liked Lilo and Stitch enough to have a L and S themed birthday party (complete with lots mai tais!) but I'm perfectly fine admitting its just a kids movie.
Now the similarities to Stitch and TBone the weiner dog terror or Texas are indeed striking, but thats another thread.
on the other hand, i ncan't seeing anyone screaming " I AM THE LAW" other than Stallone, or maybe Dr. Ruth.
People who are actually familiar with the comic are in a better position than people who are not to say whether or not this looks like a good interpretation of the comic. Well, I suppose that depends on what you mean by "position." If all you mean is "can post on the internet" then yeah we all have the same capacity. As to this being a B-Film, I don't really object. Lots of great movies are B-films. Many B-Films are much better than "A-Films."
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Ahtman wrote:One simple rule - DON'T. TAKE OFF. THE HELMET.
Urban is on board. He compared it to The Good The Bad And The Ugly. You don't say at the end: "man, I know nothing about that guy 'cause I never knew his name."
Ahtman wrote:One simple rule - DON'T. TAKE OFF. THE HELMET.
Ever. In fact they need to show him sleeping, replete with Three Stooges sleeping sound effects, in bed with a teddy bear (also in uniform) and his helmet.
Manchu wrote:People who are actually familiar with the comic are in a better position than people who are not to say whether or not this looks like a good interpretation of the comic. Well, I suppose that depends on what you mean by "position." If all you mean is "can post on the internet" then yeah we all have the same capacity. As to this being a B-Film, I don't really object. Lots of great movies are B-films. Many B-Films are much better than "A-Films."
See there you go. Once we get to "I'm a comic guy who likes comic action movies" we're cool.
I do like the female as a bad guy.
For me, the most exciting thing is Olivia Thirlby as Judge Anderson. Cassandra Anderson is my favorite fictional character across every genre. I'm nervous that people might not "get" the character because she was put in as a counter-measure for how people responded to Joe Dredd with pro-fascist cheering. Anderson is a reminder that the whole thing is absurd, maybe downright evil, but we should try our best anyhow. Over the years, Dredd has come to embody some of that, too. But Anderson, who has always been ready with a witty retort, is the original.
I've honestly never thought comic books translate well to the big screen. The post-Spiderman Marvel films and Nolan's Batman being exceptions. Somehow things that look awesome in print often come out looking silly on camera I this looks silly to me. But then I didn't like the Stallone one either... or maybe that's cause I just don't like Stallone...
British Army brought them back recently.
