TF Issue 187: Is it just me? Judge Dredd...

[Lizhawkins]

On page 161 of TF issue 187, Andrew Lowry asks:

"Is it just me... or is Judge Dredd just fine?"



Here are a few excerpts:

When Judge Dredd was released back in 1995, it was panned. Seemingly every critic in the western world labelled it “Dredd-full,” then sat back, proud as punch with the pun like the smug gits we critics are.

And you know what? They were wrong. Sure, you’d be unwise to hold your breath for a 20th anniversary retrospective in Sight & Sound, but here’s what the screening-room lurkers missed: as a reflection of its source material, which has now raised two generations of Brit comic book aficionados, Judge Dredd is nigh perfect.

Yes, 2000 AD readers, he does take his helmet off. Which for some – OK, many – was sacrilege. But it was the ’90s, it had to be a studio picture to get the necessary effects budget, you couldn’t secure the moolah without a big star, and there’s no way the money men would fork out for Stallone without seeing his face onscreen. And yes, Dredd does have a snog – admittedly for less clear reasons.

Check out the full article in Issue 187 - on sale 27 October 2011.

Agree? Disagree? Have your say below - a selection will be printed in the next issue...

[Jeffbiscuits]

Stallone's Judge Dredd has always been a guilty pleasure of mine. It's up there with Demolition Man as a no-brainer sci-fi
action film. It's NOT Judge Dredd though. I think if I ever compared it too much to my favourite childhood comic character, then I would end up hating it. Stallone isn't playing Judge Dredd, he's playing Stallone and the differences between this and the source material allow me to distance them enough to enjoy the film as a seperate entity. The Karl Urban version seems to be sticking a lot closer to the feel of the comics, though so if they screw that up I won't be pleased.

[jaykays hat]

I agree with Jeffbiscuits, Stallones Dredd is not a bad film but it is not Judge Dredd just a no brainer sci-fi film. I am looking forward to the new version but I would rather have seen an unknown play the role of Dredd.

[LSJShez]

I know this is a paradox, before I start, but for two reasons I can't comment on this one. 1. I haven't watched it through since I saw it at the cinema (Unfortunately in the days long before my monthly pass), and 2. In order to put valid points across, it would mean I'd have to sit through it again, which I'm not willing to do.
All I remember is that Rob Schneider was the most irritating I'd ever seen him.

[fortunesfool]

The Production design, costuming and music scoring are all spot on for a Judge Dredd film but the casting of Stallone was just an epic fail and the whole thing stands or falls on that. When he gets off the bike and mumbles 'I am the law' I didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

Rob Schnieder. Enough said.

The trailer is awesome though.

My fear for the new movie is that they've 'grunged' it up and it's directed by an anonymous shaky-cam hack and, as a result, will just blend in with the rest of the mediocre dross.

[gordonmclean]

It was an abomination. Stallone at his most slurry didn't help. The only thing they got right was the Mean Machine.

[bevnjas]

Judge Dredd is one of my favourite films, I have watch it too many times to count.

[oui3d]

I was the wrong market. 2000AD reader (from the start) not so much a Dredd fan but read and enjoyed them enough to know the world. (If you'd asked me at the time I, like many would have said Verhoeven without hesitation.)

I went to see it on the basis of the imagery and Silvestri's pitch perfect music for the trailer. (Of the movie i'd made in my head!)

Sadly the Stallone/Schneider combo and the by the numbers script drained it of any worth.

In hindsight it's just a wasted opportunity.... I still want my money back.

[senlac]

Not a bad film - could have been better. As it stands, only a stallone ego-fest

[Payboss]

Yup I also agree with Jeffbiscuites .... a good enough stand alone film that is not really Judge Dredd. A classic case of ego over art though ...... cliched as it is ..... the helmet should never come off.......