Often when a new remake is announced, fans will groan, and ask why is it nessicary to do-over what would already be a fantastic movie. We often wonder why film makers don't look to remake films that have fallen short of their potention, where the idea was a good one, but through poor direction, or other elements, it ended up being a poor film. One such film was 1995's Judge Dredd.
I was a fan of the comics when I was a kid, and the film was something I was so giddy and excited about at the time. I thought Stallone was cool, so it was perfect. I was pretty let down, but I guess at the time I couldn't figure out what was so bad about it, being just a young fellow. It was only when I caught the film again on TV when I was a little older was I able to appreciate just how awful it was.
The biggest problem was that we didn't really get a Judge Dredd film, what we got was a buddy action/comedy starring Sylvester Stallone and Rob Schneider dressed up as a Judge Dredd film. It's also a big criticism that while we've never seen Dredd take his helmet off in the comics, Sly ditched it pretty early on, and spent most of the film without it, so the film didn't stay dressed up very long. Honestly, if there's one superhero franchise that desperately needs a reboot it's this, especially considering the ultraviolent Robocop (Which in turn had been heavily inspired by Dredd) did what the Judge Dredd film should have, providing a hard-hitting and brutal yet entertaining film, steeped in social commentary.
Call it a remake, or a fresh adaptation, it's something that would sorely need to be done. Get a good script, someone like V For Vendetta helmer James McTeigue to direct, and Hellboy star Ron Perlman as Judge Dredd, then we'd have a sure-fire winner.
28-Feb-2008
One film that desperately needs to be remade... Judge Dredd.
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Personally I have always felt that anything from the 2000AD universe would have benefited more of being animed or "manga-cised".
You know, that wouldn't be a bad idea at all.
I do think a lot of films have captured a similar visual style to Dredd's world, that huge sprawling future city, such as Blade Runner, so I think it could easily translate to a live action film, but I certainly wouldn't knock an animated effort, especially when you consider future visions like Akira.
well, sylvester stallone is hot
I never read the comics, but I loved the movie. The great dynamics between comedy genius Rob Schneider and hardman Sly Stallone was stellar.
I wouldn't mind a sequel at all. I would like Tango & Cash 2 before that though.
Another one would be Demolition Man. Hope Sly still has some sequels in him.
Hang on...
"Comedy genius" Rob Schneider?
If there was to be a remake I just hope they make a decent Lawmaster with big fat tires, thats what ruined the film for me.
That was what ruined it for you gammagoblin? Not the myriad of other problems?
oh where to begining - Rico! mean machine! the robot that was obviously Hammerstein from the ABC warriors. Rob Schneider! The absolute appalling mess of a storyline when there are literally loads they could have chosen. Although with the "Fergie" character they would have been stuck with the Cal storyline
The rendition of the Lawmaster sums up the entire production of the movie, cheap and nasty.
Interesting choice. My main gripe with Dredd is that it was not only a farcical adaption of the comic, it didn't even hold it's own as a retro sci-fi action flick reminiscent of Demolition man or even the likes of Total Recall, which at worst it always had the potential to steal from successfully. The problems were not even a varying gang of subtleties, but those of the glaringly cliched in-your-face kind.
The initial atmosphere and visual style was quite decent, so it wasn't as if the film was doomed in all aspects, and it all seemed so promising...well, before Stallone opened his mouth really, which leads to a whole load of hilariously predictable events, none of which are remotely interesting on the counts of a good action film or a faithful adaption.
The only 'good' scene for me personally would probably be the one in which Dredd is intervening in the Block War, and we get a magnificant shot of the huge, sprawling city and the tracers flying across from building to building. Great stuff, and hugely promising. Pity again it's completely ruined by Stallone, although to be fair it'd be more accurately attributed to the pathetic dialogue shared with the cliched, power range style villians and direction.
Well said Terrorfirmer.
One thing I forgot was the horrible recurring catchphrase "I knew you'd say that..." which was just utterly dumb as hell.
I enjoy it, it's not high art but I can put the DVD on and relax for 90 odd minutes. Like Constantine I look at it as a very loose adaptation of the source material and just enjoy it for what it is.
The other side of me, the massive comic book geek want's to strangle Danny cannon and the studio but if I did then I'd proborably get a fine of 250 dollars, that is if the Judge and Jury are comic book fans. Otherwise I'd be spending a long time in prison and you know what they do to guys like me in prison. They'd make me clean all the pots and pans.
I know it's not high art, but why can't we expect something better from our comic book adaptations? What about Batman Begins? X-Men 2? I don't think it's too much to ask for something of that caliber.
If you want a truely horrible comic book film look no furthur than Nick Fury: Agent of Shield. Watch it, then tell me how bad Judge Dredd is.
I'd like to see that just for the Hoff. But interestingly enough, they are making a new Nick Fury film, scheduled for 2010.
I only knew Judge Dredd from the Anthrax song (RESPECT THE BADGE, HE EARNED WITH HIS BLOOD!), and Scott Ian said something very close to what terrorfirmer posted back when it was released. Back when I saw it, I thought it sucked. I'd love to see a new one, and this time, they must include I Am the Law somewhere in there.
WampaOne
Dredd definitely deserves to be remade. I too was an avid collector of the original Eagle Comics series and was sickened by this adaptation.
I'd love to see a movie with the Dark Judges (Death, Fear, Fire and Mortis) laying waste to Mega-City One...
The Dark Judges is definitely something I'd like to see, but perhaps in a sequel. I can imagine it being pretty heavy going for a first film.
This film should never have been made pg-13. Dredd needs to be remade and given the hard R treatment.
As a kid I loved the comics. Im an irish reader of the Fleetway Megazine fortnightly releases. This film made me want to have a sh*t on sylvester stallones face. It was just on the telly there now and i am weak with rage at how utterly money-train the thing is- Im all for a hulk-style remake. The 95 version just doesnt cut the cheese- Dredd is all about the cold hard edge, no time or room for bullcrap schnider- The film was obviously trying to include 'something for everyone' why oh why oh why have the creators allowed this blight on blight to ever be inflicted on us??
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