JUDGE DREDD
US, 1995, 96 minutes, Colour.
Sylvester Stallone, Armand Assante, Diane Lane, Rob Schneider, Jurgen Prochnow, Max Von Sydow, Balthazar Getty, Joan Chen, Maurice Roves, Joanna Miles, Ewan Bremner.
Directed by Danny Cannon.
Judge and Dredd is yet another comic book to be transferred to the screen. However, it was released of the time of films like The Phantom and The Shadow, before the strong 21st century popularity of graphic novels.
It is loud and colorful. In fact, the Blade Runner, Matrix-style future city and it set-up quite impressive. While themes of lawlessness, governments and control are always interesting, they can get lost here in the action.
Sylvester Stallone is Dredd, but plays it very seriously, with only a skerrick of humor. He is given a sidekick, comedian Rob Schneider, having to blend a serious turn with the comic antics. When he is shot, some will be sorry that he recovers! Armand Assante, however, relishes his role as the larger-than-life (literally) villain. There is a good supporting cast of character actors.
It is all more or less as we would expect, lavishly produced, but lacking the needed light touch. It was directed by British film-maker, Danny Cannon.
The film was not commercially successful. However, there was a remake in 2011, with Karl Urban as the judge. The emphasis was more on special effects and sets than on character. It was much more successful at the box office.
1. The tone of the film: ‘In the third millennium, the world changed. Climate, nations, all were in upheaval. The Earth transformed into a poisonous, scorched desert, known as "The Cursed Earth". Millions of people crowded into a few Megacities, where roving bands of street savages created violence the justice system could not control. Law, as we know it, collapsed. From the decay rose a new order, a society ruled by a new, elite force. A force with the power to dispense both justice and punishment.‘
2. The impact of the film? From the 1990s? Before the bigger budget graphic novel and comic strip films? The character of Judge Dredd? Sylvester Stallone? Screen presence, serious, not having the light touch?
3. The impact of the sets? The future city in all its detail? Exteriors, light and darkness, streets, transport? The buildings? Illustrating the apocalyptic style of the future?
4. The collapse of law, the administration of justice, the divisions of the region? The role of the judges and the administration of authorities?
5. The film focusing on the judges, the problems of justice, especially for Dredd, rather than on the ordinary people?
6. Dredd, justice, tough, harsh? Overstepping the bounds? Physical violence? His friendship with Judge Rico? The arrest for murder? Imprisonment? Dredd’s reaction? His discussions with Judge Hershey? Discovery of the framing? His disillusionment with Rico? His getting out of prison, solving the situation?
7. Judge Ferguson and his significance? Character? Asking Dredd to teach ethics? The role of the other judges? The characters, administration? Dr. Hayden, her complicity with Rico? Dealt with by Dredd?
8. Rob Schneider as an unexpected judge, his comic turns, complementary to Dredd? His being shot, reviving?
9. The buildup to the confrontation, Rico and Dredd? The role of the other judges? Dangers for the population?
10. The resolution of the conflict? The future for the Mega-cities? For the judges? For Dredd himself?
