We’ve all been eager for a look at the new trailer for DREDD, if for no other reason than to see if it’s something worthwhile or, as many have suspected, a low-budget mess. Well, prepare to pass judgment as the trailer is ready for its day in court.
Court’s in session:
For me, this looks pretty awesome. It has a very early 90’s flavor to it with some grit and style to match. The story seems to follow a structure much like the break-out hit THE RAID, which is kind of cool as well.
In short, they just don’t make ’em like this enough. Some will probably chalk this up to something akin to LOCKOUT, which was a cheesy low-budget film that didn’t seem to know it (in terms of budget, anyway). DREDD seems to have realized its strengths and played them justly, mostly focusing on simple muzzle flash and ass kicking. It looks like a less glitzy DEMOLITION MAN with low profile actors who won’t get in the way of themselves.
I’m breathing easy. This looks pretty sweet.
Here’s the synopsis:
Dredd takes place on a fictional Earth created as a result of the Atomic Wars. Survivors of this period are living in Mega-Cities, which protects its citizens from the Cursed Earth, a radioactive desert environment populated by mutants. The main story takes place in Mega-City One, where the police who are now called judges have the power to use police brutality to some extent to fight extreme murders. One man, Judge Dredd (Karl Urban), a senior law enforcement officer, teams up with a cadet called Judge Anderson (Olivia Thirlby) to track down a terrorist organization lead by Ma-Ma (Lena Headey), who is responsible for selling a reality-altering drug called Slo-Mo.
Starring Karl Urban as Dredd, Olivia Thirlby as Cassandra Anderson, and Lena Headey as the villainous Madeline “Ma-Ma” Madrigal, DREDD is directed by Pete Travis (VANTAGE POINT) and its theaters in 2D and 3D on September 21, 2012.