You're a piece of work, Dredd

[reijamira]

I've got a new obsession. And right now I'm obsessing hard about it. HARD!

The object of my obsession?

THIS:


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Dredd (2012). A movie that is four years old, but I only watched it now – and fell instantly for it. It's a shame I didn't watch it in 3D when it was in theater. This movie is outstanding and visually absolutely beautiful! And no, it's not just because Karl Urban is in it. It's the whole atmosphere, the characters, the tone, the world-building, the music (especially that pulsating, heart beat like bass), the action. Everything just fits together. I remember Sylvester Stallone's Judge Dredd from 1995, and I must admit I find Karl Urban's version much better. His Judge Dredd is such a gruff man, a force of nature even, with his grimly set jaw and growly voice. Awww! Very badass! I love it! And the world is more realistic, grittier and post-apocalyptic. Really spectactular! (Read mechanically's post about why the reboot is better than the original.)

There are a lot of spoilery vids and images ahead. And fangirling. So tread lightly. (Also, strong language and violence.)

Judgement time

[Source] Mega City One. The gritty, post-apocalyptic world of Dredd.

America is an irradiated wasteland.
Within it lies a city.
Outside the boundary walls, a desert.
A cursed earth.
Inside the walls, a cursed city,
stretching from Boston to Washington D.C.
An unbroken concrete landscape.
800 million people
living in the ruin of the old world
and the mega structures of the new one.
Mega blocks. Mega highways.
Mega City One.
Convulsing. Choking.
Breaking under its own weight.
Citizens in fear of the street.
The gun. The gang.
Only one thing fighting for order in the chaos:
the men and women of the Hall of Justice.
Juries.
Executioners.
Judges.

This is how the movie starts. And doesn't it sound freaking beautiful how Karl Urban's Dredd narrates this in his rough, growly voice? Listen, watch and melt away:

Watch on YouTube

And because it was so fucking hot, let's take a closer look at just how Judge Dredd is getting ready to prowl the streets:







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Hot damn! Those masculine forearms, and that defined shoulder! Seriously! And he's wearing leather cop gear, guys. Leather cop gear. *faints*

And then, to top it off, he rides that damn bike (the Lawmaster).


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Can't it get any more HOTTER badass?

It can.

Wait for her to shoot you

There is this one scene where Judge Dredd fights against a bad Judge and gets shot. When the bullet hits him he barely grunts. Hell, he even manages to scowl some more. And later, when he gets rescued by his rookie partner he patches himself up. That is, he cauterizes (!) his wound and sutures it with staples. Again, without so much as a grunt. Whew, man! Here, watch how it happens:

Watch on YouTube

This scene right there also pushes my hurt/comfort button. I love hurt!Dredd. Pretty great scene overall! With all that dry humor. :D


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I am the law

Speaking of great scenes. The "I am the law" scene was also epic.

Watch on YouTube

I love how he says it. That composed, deep drawl makes me all weak in the knees. :D


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What I also love about Dredd: we've got a female villain. Ma-Ma, portrayed by Lena Headey who also plays Cersei Lannister in Game of Thrones. And she's really vicious. Dredd's on assessment rookie partner Cassandra Anderson (played by Olivia Thirlby) is also a strong female. Not a damsel in distress. She can hold her ground and doesn't need Judge Dredd to help her out, more to the contrary because she helps him out as we've seen in that hurt!Dredd scene. That's just perfect. Dredd's boss is also a no-nonsense woman. Pretty progressive for an action flick!

It's all the deep end

The dynamic between Dredd and his would-be Judge partner Anderson is also something that gripped me.

Here is how they "meet" for the first time.

Watch on YouTube

I love the way she uses her mutant powers on him. How he just stands there, so in control, all emotions in check.

And isn't Dredd badass here again?

Chief Judge: "See if she makes the grade. Sink or swim. Chuck her in the deep end."

Judge Dredd: "It's all the deep end."

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Uh-huh. He sure knows how messed up the city is.

Here is another clip that shows how they work together, the "two against ten" scene.

Watch on YouTube

Sailing on the Dredd/Anderson ship

Of course I had to jump the Dredd/Anderson ship immediately. I mean, they really do have great chemistry. There are way too many meaningful scenes with a lot of intense stares. So, it was only natural. Besides, there were these beautiful hurt!Dredd and hurt!Anderson scenes. They really killed me. Look, someone made pretty gifs from these scenes:





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Uhm, just in case anyone's got the wrong idea: in the last gif Dredd tends to Anderson's WOUND, you naughty thing you! :D XD

Watch a clip of that special moment here:

Watch on YouTube

"Dredd" sequel: please sign the petition

I really wish there were a sequel, but because Dredd did not well at the box office (due to poor marketing) a sequel is not likely.

And yet, Olivia Thirlby and Karl Urban would be game for a sequel.

Karl Urban: "I’m amenable to being involved in any legitimate and worthy follow up to Dredd, whether it be another theatrical release or a Netflix/Amazon targeted production. I think the best thing that fans can do is to continue be vocal about their support. Organise more fan screenings of Dredd, that’s one of the key factors that helped Blade Runner find its true audience.

I would be blessed and it would be a privilege to make another Dredd. I feel so incredibly grateful to the fans of this movie."

Read more here.

He even tweeted about it:

Dredd 2 : I'd do it !! @netflix or @Amazon . There's a gold mine of Awesome Mega city 1 stories ! https://t.co/5KeUAizPNS

— Karl Urban (@KarlUrban) 21. April 2016

AND, I don't even know how this happened, but apperently Karl Urban and Sylvester Stallone made a musical to sing their pleas for a sequel. HAHAH, Karl Urban sings with his deep Dredd voice. And Sylvester Stallone admits his Dredd "was just a silly piece of shit". It's hilarious!

Watch on YouTube

Bring back DREDD – petition

So, please, I beg you, if you are a Dredd fan sign the petition to bring back DREDD! Maybe we get heard and there will be a sequel. So, pretty please, sign the thing, share it, spread the news, and make a difference.


EEK, that was the most video/gif filled post I ever did. *is drained*


ETA (August 10th, 2017): Exciting news: there might be a Judge Dredd TV series with Karl Urban!

Comments

[reijamira]

You're welcome and you should really watch it. If you like action movies you'll probably like this one, too. It was awesome, even better than John Wick.