Introduction
Judge Dredd is a British science fiction comic book character, created by writer John Wagner and artist Carlos Ezquerra, first appearing in the second issue of 2000 AD in 1977. Dredd became a comic legend as the judge, jury, and executioner in the dystopian, post-apocalyptic metropolis of Mega-City One, in his relentless pursuit of maintaining the law, whatever the cost.
Following Hollywood’s rediscovered love of comic book IP that dated back to Richard Donner’s Superman: The Movie (1978) and rejuvenated with the blockbusting Batman (1989) and Batman Returns (1992), studios were digging deeper for more source material which would hopefully lead to a big-bucks-franchise; including Darkman, Dick Tracy, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (all 1990), The Rocketeer (1991) and The Crow (1994). The big screen debut of Judge Joseph Dredd seemed inevitable.
Cinema Scholars takes you on a deep dive into the 30-year-old film that mixed action, sci-fi, and dark humor, which was criticized for its uneven tone and deviation from the source material. And despite impressive visuals and a notable cast, Judge Dredd received mixed-to-negative reviews but has gained a cult following over time.
Synopsis
Judge Dredd is set in the dystopian future (is there any other type of future, Hollywood?) of the 22nd century. Much of Earth has become a wasteland known as the Cursed Earth. Humanity is concentrated in massive cities called ‘Mega-Cities’. Mega-City One, stretching across the eastern U.S., is plagued by chaos, overpopulation, and crime. To maintain order, an elite law enforcement group known as the Judges serves as judge, jury, and executioner.
One of the most feared and respected Judges is Judge Dredd (Sly), known for his unwavering dedication to the law and brutal efficiency. However, his life is turned upside down when he is falsely accused of murder — a crime seemingly proven by DNA evidence.
Dredd is framed by Rico (Armand Assante), a former Judge who has escaped prison. Rico is Dredd’s genetically identical “brother”, created from the same DNA in a secret project to engineer the perfect Judge. While Dredd rigidly upheld the law, Rico embraced chaos and violence.
Stripped of his badge and sentenced to prison, Dredd escapes with the help of a talkative hacker named Fergie (Rob Schneider). He sets out to clear his name and stop Rico, who is plotting to overthrow the government and create an army of cloned Judges to rule Mega-City One.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9zBb3Q2Kso
In the end, Dredd defeats Rico and uncovers the conspiracy involving the Janus Project, which aimed to create a genetically superior breed of Judges. He restores order to the city and declines a promotion to Chief Justice, choosing instead to return to the streets as a working Judge.
Pre-Production
Armed with a budget of $80 million ($200 million today after inflation), producer Beau Marks and Cinergi Pictures (with backing coming from Disney subsidiary Hollywood Pictures, and distribution by Buena Vista) chose to shoot entirely in the UK, drawn to the country’s “phenomenal” crew talent. Offers were made to Richard Donner and Renny Harlin to direct, but they were declined. Subsequently, Danny Cannon was selected as director. He quickly assembled an ambitious team of young creatives to give the film fresh energy. Effects supervisor Joss Williams added:
“Beau and Danny wanted professionalism. Yet they also wanted a young crew, young blood, fresh ideas and a lot of confidence”
Cannon insisted that as much was done in-camera and/or using practical methods, including the 11-foot-tall, limb-tearing ABC Warrior robot being built as a real animatronic—a decision that paid off. The miniatures for Mega-City One were particularly impressive—some reaching 14 ft tall, giving a palpable sense of scale.
Sylvester Stallone
Cannon nearly cast Arnold Schwarzenegger before settling on Stallone. Stallone, unfamiliar with the source material, demanded that his character remove the iconic helmet early on.
“Nobody was going to pay to see Sly Stallone hide behind a visor for 90 minutes.”
-Ed Power, The Telegraph
Accordingly, Judge Dredd opens with a helmet-off scene 20 minutes in. An early franchise divergence that outraged purists. Fans made the case that the mask equaled anonymity, while the eyes were the window to the soul; however, as they were blacked out, Dredd was able to remain a remorseless law enforcer. Not so in Hollywood.
When it came to full costume, Stallone also had some other ideas. After some early tests, the actor called on the services of his friend, one Gianni Versace, to design a new version of the uniform. In the era of over-the-top 90s costume flair, some bizarre early sketches included an armored codpiece, thankfully scrapped, to the relief of costume designer Emma Porteous.
Co-stars like Diane Lane (Unfaithful), as Judge Hershey, were also caught in the theatrical controversies. When the script called for full nudity, Lane balked:
“I had this phobia that they were going to get my [bum] onscreen at the same time as Sylvester Stallone’s…I’m like Judge Bone and he’s got these cinderblocks for glutes. I cannot be on camera the same time as him”
Filming and Release
Filming took place at Shepperton Studios and UK locales like Bankside Power Station and Kew Gardens. But red tape and bureaucracy weren’t making it any easier. Nonetheless, the seasoned British crew kept the shoot on budget, on schedule, and looking great. Upon release, Judge Dredd was not all doom and gloom. As noted by Empire in their review:
“…it’s the production design and special effects that engage…”
When all was said and done, the film’s production value and the attention to detail in bringing Mega City One to life earned praise across the board. However, critical reception was mixed. Many felt the tone was uneven. Caught between the dark dystopia and action-packed comedy. Cannon’s violent vision, in keeping with the tone of the source, had to be toned down significantly.
A cut of the film was submitted for rating five times, receiving NC-17 each time. Stallone stepped in (again) and recut the film himself, with studio input. Sly felt partly responsible for the original high rating as he “brought too much baggage” with years of over-the-top violence from the Rambo series. Therefore, his cut upped the buddy comedy.
It can be argued that Stallone was influenced by his positive working experience making Demolition Man (1993). So, as a result, the actor was aiming for some of the same lightheartedness (and more Schneider).
Ultimately, Cannon stated he’d never work with another big-name star again. Subsequently, he’s had a successful television career. Stallone, on the other hand, called the film his biggest mistake. The original creator, Carlos Ezquerra, also voiced his disappointment with how the film had no real links with his creation and told the wrong story.
Box Office and Legacy
At the box office, it was another comic book hero who dominated with Batman Forever, along with the real-life heroes of Apollo 13 dominating the domestic and global markets. Judge Dredd ended its worldwide run, grossing $113 million. Ironically, this would be more than the 2012 version, titled Dredd, and starring Karl Urban. That film only grossed $42 million globally.
In hindsight, Sly wanted to make a Stallone Movie, while the director wanted to make a Judge Dredd Film. Unfortunately, Mega City One was not big enough for both of them. The film remains an audacious gamble on practical effects, ambitious creature design, and bold costume styling. It blended youthful ingenuity and rock-solid craftsmanship, but sometimes veered off course into Hollywood compromises at odds with its source.
Despite its flaws, the sheer scale, miniature cities, animatronics, and the wildly ambitious stunts still resonate with FX enthusiasts and fans today. Whether you regard it as a misfire or a visual marvel, the 1995 take on Mega-City One left an undeniable mark. Its production may have been tumultuous, but it remains a testament to creativity, craftsmanship, and that mythic ‘90s blockbuster scale. Is it flawed, fascinating, and utterly unforgettable? You be the judge.
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