If there’s one thing I could change about this review, I would add an “Asspen” reference. If you don’t have an Asspen reference, you’re gonna have a bad time… 😉
Also, you could have said that Rob Schneider’s performance was NOT 24-carat comedy!
That’s why I married you. 🙂 (in case anyone is wondering, that’s my wife)
I was thinking of putting in an Asspen joke but I just couldn’t figure out one to put in. I’m sure I’ll put in an Asspen gag when I do Aspen Extreme or Extreme Ops. 🙂
You do realize I’m now going to torture you with the “Rob Schneider is…” voice?
I actually took a break from Borderlands 2 to watch this review. Good stuff. I really like how much behind-the-scenes stuff you add.
I think the backlash against the movie has to do with Max von Sydow not being revealed as the bad guy. That’s practically unheard of, and audiences can’t cope with such unmainstream ideas.
I take that as a high compliment considering how all I’ve seen on Steam and Xbox is how everyone is parked in front of their machines playing Borderlands 2. I’d like to play the game but I just don’t have the time. If I got it any and all work would cease, much like what happened when the first one came out. I think I’ll hold off until Christmas time.
I had a ton of behind the scenes stuff but I cut a good bit of it when it was getting long winded.
Max Von Sydow…a hero? Surely you jest. He somehow was the real mastermind behind this whole thing. lol
I didn’t know that they were trying to make a Dredd film since the 80’s.
I wonder what was the thinking behind making Tank Girl, another British comic into a film in the same year?
The Stallone version has gotten a lot more heat now because the new film is coming out which apparently is not doing to well in North America as it is one of the year’s biggest flops despite getting some good reviews.
Sci-Fier Reboot Dredd Makes Abysmal Debut in North America: One of Year’s Biggest Bombs
22 September 2012 3:32 PM, PDT | Alt Film Guide | See recent Alt Film Guide news »
Dredd 3D box office: One of 2012’s major domestic bombs Dredd 3D, the much-anticipated (in some quarters) action sci-fier, opened at no. 5 on the North American box-office chart, with a dismal $2.23 million on Friday according to studio estimates found at the web site Box Office Mojo. Directed by Peter Travis and starring Karl Urban in the title role, Dredd will probably bring in around $6 million to 6.5 million for the weekend — despite 3D surcharges. (Above photo: Urban as the film’s title character.) That would be a downright abysmal opening — worse than the already dreadful $8 million to $10 million that pundits had predicted — for the much-talked about reboot of the Sylvester Stallone movie Judge Dredd, which debuted with a already-not-that-impressive $12.29 million ($22.6 million adjusted for inflation) back in 1995. A Lionsgate release, Dredd has a reported $45 million to 50 million budget.
Tank Girl is an oddity. Originally they had the much a much prettier but less wacky lead Emily Lloyd to play Tank Girl. She bailed and the production decided to just make things up as they went along. The director didn’t film some key scenes, which is why they had to go back and animate so much. In the end it gave it a distinct look almost in spite of itself. Its almost as if they got the license and then didn’t know what to do with it.
Such a shame the new Dredd is doing so poorly. It figures, a movie that is getting massive praise is being beaten by typical hollywood garbage.
Great review, and thanks for the smack to people who freaked out over his helmet coming off.
I didn’t have a problem with Rob Schneider in this. While he’s only good in very small doses (and I’ll admit to shamefully loving The Copy Machine Guy), I think he worked okay here. Sure, comic relief wasn’t necessary, but the wasn’t crazy, over-the-top Rob Schneider like he is in Adam Sandler’s movies or (shudder) his own movies. And I still giggle at the scene when he figures out who Dredd is, “Oh, Mr. I Am The Law…”
I’m looking forward to the reboot too, and I love Karl Urban, but something seems wrong about his helmet. It just seems a little too big. Like it’s too wide or something.
Thanks! I can’t believe people are still on about the helmet. Did they not see how close the uniform was to the real thing?! Sometimes when making movies you have to pick your battles. If the helmet would have stayed off maybe the producers would have pushed to have the outfit look less like the comic.
I know Rob Schneider is a punching bag of sorts but I do enjoy his stuff. Seriously, Big Stan had me laughing my balls off. The “I am the law” line was ad libbed and Stallone liked it so much they kept it in.
I’m cool with Urban’s helmet…wait…that sounds off. I’m cool with the new Dredd style helmet Urban wears in the new movie. It looks closer to the helmet from some of the later books.
I can’t hear that line without thinking that he knows you’re Batman. haha.
What I don’t get is why computers in the future have translucent monitors. Whats the point in being able to see what is behind your screen? That seems like it would be the information harder to read. Then again computers in movies, only use large, easy to read text in the shortest possible sentences.
Much like Masters of the Universe, adaptations of any comic, cartoon or video game properties were not as common in the 80s and 90s as they are today, so I’m learning to take movies like this with a little more salt. Though I think I would like to find some of the original comics before watching either Dredd film.
LOL great point. In the future no one can play minesweeper while they are at work because everyone can see through their screen.
Comic book movies were the bastard children of the 80s and 90s. A few of them were made and some were hits (Superman, Batman) but most of them were treated poorly by giving them a tiny budget and no support. (marketing, etc) It only took them until the 2000s with Spider-man, The X-men, and so on before they realized they were shitting on a gold mine.
The books are out there, I recommend checking them out they are good reads.
Odd…I know the vocal audio from the movie was being pushed through the left channel for some reason but it still should have been good to hear. I always test them with headphones and without before launch.
I am happy someone else like this movie. I love it. When I first rented it, I watched it like twice. Now I own it. I always found the costumes and environment to look pretty awesome. I knew there was a comic of it that’s it . So when he took his helmet off I didn’t see the big deal. Lately with the new Judge Dredd movie coming out. This movie been getting a lot of crap of late . It’s not that bad so I don’t understand all the angry towards it. Anyhoo that’s my 5 cents. Great job always my friend. I usually wait and see your stuff on youtube. However I figured I will simply go to the source. Take care.
Some movies I get why people don’t like but this one has an almost irrational hatred. The set designs alone make it worth watching. Oh well, no pleasing some people.
loved your review. I also loved how you included all that info on the movie wanted to get made since the 80’s. keep up the good work, and the new judge dredd looks awesome.
Thanks! I just wanted to show that this wasn’t some quick attempt at a cash in. They worked long and hard to try and make this happen. While I would like to see how it would have turned out without the studio and Stallone meddling (the rumored director’s cut) I think the current result it still a good movie.
As usual Cecil, you deliver another outstanding review. 20 minutes of pure bliss. I also love all the information you give us about the movie before, during and after production. Keep up the good work!!!
P.S. – Did I notice a few new movies in the opening??? Don’t remember seeing the classic “Catwoman” on there before????
Well I guess in the remake to Robocop they are focusing more on the Judge Dredd influence as his main form of transport is a motorcycle. I don’t know if that is just coincidence or not.
I don’t know if it is just pictures on set without his make up/SFX added but when he doesn’t have his helmet on he just looks like a guy in a suit as opposed to a cyborg unlike the original Robocop.
I am fairly optimistic about the remake as long as it is not PG-13 as everything associated with Robocop after the 1st film has been crap with 2 bad sequels and a cartoon series except when he appeared on WCW wrestling that was awesome. 🙂
Robocop is just one of those holy grail franchises that should be left alone. A reboot can’t possibly top the original. I’m curious to see it but I’m not holding my breath expecting it to be good. I would just rather they take all this work and talent and do something new.
Oh and Robocop 2 kicks ass. 3 was a mess but the producers ruined that one.
I guess I would have to watch Robocop 2 again as the last time I saw it was when it came out on VHS.
Can’t remember much about the film and no one ever talks about the sequels so it didn’t have any lasting impressions like the first film although I was not expecting it to.
2 is the extremities of the first one taken to the Nth degree. The kind of spoofed themselves at times and for me, it totally worked. It was definitely more tongue in cheek than the first and I think that upset some people. They couldn’t wrap their brain around the comedy, mixed with horrific violence and the injection of social commentary. They went a little deeper into the corruption of the city and the lengths those in charge would go to to keep their grip. Cain was a great villain, although you could argue Hob was the real bad guy. Irvin Kershner’s directing was on point and it is amazing at how well the film has aged yet it only had a budget of $35 million. I highly doubt some of the CGI-fests currently out will look this good 23 years from now.
I forgot he also had his own live-action TV show I guess they were trying to cash in on the Robocop craze before it ran out like the TMNT.
I saw the ending on YouTube and when Robocop 1 and 2 are fighting each especially when Robocop jumps on Robocop 2’s back the stop motion animation looks like action figures or something out of Robot Chicken 🙂 plus the obvious green screen when they are about to fall from the building and crash onto the street below.
I had one major issue with the review, and that was the part about how nobody gave Spider-Man 2 flack for the constant unmasking – that drove me bananas when I saw it in theaters! To this day, I will list that as one of the three major flaws of the Raimi Spider-Man movies…
That aside, great review – nice to see you talk about the comics and even bring up the storyline “The Dead Man” where we see the burnt scarred remains of Dredd’s face. (Though I would argue that it doesn’t really count as seeing his face…) I am curious to hear what you thought of the newer Dredd film, I loved it myself.
Well, I was talking in general. Of all the things I’d seen about the movie no one ever seemed to have issue with him talking off his mask. It drove me nuts as well.
LOVED the new Dredd. Bought the Bluray and seen it 3 times now.
I remember when this was being advertised many comic fans were excited.
I thought, and still think, it’s great and very fun. And the set design is the best “Blade Runner”-inspired ones I’ve seen yet.
The complaints about the helmet remind me of the complaints about the lack of the skull t-shirt in Dolph Lungren’s Punisher (1989). understandable but sort of petty.
The funny thing was I confronted a few people who were pissed about him taking off the helmet and asked them what their favorite issue of 2000 AD was. They naturally had no idea what I was talking about. Huge fans of Dredd indeed. Like most, they were just riding the bandwagon and being angry for the sake of having something to bitch about.
The movie is not perfect but it is a hell of a good time. Although the recent Dredd is fucking awesome.
follow:
If there’s one thing I could change about this review, I would add an “Asspen” reference. If you don’t have an Asspen reference, you’re gonna have a bad time… 😉
Also, you could have said that Rob Schneider’s performance was NOT 24-carat comedy!
🙂
Pizza…French Fries…
That’s why I married you. 🙂 (in case anyone is wondering, that’s my wife)
I was thinking of putting in an Asspen joke but I just couldn’t figure out one to put in. I’m sure I’ll put in an Asspen gag when I do Aspen Extreme or Extreme Ops. 🙂
You do realize I’m now going to torture you with the “Rob Schneider is…” voice?
Piiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiizzaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!
I look forward to the inclusion of “Asspen” clips in future episodes. As for being tortured with the “Rob Schneider is…” voice, that’s nothing new 🙂
rated PG-13
I actually took a break from Borderlands 2 to watch this review. Good stuff. I really like how much behind-the-scenes stuff you add.
I think the backlash against the movie has to do with Max von Sydow not being revealed as the bad guy. That’s practically unheard of, and audiences can’t cope with such unmainstream ideas.
I take that as a high compliment considering how all I’ve seen on Steam and Xbox is how everyone is parked in front of their machines playing Borderlands 2. I’d like to play the game but I just don’t have the time. If I got it any and all work would cease, much like what happened when the first one came out. I think I’ll hold off until Christmas time.
I had a ton of behind the scenes stuff but I cut a good bit of it when it was getting long winded.
Max Von Sydow…a hero? Surely you jest. He somehow was the real mastermind behind this whole thing. lol
Good review.
I didn’t know that they were trying to make a Dredd film since the 80’s.
I wonder what was the thinking behind making Tank Girl, another British comic into a film in the same year?
The Stallone version has gotten a lot more heat now because the new film is coming out which apparently is not doing to well in North America as it is one of the year’s biggest flops despite getting some good reviews.
Sci-Fier Reboot Dredd Makes Abysmal Debut in North America: One of Year’s Biggest Bombs
22 September 2012 3:32 PM, PDT | Alt Film Guide | See recent Alt Film Guide news »
Dredd 3D box office: One of 2012’s major domestic bombs Dredd 3D, the much-anticipated (in some quarters) action sci-fier, opened at no. 5 on the North American box-office chart, with a dismal $2.23 million on Friday according to studio estimates found at the web site Box Office Mojo. Directed by Peter Travis and starring Karl Urban in the title role, Dredd will probably bring in around $6 million to 6.5 million for the weekend — despite 3D surcharges. (Above photo: Urban as the film’s title character.) That would be a downright abysmal opening — worse than the already dreadful $8 million to $10 million that pundits had predicted — for the much-talked about reboot of the Sylvester Stallone movie Judge Dredd, which debuted with a already-not-that-impressive $12.29 million ($22.6 million adjusted for inflation) back in 1995. A Lionsgate release, Dredd has a reported $45 million to 50 million budget.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0113492/news#ni36895224
Thanks!
Tank Girl is an oddity. Originally they had the much a much prettier but less wacky lead Emily Lloyd to play Tank Girl. She bailed and the production decided to just make things up as they went along. The director didn’t film some key scenes, which is why they had to go back and animate so much. In the end it gave it a distinct look almost in spite of itself. Its almost as if they got the license and then didn’t know what to do with it.
Such a shame the new Dredd is doing so poorly. It figures, a movie that is getting massive praise is being beaten by typical hollywood garbage.
Great review, and thanks for the smack to people who freaked out over his helmet coming off.
I didn’t have a problem with Rob Schneider in this. While he’s only good in very small doses (and I’ll admit to shamefully loving The Copy Machine Guy), I think he worked okay here. Sure, comic relief wasn’t necessary, but the wasn’t crazy, over-the-top Rob Schneider like he is in Adam Sandler’s movies or (shudder) his own movies. And I still giggle at the scene when he figures out who Dredd is, “Oh, Mr. I Am The Law…”
I’m looking forward to the reboot too, and I love Karl Urban, but something seems wrong about his helmet. It just seems a little too big. Like it’s too wide or something.
Thanks! I can’t believe people are still on about the helmet. Did they not see how close the uniform was to the real thing?! Sometimes when making movies you have to pick your battles. If the helmet would have stayed off maybe the producers would have pushed to have the outfit look less like the comic.
I know Rob Schneider is a punching bag of sorts but I do enjoy his stuff. Seriously, Big Stan had me laughing my balls off. The “I am the law” line was ad libbed and Stallone liked it so much they kept it in.
I’m cool with Urban’s helmet…wait…that sounds off. I’m cool with the new Dredd style helmet Urban wears in the new movie. It looks closer to the helmet from some of the later books.
“I just needed to look into your eyes…”
I can’t hear that line without thinking that he knows you’re Batman. haha.
What I don’t get is why computers in the future have translucent monitors. Whats the point in being able to see what is behind your screen? That seems like it would be the information harder to read. Then again computers in movies, only use large, easy to read text in the shortest possible sentences.
Much like Masters of the Universe, adaptations of any comic, cartoon or video game properties were not as common in the 80s and 90s as they are today, so I’m learning to take movies like this with a little more salt. Though I think I would like to find some of the original comics before watching either Dredd film.
LOL great point. In the future no one can play minesweeper while they are at work because everyone can see through their screen.
Comic book movies were the bastard children of the 80s and 90s. A few of them were made and some were hits (Superman, Batman) but most of them were treated poorly by giving them a tiny budget and no support. (marketing, etc) It only took them until the 2000s with Spider-man, The X-men, and so on before they realized they were shitting on a gold mine.
The books are out there, I recommend checking them out they are good reads.
Love the review.. but it is hard to hear the movie.
Odd…I know the vocal audio from the movie was being pushed through the left channel for some reason but it still should have been good to hear. I always test them with headphones and without before launch.
Glad you were still able to enjoy it though.
Hi Cecil
I am happy someone else like this movie. I love it. When I first rented it, I watched it like twice. Now I own it. I always found the costumes and environment to look pretty awesome. I knew there was a comic of it that’s it . So when he took his helmet off I didn’t see the big deal. Lately with the new Judge Dredd movie coming out. This movie been getting a lot of crap of late . It’s not that bad so I don’t understand all the angry towards it. Anyhoo that’s my 5 cents. Great job always my friend. I usually wait and see your stuff on youtube. However I figured I will simply go to the source. Take care.
Thanks 🙂
Some movies I get why people don’t like but this one has an almost irrational hatred. The set designs alone make it worth watching. Oh well, no pleasing some people.
I just wish the Bluray had the director’s cut.
loved your review. I also loved how you included all that info on the movie wanted to get made since the 80’s. keep up the good work, and the new judge dredd looks awesome.
Thanks! I just wanted to show that this wasn’t some quick attempt at a cash in. They worked long and hard to try and make this happen. While I would like to see how it would have turned out without the studio and Stallone meddling (the rumored director’s cut) I think the current result it still a good movie.
New Dredd does look fantastic.
As usual Cecil, you deliver another outstanding review. 20 minutes of pure bliss. I also love all the information you give us about the movie before, during and after production. Keep up the good work!!!
P.S. – Did I notice a few new movies in the opening??? Don’t remember seeing the classic “Catwoman” on there before????
Why thank you! I really dug deep on this one to get as much info as I could. 🙂
Good eye! There is actually a pretty good mix of movies I’ve covered as well as ones I plan on covering.
Well I guess in the remake to Robocop they are focusing more on the Judge Dredd influence as his main form of transport is a motorcycle. I don’t know if that is just coincidence or not.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HdhUIC5EWl8&list=WL43A4D9735DD17A63
I don’t know if it is just pictures on set without his make up/SFX added but when he doesn’t have his helmet on he just looks like a guy in a suit as opposed to a cyborg unlike the original Robocop.
http://www.actionmoviefreak.com/Robocop-no-helmet.jpg
Actually I didn’t know they started a viral marketing campaign back in October.
http://omnicorp.com/
I am fairly optimistic about the remake as long as it is not PG-13 as everything associated with Robocop after the 1st film has been crap with 2 bad sequels and a cartoon series except when he appeared on WCW wrestling that was awesome. 🙂
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EuAKfG9JOns
Robocop is just one of those holy grail franchises that should be left alone. A reboot can’t possibly top the original. I’m curious to see it but I’m not holding my breath expecting it to be good. I would just rather they take all this work and talent and do something new.
Oh and Robocop 2 kicks ass. 3 was a mess but the producers ruined that one.
I guess I would have to watch Robocop 2 again as the last time I saw it was when it came out on VHS.
Can’t remember much about the film and no one ever talks about the sequels so it didn’t have any lasting impressions like the first film although I was not expecting it to.
2 is the extremities of the first one taken to the Nth degree. The kind of spoofed themselves at times and for me, it totally worked. It was definitely more tongue in cheek than the first and I think that upset some people. They couldn’t wrap their brain around the comedy, mixed with horrific violence and the injection of social commentary. They went a little deeper into the corruption of the city and the lengths those in charge would go to to keep their grip. Cain was a great villain, although you could argue Hob was the real bad guy. Irvin Kershner’s directing was on point and it is amazing at how well the film has aged yet it only had a budget of $35 million. I highly doubt some of the CGI-fests currently out will look this good 23 years from now.
In short, watch it again. 🙂
I forgot he also had his own live-action TV show I guess they were trying to cash in on the Robocop craze before it ran out like the TMNT.
I saw the ending on YouTube and when Robocop 1 and 2 are fighting each especially when Robocop jumps on Robocop 2’s back the stop motion animation looks like action figures or something out of Robot Chicken 🙂 plus the obvious green screen when they are about to fall from the building and crash onto the street below.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bHuhSsVcnp4
I had one major issue with the review, and that was the part about how nobody gave Spider-Man 2 flack for the constant unmasking – that drove me bananas when I saw it in theaters! To this day, I will list that as one of the three major flaws of the Raimi Spider-Man movies…
That aside, great review – nice to see you talk about the comics and even bring up the storyline “The Dead Man” where we see the burnt scarred remains of Dredd’s face. (Though I would argue that it doesn’t really count as seeing his face…) I am curious to hear what you thought of the newer Dredd film, I loved it myself.
Well, I was talking in general. Of all the things I’d seen about the movie no one ever seemed to have issue with him talking off his mask. It drove me nuts as well.
LOVED the new Dredd. Bought the Bluray and seen it 3 times now.
new to your site and i’m adding you to Favorite Sites, you’re informative AND your jokes either resulted in a grin, a chuckle or a lol 🙂
WrecklessEating of Youtube Sent me 🙂
Awesome thanks!
Ah the WrecklessEating guys, a good bunch they are. (although slightly crazy…my god the things they ingest!)
Thank you for the fair review.
I remember when this was being advertised many comic fans were excited.
I thought, and still think, it’s great and very fun. And the set design is the best “Blade Runner”-inspired ones I’ve seen yet.
The complaints about the helmet remind me of the complaints about the lack of the skull t-shirt in Dolph Lungren’s Punisher (1989). understandable but sort of petty.
Thanks!
The funny thing was I confronted a few people who were pissed about him taking off the helmet and asked them what their favorite issue of 2000 AD was. They naturally had no idea what I was talking about. Huge fans of Dredd indeed. Like most, they were just riding the bandwagon and being angry for the sake of having something to bitch about.
The movie is not perfect but it is a hell of a good time. Although the recent Dredd is fucking awesome.
THIS IS SOO MUTS BETTER THAN DREDD 3D