Actually the Stalone version wasn't a whole lot like the comics that I grew up reading (had lots of friends from the UK). It disappointed me badly. Hollywood has a way of taking comedy and drama, from other cultures, and sucking the life right out of it. This time it sounds like they're doing it right. I wish that I could see it at TIFF, because it's premiering here. Let me break it down:
- a good, "B" grade actor for Dredd (Karl Urban, aka Vaako from Chronicles of Riddick)
- you don't see Dredd's face. Period. (You never did in the comic)
- bullets, 'spolsions, BLOCK WAR! (Need I say more?)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fEu1LsXrBeA
If you want an example of how Hollywood can kill a franchise that's successful elsewhere in the world, get hold of some episodes of a little UK SciFi comedy called "Red Dwarf." Then, if you have a strong stomach, find and watch the 2 (
TWO) pilots that they made for the US audience. Imagine Monty Python's "The Life of Brian" with Ben Affleck playing the part of Brian. That bad.
Your next homework assignment is to watch the following:
The Magnificent Seven (not too bad)- 1960
Battle Beyond the Stars (crap) - 1980
Seven Samurai - 1954
Last Man Standing (mindless shoot-em-up) - 1996
Yojimbo - 1961
The Outrage (gag) - 1964
Rashomon - 1950