Dredd 3D was a violence filled reboot that left us wanting more. If we're lucky enough to get a sequel, here's what it needs to include.
Dredd 3D is a fine example of a reboot done well. For the most part, new and old fans fell in love with the fresh take on the iconic character as we dove into his depressing and violent world. Unfortunately, it turns out that a rather lackluster amount people went to see the film opening weekend. Debuting in 6th place and raking in only 6 million dollars in the US, the cinematic future of The Dead Man is uncertain.
But don't fret, there's still some hope for a sequel! There's a shot we'll see more of Mega-City One if word of mouth boosts national sales, international audiences give it more support and if blu-ray/DVD sales excel. If we do get another installment of this new franchise, here's a few things I'd love to see in the follow-up.
Beware, there's spoilers for Dredd 3D below. Proceed with caution.
Dig deeper into Dredd
What are you doing during your downtime, Dredd? Karl Urban absolutely rocked the role. His portrayal of Dredd was simply stellar as he confidently plowed through Peach Trees and muttered one-liners that made us grin from ear to ear. Dredd 3D made it abundantly clear that this Judge wouldn't let sympathy get in the way of delivering the law. He plays it by the books and appears to have no remorse in his actions. But there's more to the man than a recognizable helmet and permanent frown.
As rookie Judge Anderson pointed out, there's something deeper with the character, but we never truly had another opportunity to explore what's going on in Dredd's mind. He is intentionally kept at an emotional distance from the viewer and it's pulled off well. Anderson is our emotional connection as we observe the anti-hero's almost robotic ways. However, given a sequel, I'd love to see the film dive into his brain. What is it about him that makes him so committed to the law? Does he have any internal gripes with the system? There's a lot about this movie version of Dredd that we have yet to see.
More Slo-Mo
Please, sir, I want some more! Drugs are bad. Don't do them. But when it comes to Slo-Mo, I hope bad guys are addicted to the drug in the next movie. Not only was the use of slow motion used in a superbly trippy manner at times, but it was also a factor in a jaw-dropping shootout. Seeing a bullet rip through a man's cheek or a stomach ripple from a shock wave in slow motion is very vivid. It needs to be used wisely, though. Too much will take away its appeal and render less powerful scenes tiresome. Hopefully, it will be limited to shocking action sequences and sensational visual delights.
More of Mega-City One
Be our tour guide, Dredd. Dredd 3D only scratched the surface of Mega-City One. We were given assorted tidbits of how bleak the sprawling city is. The crime statistics were staggering, and if my memory is correct, Dredd said they can only address a trivial 6% of crimes reported in the urban environment. The drones provided a map with red dots representing crime and the chart was infected with red.
Trapped within the confines of this city, it seems as though a large percentage of humanity has reached a low point as a fascist power takes charge. There's clear-cut villains like Ma-Ma who have become terrible people and easily labelled, but this harsh environment has surely created more complex matters. For example, "villains" fighting for more freedom from the Justice Department.
An adversary to challenge Dredd physically
Best Slo-Mo death ever. Ma-Ma was a solid antagonist for the first movie. She's a detailed look at what Mega-City One's brutal lifestyle can produce. At the end of the day though, Ma-Ma isn't a physical threat to Dredd and required a back-up plan when the two came face-to-face. You see, I'm a sucker for a good fight, and I think it's fair to believe many of you are as well. So next time around when Dredd confronts the main villain, I'd appreciate nothing more than a good old-fashioned brawl and/or shootout. A dose of Slo-Mo to top off the killing shot would be an excellent addition again, too.
But enough about what I'd like to see... what about you?
Gregg Katzman is a freelance writer for Comic Vine and IGN Entertainment. He never betrayed the lawwww.
