‘Dredd’ Streaming Surprise: Alex Garland’s Secret Directorial Debut?

by

2012’s comic book-based movie “Dredd” has been a streaming success on Max, climbing its way up from the 8th spot to number 3 on the top 10 movies list as more viewers rediscover it or watch it for the first time. In this gritty film, Karl Urban plays the lead character, with the story unfolding in the chaotic and lawless Mega City One. The Judges, who double as judges, juries, and enforcers of justice, are the city’s police force, doling out harsh punishment to maintain order.

In the movie “Dredd”, starring Urban’s character Dredd and his psychic partner Cassandra, portrayed by Olivia Thirlby, venture into the perilous domain of drug lord Ma-Ma, played by Lena Headey. A power struggle unfolds, leaving the two Judges imprisoned within a high-rise apartment complex inhabited by ruthless criminals. Similar to the Indonesian action film “The Raid: Redemption”, “Dredd” intensifies the drama by confining its characters and delivering heart-pounding action sequences that keep viewers on the edge of their seats.

Prior to gaining recognition as a director with his debut film Ex Machina, produced by A24 in 2015, Alex Garland was more renowned for his screenwriting contributions, having penned movies such as Danny Boyle’s 28 Days Later. It’s worth noting that Garland’s involvement with the film Dredd extends beyond just his screenplay. In fact, apart from being credited as a writer for the movie, Garland also performed some unaccredited directing work on the film, sparking debates online about the extent of his contribution compared to Pete Travis, who is officially recognized as the director.

Is ‘Dredd’ Alex Garland’s Secret Directorial Debut?

As a movie enthusiast, I found the behind-the-scenes saga of “Dredd” equally captivating as the film itself. There were whispers and tales of creative clashes between Director Pete Travis and Lionsgate executives. It seemed that their disagreements over the director’s vision for the movie reached boiling point, resulting in Travis being replaced during post-production.

However, Alex Garland, ever tactful, never confirmed nor denied his directing role. Yet, Karl Urban, the film’s protagonist, openly expressed his view that “Dredd” should be recognized as Alex Garland’s directorial debut. In an interview with JoBlo, he made this statement.

A significant portion of ‘Dredd’s success can be attributed to Alex Garland, and it’s surprising how many don’t know that he was the one behind the camera. I hope when people look at Garland’s body of work, they remember that ‘Dredd’ was his initial film, coming before ‘Ex Machina.’

Apart from the challenges during filming and whispers about Alex Garland potentially directing it, the movie Dredd is worth revisiting due to its striking visual effects, particularly the “slo-mo” drug that significantly impacts the plot. Unlike many films that are retrofitted for 3D post-production, Dredd was filmed using 3D cameras throughout production. Additionally, high-speed photography was employed to depict the action and violence in a slow-motion manner, giving it the sensation of reading a comic book while effectively demonstrating the drug’s powers that are pivotal to the storyline.

In summary, “Dredd” stands out as an intriguing milestone in Alex Garland’s filmmaking journey. Having initially specialized in adaptations, Garland transitioned to creating unique films such as “Annihilation,” “Men,” and most recently, “Civil War” from last year. Despite plans for a sequel to “Dredd” not materializing, and with Garland expressing disinterest, this film is a gripping and intense Sci-Fi action movie that warrants the praise it’s earning on Max.

Read More

2025-02-05 16:31