It says a lot about the current state of filmmaking when a low-budget fan film more accurately reflects its source material than a big budget Hollywood movie.
Judge Minty (which I was reminded of today by Steve Blease of Bleaseworld) is the fan film in question, and is getting a limited, not-for-profit, festival release this month.
Check out this cool, work-in-progress trailer and it's spot-on representation of Mega-City One then remind yourself of the efforts by the team behind the blink-and-you'll-miss-it cinematic release, Dredd, from earlier this year.
Judge Minty:
Dredd:
I know this is a dead horse I've flogged before, but the recent bland trailer for World War Z has really got my hackles up about filmmakers not respecting their source material.
And, yes, I know this is not a nothing new (Robert E Howard fans have long had to endure Hollywood's desire to "improve" Howard's works), but, really, isn't it about time that someone started to take notice?
Now THAT's more like it! Check out that Lawmaster. Hot stuff. I hadn't realised this was in the works, so thanks for the heads-up.
ReplyDeleteBut Dredd was a *brilliant* film, and everyone I know that saw it, loved it. Are the sets, props, etc., as outlandish as the comic? No, but that's at least an artistic choice the film took, and I agreed with that 100%. Stripping out the more sci fi fantastical elements and keeping a small scale story worked in its favour.
ReplyDeleteOne of my fellow gaming society members is a huge 2000AD fan, and has been raving about Minty for months now. He said he really enjoyed the Dredd movie, but not as a true adaptation of the comic books. A lot of people came to its defense saying that the outlandish elements won't work in a modern movie, but I think Minty has pretty much shut them up.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I have yet to see Dredd - I'm waiting for the DVD release in January - my main complaint from the trailer was the simple fact that they failed to make Mega City One look like Mega City One.
ReplyDeleteEven the Stallone take on Judge Dredd got that basic piece of landscaping right.
Sure, the interiors, costumes, props etc of Dredd look very good - but it looks like it's all taking place in any large, modern city with the odd tower block here and there.