Fans react to new Dredd trailer (+video)

Fans have reacted to the first full-length trailer for Dredd, the new sci-fi action film starring Kiwi actor Karl Urban as law enforcement official Judge Dredd.

Early reaction was critical, with some suggesting the tone of the trailer, the music and Dredd's helmet design, were off.

But commentators on nzherald.co.nz praised the trailer - a stylish and action-packed two minutes that features plenty of futuristic action, gun fights and slow-motion explosions - for bringing a "dark and gritty" vibe to the character.

Another said: "The tone portrayed in the film is down and dirty which fits in well. Two thumbs up and will actually pay to see this at the multiplex. Cant wait."

And 50 per cent of respondants to a poll asking them to rate the trailer said "it rocked".

Dredd stars Kiwi actor Karl Urban in a reboot of the law enforcement comic book character that misfired with a critically panned 1995 film starring Sylvester Stallone.

In the new film, Judge Dredd (Urban) joins forces with rookie cop Cassandra (Olivia Thirlby) to battle drug kingpin Ma-Ma (Lena Headey) and take out her "vertical slum" - a military fortress 200 stories high.

The trailer debuted today, and many pointed out the plot appeared to be similar to this year's cult action film The Raid, or the first Die Hard. Dredd was shot before The Raid, but the release date was delayed until October.

"People, there's already been one really great Judge Dredd movie; it's called Robocop," said Ben Towle on Twitter.

But Warren Frey said a Die Hard or The Raid film starring Dredd "wasn't necessarily a bad idea".

On nzherald.co.nz, one commentator said: "Aww Yeah, this looks more like Dredd! (that is more than the glossy Stallone version). I read the comics as a kid, and an adult; this 'feels' gritty, Urban gets the voice and attitude right, it has a grubby aesthetic that looks right, the atmosphere is edgy. Thumbs up!"

Others complained about the trailer's music (a dubstep remix of La Roux's In For the Kill), tone and Dredd's helmet.

"The most important thing in a Judge Dredd movie is his helmet. And they've screwed it up again," said one YouTube user.

"Clinical, generic and Dredd invokes no dread. Next," said another.

Urban told MTV Dredd would avoid the criticisms of the first film and stay true to the comics it was based on.

"I can say that the producers of this film are going to make a very gritty, hardcore, faithful adaptation of the comic," he said.

"I've been reading Dredd in one form or another for 25 years, so to be given the opportunity to portray such an enigmatic, iconic comic book character is one that I'm absolutely elated about."

Dredd is due out on October 4.

* What do you think of the trailer? Post your comments below.