Judge Dredd Plot Summary
In the 1995 sci-fi film Judge Dredd, Sylvester Stallone portrays the titular character in a futuristic setting of 2039, where law enforcement operates uniquely in Mega City. Here, judges serve as both police officers and judges. Upon catching a criminal, a judge conducts an immediate trial and delivers the verdict on the spot.
The story follows Judge Dredd, a strict and principled judge played by Stallone. He takes pride in his work, ensuring justice is served efficiently every day. However, his life takes a drastic turn when he is falsely accused of murder amid a series of assassinations targeting judges across the city.
What is happening in the Mega City?
The movie begins with Fergie, a man who has just completed his jail sentence and is now returning to the mega city. The film is set in the year 2039 when people use flying cars and bikes to commute. When the shuttle drops Fergie off at his quarters, he discovers that gangsters have taken over his apartment at the Heavenly Havens.
Reluctantly, he becomes involved in a riot and ends up being held hostage by the gangsters. The gangsters in Fergie’s apartment start shooting at the opposite block, which attracts the attention of the authorities.
Two judges, Hershey and Brisco, arrive at the scene and realize they need backup. That’s when Judge Dredd shows up and saves the day. However, during the operation, Brisco, a rookie judge, is shot, and Fergie is arrested again, this time for hacking an Android.
Later that night, the board of Judges held a meeting to address the rising crime rates in the city. While most Judges suggest stricter laws, Judge Farol, the head of the council, suggests that this is happening due to a lack of resources.
He insists on using non-violent methods for crime control and providing for the people. While all of this is taking place, a prisoner named Rico escapes after killing the Warden of the Aspen Penal Colony,
What is Project Janus?
In his final moments, Judge Fargo reveals that the Council of Judges had created Dredd and Rico. He explains that four decades ago, DNA from the original council was taken and enhanced to create Project Janus. The aim of this project was to create perfect judges to represent them.
However, the project went awry, and Rico somehow ended up becoming a perfect criminal, devoid of any principles of morals.
If you haven’t figured it out yet, Griffin plans to use Rico to kill all those who are a threat to his mission of becoming the Chief Justice. During the council, Griffin also suggests activating Project Janus so the clones can immediately assume their roles.
How does Judge Dredd save the city?
Dredd and Fergie enter the city, while Griffin convinces all the council judges to activate Project Janus, which requires their voices and fingerprints. After the project is in effect, Griffin instructs Rico to shoot everyone on the council who doesn’t agree with him. Dredd enters the room, and Griffin frames him for the murders of the judges.
Dredd manages to escape and heads to Hershey’s place to ask for help. Initially skeptical, Hershey agrees to work with Dredd after he explains everything to her. Meanwhile, at the lab, Rico begins to create new clones of himself. Griffin disapproves of Rico’s plan, but before he can do anything, he is shot and killed.
Dredd, Hershey, and Fergie enter the lab again to put an end to Rico’s plan. Rico offers Dredd a chance to become partners, but the latter refuses, leading to a brutal fight that results in Rico’s death. Once the city is saved, all the judges propose to appoint Judge Dredd as Chief Justice, but he humbly declines.
The movie concludes with Judge Dredd riding off into the city on his motorcycle, ready to continue serving the city as the street judge.