This action-filled sci-fi spectacle is set in a grim, futuristic world in which authoritarianism is the only way left to ensure democracy. The tale, based on a popular British comic book character, is set in the 22nd century after most of the Earth has become an uninhabitable desert wasteland. In North America, all of the people live in one of three giant cities. These cities are overpopulated and teetering on the brink of anarchy. Trying to maintain some semblance of order are the judges, lawmen riding air bikes, who mete out swift, and frequently fatal justice. The premiere judge of seething Mega-City, built atop the ruins of New York, is Dredd. His daily crime-busting routine is upset one day when the nefarious Rico breaks out of the high-security Aspen Penal Colony and returns to get revenge on the one who ratted on him; he also wants to make Mega-City an even more violent place. Upon his arrival, Rico immediately begins working to frame Dredd. He succeeds and the judge is imprisoned. Fortunately, the hero escapes and a spectacular and exciting battle between the judge and the evil Rico ensues.