Depending on the writer. Conceptually he's a satire of authoritarianism and is specifically a fuck you to perceived totalitarianism in 1980s Britain. But then you had a bunch of writers who really liked the character and made him a 'hero' of sorts. I'm reading the collected editions of the comics and it's funny seeing the back and forth in Dredd's personality and tone between individual comics.
That period in 2000ad history was pretty great. Pat Mills said in an interview that they were creating these characters who were commentaries on totalitarian, fascist thugs and the readers just loved seeing them kick the shit out of people and aliens - no matter what the reasoning (or lack of). The better writers started making Dredd more about the citizens of Megacity One rather than Dredd himself.
But this movie looks like it has some real curve-balls in it. The practical vehicles and sets are a very very odd mix of elements not represented in the comics. I hope they find their own balance with the material.
