Today's review is Dredd.
Directed by Pete Travis.
Written by Alex Garland.
Based on the comic book. Judge Dredd created by John Wagner & Carlos Ezquerra
Review #178
MPAA Rating: R for strong bloody violence, language, drug use and some sexual content.
Run Time: 95 min
Cast
Karl Urban ... Judge Dredd
Olivia Thirlby ... Anderson
Rakie Ayola ... Chief Judge
Lena Headey ... Ma-Ma
Warrick Grier ... Caleb
Wood Harris ... Kay
Back in 1995. Sylvester Stallone gave us all one of the worst comic book adaptions of all time. Judge Dredd was beyond Dredd-ful. There was so much wrong with the film that it sent a firestorm of hatred and venom towards Buena Vista and Hollywood Pictures. The fans were so pissed off and rightfully so that it's taken 17 years for another try at the property.
Well good things do come to those who wait because this film was a lot of fun to watch.
Plot
In a violent, futuristic city where the police have the authority to act as judge, jury and executioner, a cop teams with a trainee to take down a gang that deals the reality-altering drug, SLO-MO.
Before I get into this one. I feel the need to mention that I know absolutely nothing about the Judge Dredd universe with the exception of two things. He's a bad ass, emotionless judge and he never takes off his helmet. These were things that for the most part were completely ignored by the first attempt to adapt the popular comic. The only part that Stallone got right was the emotionless part but let's be real about it. When it comes to Stallone and action roles.
Emotionless is his specialty.
The biggest sin committed in the original film if there was a bigger one than actually making it at all was the fact that Dredd spends about 80-95% of the film without his helmet on. In fact most of the judges spend the film helmet less. This was an egregious error on the part of the brain trust that adapted this title. What makes the Dredd universe so popular is the fact that the judges are faceless agents of the law. It no pun intended shields them from the world they are forced to keep in order. It also served as an intimidation factor among the criminals they mean to stop. The original was a campy, lackluster attempt to bring us to that world.
This version is the exact opposite.
The first thing to note here is that Karl Urban owns this character. Not once is his helmet removed so you can't see his face. Just his mouth. His performance had to be carried through tone and delivery, and he nails it. In fact he was the exact opposite of Bane in The Dark Knight Rises. Tom Hardy had to convey his menace through ocular means. Here Urban has to give us an angry, strong, unsympathetic Dredd without every seeing it. It was a fine performance. You respected his authority while maintaining discipline in his presence. This was a quintessential portrayal of Judge Dredd. Urban immediately washes away the stink Stallone gave all of us way back when.
The rest of the cast is serviceable. No major highlights with possibly the exception of Olivia Thrilby as Anderson. Her character has an interesting back story and history that plays a very essential role in the story and for Dredd. As a Judge in training she spends the entire film without her helmet. Normally I would be killing that decision by the film makers. Especially after my rant about how Stallone didn't keep his on. However, her character required her to keep it off. It was such a simple explanation that would be considered hokey but I bought it.
A nice segue to the story.
Also simplistic at it's core but entertaining and well structured. Watching this film instantly reminded me of a film with a very similar concept. The Raid: Redemption. The main plot in Dredd is a carbon copy of what happens in The Raid. Aside from that. Both films deviate from the traditional exploits that the narrative supplies them. The action in Dredd is ultra violent and gratuitous in the bullet department. Necessary for a film of this genre but man did the guns go off in this one.
My only major complaint with this film is the 3D. Once again it was completely and utterly USELESS. The only thing 3D does is enhance the ticket price. Dredd had no scenes that gave you a reason to go 3D. It takes away from what was a pretty cool film. Just a complete waste of time. Im sad to say that 3D isn't going anywhere. As long as studios believe that people are dumb enough to go see a film in 3D then they'll keep making them.
Overall, Dredd was a solid film that represents the source material pretty well. This is mostly due to Garland's script and Urban's performance at the titular character. If they plan to franchise this. All parties involved are off to a good start.
On the 5 star scale. Dredd gets 3.5 stars. With a "Go See It!" recommendation.
That's a wrap for today. Up next is Hotel Transylvania.
Until Next Episode...."I'll Save You A Seat!"
"D"
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