
A character like Judge Dredd, like Jonah Hex and the Punisher, are characters that don't have a lot of depth; they just kill and blow stuff up! So why has it been so hard to make a great film based on these characters? Because filmmakers try to make more out of nothing and it just can't be done.
'Dredd' is not only a great film, but it is a movie lifelong Judge Dredd fans can be proud of. From the story, the sets and the costumes, this version is '2000 AD' brought to life.
The story follows a drug war breaking out in a high rise apartment (a block) in Mega City and Judge Dredd and his trainee Judge Anderson are called to the scene. What happens for the next hour or so is a claustrophobic battle where the duo take on hundreds of baddies looking to take out the Judges.
In the role of Dredd is Karl Urban who not only looks the part, but carries himself with the strength, drive cockiness of the character. As far as dialogue, less is more. Playing the psychic Judge Anderson is Olivia Thurlby who is stunning and carries herself quite well in every scene she is in. In the role of the main baddie Ma Ma is Lena Headey who gets better the more desperate she becomes.
'Dredd' has so much going for it! Directed by Pete Travis, the film looked beautiful (dark, dirty and incredible moody) and moved at breakneck speed except for the slow mo scenes showing the effects of someone on the drug 'Slo-Mo'. The story by Alex Garland introduced the characters and setting without slowing down the film. The story may have been simple, but it really worked! The industrial music score by Paul Leonard-Morgan adds another enjoyable level to the film.
'Dredd' will make you forget about the Sylvester Stallone version for a few years back....thank God! This film captured everything we love about the comic and the character. If only we could get this team to make a Jonah Hex film.
Matman Rating - 5 out of 5 lawgivers