Dredd 2012 Review: A Gritty, Ballsy Take On The Judge

Dredd 2012 Details

Rating: tbc
UK Theatrical Release Date: Sep 7th 2012
Genre : Action/adventure, Science Fiction, Thriller, Comic Book, Superhero
Starring : Karl Urban, Lena Headey, Olivia Thirlby,

Director : Pete Travis
Screenwriter : Alex Garland

Dredd Synopsis: Dredd takes place in a vfuturistic and heavily violent city where the police have the power to act as judge, jury and executioner. One cop teams up with a trainee to bring to justice a gang that deals SLO-MO, a drug that causes the taker to perceive time as passing at 1% of its usual rate.

Dredd 2012 Review

Judge Dredd gets a 2012 remake, but does it do justice to 2000AD’s amazing character?

One thing’s for certain with Dredd in 2012: he’s packing punches, not afraid go all out and doesn’t mind a spot of ultra violence. This isn’t Sylvester Stallone country, it’s a grim and gritty take on Judge Dredd that screenwriter Alex Garland serves us.

Bullets tear faces apart, brains burst open like a Pizza Pocket, Judge Dredd (Karl Urban) even flattens a guy’s windpipe with his fist. This is hardcore violence the way Dredd should be done. Anthony Dod Mantle—an amazing cinematographer from University of the Arts London—has even added a surrealist touch in moments, giving Dredd a grungy feel.

There is a noticeable problem with Karl Urban’s take on judge Dredd: he simply isn’t capable of creating the right personality, that brass balls bulldozer style that Stallone’s Dredd is remembered for. It’s not a bad performance. It just isn’t earth shattering either.

Overall

All in all, this is a visceral treat of a film done the way Dredd should be done. It’s not perfect, neither in acting nor in story or production, but what it is is daring, gritty and a faithful take on an amazing character. If you’re a fan of 2000AD’s Judge Dredd, you will love it.

Overall Score: ****

Dredd 2012 Trailer