Judge Dredd

Rating:
Summary: A Fun Film For Sci-Fi Action Lovers
Review: While Judge Dredd may not be a classic movie, it is a fun action sci fi movie ala Demolition Man an Total Recall.

Sylvester Stallone plays a great Judge Dredd and Diane Lane is a sexy as ever. This is a film about a comic book by the way, so take is a a fun film, not Ghandi or Lawrence of Arabia! It's so much better than a boring Batman flick that's for sure.

The DVD is perfect. It has the widescreen format. There virtually are no extras aside from the trailer.

I needed a sci fi action movie to showcase how DVD can look and sound to my friends and this one impressed them.

Rating:
Summary: Unexpected and kicks.
Review: Judge Dredd presents a believable and frightening vision of the future. Maybe we are already there but don't know it. The action is intense and first rate. The special effects and timing are state of the art. Stallone gives one of his best performances combining the toughness of Rambo and subtle humor of Oscar. This is really quite good science fiction and also a good adaptation and improvement on an obscure British comic book hero. From Batman to Superman the diehard comic book fans have never been happy at cinematic realizations of their heroes. This is no exception for them, but for the rest of us it is an improvement. After reading the reviews of the usual anti-sci-fi- critics, the actual experience was unexpected, and I was surprised that the movie really really kicks. It is too bad that the critics write reviews about Stallone and most action sci-fi movies before they have even seen them. You will be surprised. This movie is really good.

Rating:
Summary: For in those days Judges walked the land....
Review: The more I see this film after all the hype has died down, the more it grows on me. This is probably the best thing that Stallone ever did in my opinion. If you ever read the British comic book series you realize that he nailed the essence of the main character. I mean, Judge Dredd is a completely one-dimensional character, and Stallone still managed to bring him to life.

The entire movie, and the original comic book series, was based on the fact that the Judges were incorruptible. These are not just good lawmen; these are walking law books- THEY ARE THE LAW. They have to be, for they are not merely law enforcement officers, they are also judge, jury, and executioner. Only someone raised from birth to live the letter, essence, and spirit of the law could be trusted with this. Certainly, a mere human could not be trusted with such power. That is the fascination of a character like Dredd- he isn't human. Here is a man so completely identified with duty that there is no room for personal feelings. This is essential, for a Judge must be completely impartial and unswayed by personal opinion and feeling. A Judge judges the rich and powerful, and the poor and weak, by absolutely the same standard. That is why you can never write Dredd and the other Judges off as fascists- it is equal judgment for all in the name of the public good, of public survival, in an apocalyptic Cursed Earth. And God save the Judge that breaks his oath....

Max Von Sydow was also especially good as Dredd's mentor. I mean, if they could get an actor of his quality interested in this project then you know that he also saw something more to it. Playing off Stallone you actually see the one bit of humanity in the character. The scene where Sydow takes the last walk to bring judgment to the unjudged still chokes me up.

Sure, there is plenty of action and special effects here- good ones. They also managed stay fairly close to the details and characters of the original stories. But, I've slowly come to see that there really is more to it. Not bad for a project that originated from a comic book.

Rating:
Summary: "I am the Law!"
Review: The career of a Hollywood Star goes through various ups and downs. This excellent film came out at a point in Stallone's career when it was simply his turn to get reviewed harshly by the Hollywood community. He was getting older, his career had drifted considerably, and another Sly action picture was simply going to be a very hard sell. It took a much-underserved whipping when it was released.

As I say, that is a real shame, because Judge Dredd was one of the best comic book adaptations to ever make the cross into film. It perfectly captures the 70's/80's British comic book about a futuristic cop who reins supreme, given the power to arrest, judge, and execute wrongdoers in a world gone rampant with crime.

This was a big budget production, and the sets and special effects are magnificent. The story is extremely engaging, and it is packed with great action. The film really doesn't take a misstep throughout.

What makes the film a real treat are the supporting performances. Stallone himself delivers a perfect-pitch job as the Judge, nicely capturing all the stern dedication of the comic book, and as the film progresses, his character is beautifully and even touchingly rounded out. But I find myself remembering the lesser roles, such as Armand Assante as the arch villain, Rico, a man holding extreme power in his madness. When his temper flairs, everyone jumps back. The old veteran, Max Von Sydow, displays a pro's commitment in his portrayal of the aging Chief Justice Fargo, holding on to his power simply through a towering dignity. Diane Lane, Jurgen Prochnow, and Joan Chen are on hand to lend superior support, as well as Rob Schneider, who did a great job in giving the movie the touch of comedy needed to truly capture the original comic book. This film even has the great Scott Wilson on board as Pa Angel, a leader of a criminally mutated family that dwells in the "cursed earth."

Amazon reviews got it completely wrong. Their condescending review was typical of the kinder reviews given when the film was released. There is certainly no need to "lower your expectations" to enjoy this film.

You will do just fine if you come to this picture expecting great things.

--Mykal Banta

Rating:
Summary: Not amazing but definitely enjoyable for Dredd fans.
Review: First know that I grew up in the UK and Judge Dredd is my favorite comic series and has been for some time. The movie: Stallone seemed like a decent cast, after all Dredd was somewhat based on him originally apparently. Now, Stallone's acting ability has never troubled me much... if the movie is good than its not too distracting for me. Some people detest him but I'm not one of them. The story itself is based on a lot of bits and pieces from actual Judge Dredd strips and it stays fairly true to the past. The special effects are pretty good and the costumes and sets are mostly great. For me this movie was an absolute trip because of my background in Dredd... seeing a last walk, the block wars, the abc robot... awesome! I eventually bought the DVD too. Dredd fans will either love it (Because its Judge Dredd!) or hate it (Because its not Judge Dredd enough...) so rent it first. Like I said, I love it. True, it doesn't capture the entire feel of Judge Dredd, it leaves some things out and adds some things in but what did you expect? and yeah... he takes off his helmet... but overall I feel like Hollywood could have done much worse.

Rating:
Summary: A eye-popping sci-fi thriller all about a comic book hero!
Review: It happens to be quite a coincidence that I found some Judge Dredd comic books in Spanish at a high school library mere months before it turned out that Sly Stallone would be playing this stern-faced cop of the distant future. So my buddies and I all went to see it and boy, I was really blown away by the very intoxicating ride through the high, tangled skyscrapers of the futuristic New York City. Makes you feel like you're really there, flying wildly through all those miles-high towers brightly flashing with neon signs and obscene advertising. In fact, this is one of the most powerful highlights of this dazzling sci-fi flick and the special effects will truly explode right into your face as you hang on every fast-paced action as Judge Dredd grimly chases all the bad guys! However, on the other hand - there is a great deal of excessive violence, of course ... and yes, even some grossness like that orge-like "Mean Machine" who would GET MEAN every time the dial on his forehead is turned and there's this scene where a man's arm gets stabbed with four syringe needles, causing blood to gush right out all over the place! In addition, there are many fans out there who complain about the title character taking his helmet right off, thus disclosing his mysterious visage - but I don't really care. In fact, I think "Judge Dredd" is one of the coolest movies I have ever seen!

Rating:
Summary: I KNEW THEY'D SAY THAT...
Review: Too violent, too cartoonish, too unimaginative??? Shakespeare In Love this ain't. But a marvelously spectacular and wholly realized fantasy/SF world it most certain is: zappy, amusing, wonderfully imaginative, with equal amounts of humor and seriousness. If only it had been longer, less restricted by commercial concerns, it could have truly been a pop masterpiece. Try looking beyond the lead and one will discover an exceptionally rich production, obviously a labor of love by its underrated director. Awesome sets and panoramas; terrificly detailed - and often humorous - visual and audio effects - the ABC robot alone was worth the price of admission for me! And of course, above all, superb lighting/cinematopgraphy that puts many other "prestige" movies to shame. All are wonderfully displayed in this wide-screen version. And the acting? Not at all shabby. Just check out the scenes between von Sydow and Prochnow, or lovely Diane Lane and Stallone. Assante is over the top - right where he belongs here. Judge Dredd may be adolescent, escapist junk-food, but like the similarly much abused Lost In Space movie, it's junk-food on a lavish and impressive scale. DVD only does them both justice!

Rating:
Summary: A sleek, juicy slice of Ultraviolence, served piping hot!
Review: Who couldn't like this slick, sleek, happily depraved and utterly self-contented violent romp in the near future? It's got Sly Stallone in a fine, full-bodied role as the fascistic Judge Dredd---and hey, He's the Law! You got a problem with that? You got objections, Perp? He KNEW you'd say that! (sound of Perp being knocked unceremoniously in the head by Judge Dredd's side-arm).

Let me count the ways I love Judge Dredd:

1)It's all Action, all the time---and it Looks so Good! And best of all, it's action done by a competent, experienced crew: Adrian Biddle ("Aliens", "1492", "Thelma & Louise") for cinematography, and set design by Peter Young, who did the look for "Batman" and "Sleepy Hollow".

2)It's got Armand Assante and Jurgen Prochnow as crazed, Machiavellian evil villains (Assante crazed, Prochnow Machiavellian)!

3) It's got veteran uber-actor Max von Sydow as Chief Justice Fargo, and boy the guy looks hip and happening in a trenchcoat with a big super-duper hand cannon!

4) It's got a violent Mega-City where the angry inhabitants don't have backyard barbecues, they have block wars!

5) It's got an angry War Robot designed to control crowds---with extreme prejudice! Oh, it likes to pull peoples' heads off, too.

6) It's got angry unfinished Clones, all of whom are imperfect copies of Assante!

7) Aspen, Colorado is a penal colony! What a great world!

8) It's got starlet action! A villainous Joan Chen in tight leather hotpants! It's got the genetically perfect Diane Lane as the unfortunately named Judge Hershey (I don't know. Don't ask.)!

9) It's got a periodically amusing Rob Schneider and gratuitous Balthazar Getty! It's got a family of inbred religious cannibals who make the family in "Texas Chainsaw Massacre" look like pikers---and the razor-toothed Number 1 Son has what appears to be a minute-timer embedded in his skull!

10) Finally, it's just all around fun: the chase on Lawmasters through the neon heights and aeries of Mega City One has to be seen to be believed, and it is far more enjoyable than anything in the Star Wars prequels. And in addition, it's a pretty fine adaptation of the Judge Dredd graphic novel series.

So get past your need to see 'serious' cinema, sit back, and pop "Judge Dredd" on the hopper. Besides, He's the Law----and failure to appreciate the subtle glories of this film is a Violation, Citizen---Punishment? You don't want to know.

Rating:
Summary: Not as bad as it seems
Review: Based on the DC Comic; this film adaptation of Judge Dredd doesn't fully display the heart of the comic it is adapted from, but on it's own it's mindless fun with none other than Sylvester Stallone in the title role. Stallone is as stoic as ever for the first half of the film, and seems to have a lot of fun in his role, while Armand Assante chews the scenery as Dredd's nemesis Rico, while a pre-Unfaithful Diane Lane puts on a good show as well. It's completely mindless; but thanks to some nicely assembled action scenes, impressive special effects, and a great tightly knit cast (including Rob Schneider, Max Von Sydow, Jurgen Prochnow, Joan Chen, and Balthazar Getty), Judge Dredd is better than it is reputed to be; and with the recent wave of comic licensed films to hit theaters, I find it better than The Hulk.

Rating:
Summary: Make up your own pun about this dredd-ful movie...
Review: I have always known that Slyvester Stallone had limitations as an actor, but I have to admit I was rather surprised that he could not play Arnold Schwarzenegger. Listen to the dialogue when the title character in "Judge Dredd" shows up on the scene and I think it is pretty clear that lines like "I am the law" were written for Ah-nold to growl rather than Sly. I have no evidence to support such a conclusion, like we do for the part of the Wizard in 'The Wizard of Oz' being written for W.C. Fields, but I remain convinced that Schwarzenegger would have been better suited to carrying off the opening scene.

'Judge Dredd' is based on a British comic book of a dystopian future where police officers have become 'judges' who are judge, jury and executioner rolled into one. As such it was part of the British disposition towards predicting a fascist future found in works from George Orwell's classic novel '1984' to Alan Moore and David Lloyd comic book mini-series 'V for Vendetta.' For the most part the 'Judge Dredd' comics were highlighted by the distinctive artwork of Brian Bolland more than anything else.

The film presents a future that is so violent, with Megacities engaged in constant battles called Block Wars, that even the Judges, with their authority and power to summarily execute criminals, are considered to be unable to handling the problem. Judge Griffin (Jürgen Prochnow) wants to expand the authority of the Judges so that they can execute more criminals for lesser crimes and in a film like this you know such goals are not idle ideological discourse. There is a conspiracy at work and suddenly Dredd (Stalone) is arrested and convicted for a crime that he did not commit. The deed was perpetrated by Rico (Armand Assante), a former Judge who was sent to prison by Dredd. But, as with all such movie conspiracies, there is much more to the plot than Dredd knows, involving even his father figure, Chief Justice Fargo (Max won Sydow).

Judge Dredd has two decidedly different sidekicks in this film, Judge Hershey (Diane Lane), who tries to defend him in court, and career petty criminal Herman Ferguson (Rob Schneider), who ends up with him on the street trying to stay alive and figure out the conspiracy. They have relatively little to do in the film besides spout dialogue intended to provide exposition, comic relief, and chip away at Dredd's gruff exterior to eventually find a spark of humanity. It is a sad film that wastes the talents of both Diane Lane and Rob Schneider. 'Judge Dredd' works best during its action sequences, when the title character is too busy to speak, because sooner or later he utters the film's wretched punch line, 'I knew you'd say that,' and you have to roll your eyes and wait for the next action sequence to distract you.

In its defense, it should be pointed out that there is a lot of action in the film, which never lets up long enough for you to make the conscious effort to stop watching. The conspiracy is predictable enough that when characters sketch out the details in-between Dredd's rampages it is enough to connect the dots. Just do not try and figure out the film's ideological position on law and order issues in the real world.