Creamtrumpet
"Judgement on Dredd"
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Rating:
+3
For many, the 1995 Sylvester Stallone movie was perhaps their first and only exposure to the character of Judge Dredd. Originally created by writer John Wagner and artist Carlos Ezquerra for British comic book 2000AD in 1977, Dredd had garnered a loyal cult following through the years, but the Stallone film brought the character to the attention of a much wider audience, particularly in America. While that movie had much to applaud from a technical and visual point of view, it was ultimately crippled by poor scripting and a lead actor who clearly didn't understand the character he was playing. Audience reception was tepid and longtime fans were left disappointed, fearing the film's failure would put pay to any further big screen outings for the character.As a long time fan of the comic book myself, I was itching to see the world of Judge Dredd brought to life once again. Now, 17 years on from the Stallone movie, we have Dredd.
In an irradiated future wasteland on the east coast of North America lies Mega City One; a sprawling, crime-ridden metropolis containing 800 million residents. The only order in the chaos are the Judges; a police force who possess the combined powers of judge, jury, and executioner. During a routine shift, Mega City One's most feared lawman, Judge Dredd (Karl Urban), is tasked by the Chief Judge with evaluating rookie Cassandra Anderson (Olivia Thirlby). When the pair investigate a reported homicide at "Peach Trees", one of the vast tower blocks in the city, they encounter Ma-Ma (Lena Headey), a ruthless drug lord who controls not only the block but also the supply of "Slo-Mo", a new drug which slows the user's perception of time to 1% of normal.
From the get go, it's clear that this new adaptation is much closer in spirit to the original comic book than the 1995 film was. Eschewing elaborate sets and special effects in favour of mood, character and visceral action, it's a far more satisfying and rounded film.
I sense the filmmakers were operating on a "keep it simple" ethos for Dredd. The set up is quick, the plot kept tight and fairly linear. A limited budget means everything is kept comparatively small scale, so many of the comic book's more outlandish and futuristic trappings are left out. However, the budgetary constraints actually aid the film rather than hinder it, I think. A larger world is suggested and teased (which I hope they will get to explore in sequels), but the focus is kept on the story. This is a much grittier, visceral, more grounded take on Dredd. Even the costume, which was criticised by some short-sighted fans as being too far removed from the comic book version, is utilitarian and functional - more like the kind of thing a real motorcycle or riot cop would wear. Similarly, the Lawmaster motorcycles the Judges use look functional rather than overly futuristic or fantastical.
Writer Alex Garland's script is taught, lean and, like the comic book, shot through with a dose of black humour. Comic book and sci-fi elements aside, Dredd is essentially a straight forward action movie set primarily in a single location, much like Die Hard or Assault on Precinct 13. Indeed, the movie has a definite 1980s action movie vibe.
Interestingly, I have read reviews that compare Dredd to the recent Indonesian film The Raid (2011). Though I've yet to see that movie, their plots do sound spookily similar, however it should be noted that Dredd's script was finished in 2008 and the movie was in production before The Raid was made.
Director Pete Travis (Vantage Point) does a solid job. Everything looks suitably grungy and the use of real sets and locations really helps to ground the film. Action sequences are refreshingly devoid of the machine gun editing and overly slick fight choreography seen in most modern genre movies, which adds to the old school action movie feel. Deep focus is used to extremely good effect, with many shots evoking the look of comic book panels. There are also some very nice uses of extreme slow motion whenever a character uses the "Slo-Mo" drug. Some surreal and striking imagery results from these sequences, but the effect is thankfully not overused. At this point, I should mention that I saw this film in 3D, though not by choice (the number of theaters in the UK showing Dredd in 2D is disappointingly small). While the technology is used to good effect in a few places (most notably the "Slo-Mo" sequences), I feel the movie would work just as well, if not better, in 2D.
I can't praise Karl Urban enough in this film. Clearly, he is a man who did his homework before taking on the role. Dredd is a tough character to play as he's essentially one-note and emotionless. Moreover, a gutsy and admirable decision by Urban and the filmmakers to keep Dredd's helmet on throughout the entire film and give him relatively little dialogue means that he often has to rely on sheer physicality and some exemplary chin work. Vocally, Urban gives Dredd a slight Clint Eastwood tone, which seems apt given that the character's creators were inspired by Dirty Harry.
Evidently, both Urban and the writers understand that what makes the character of Dredd so interesting is that he's essentially a fascist hero. He IS the law - faceless, unflinching, incorruptible. You both love and hate him. The 1995 movie missed this point entirely, so I was delighted to see that no attempt is made here to round off the character or give him an emotional arc.
Olivia Thirlby is impressive as Anderson. She provides the heart and emotional core for the film and makes a great counter point to Dredd. Lena Headey is equally impressive, clearly relishing her villainous role as Ma-Ma. She plays her with a suitably ruthless intensity and keeps the scenery chewing to a minimum. The supporting cast all deliver good performances. As a fan of the TV show The Wire, I was pleased to see Wood "Avon Barksdale" Harris get a sizable role as Ma-Ma's top henchman, Kay.
The score by Paul Leonard-Morgan is, for the most part, highly effective and at times quite inventive. Pulsating industrial and electronic beats drive the film's action sequences well. I feel the guitars could've been dialed down a little, though - with the thundering guitars on top of the explosive foley work, the movie is deafeningly loud at times. Adding to the overall 1980s action movie sensibility, some of the musical passages are evocative of early John Carpenter scores. For me, these moments are when the score is at its most impressive and effective.
A film that kept springing into my mind while watching Dredd is Robocop (1987). It's widely known that the filmmakers were heavily influenced by the Judge Dredd comic. Aside from the obvious story and character parallels, an early design for Robocop's helmet was extremely close to Dredd's iconic headgear. They even copied Dredd's penchant for calling criminals "Creep."
In a neat piece of cyclical influence, Dredd has some definite echoes of Paul Verhoeven's movie. For starters, the way Mega City One is depicted is very reminiscent of Robocop's Old Detroit. Then there's the violence. Dredd is one of the most extravagantly brutal action movies I've seen in some time - Verhoeven levels of gore are thrown at the screen. If those similarities weren't enough, at one point in the film, Dredd even utters the words "You have 10 seconds to comply."
One thing Robocop had, that I'd like to have seen more of in Dredd, is satire. It's such a huge part of the comic book and I felt they didn't push that angle enough in the movie. That really is the crux of Dredd's main problem: they just don't take it far enough. It all feels a bit safe. I sincerely hope this film makes enough money to green-light a sequel (or sequels) so the filmmakers get the chance to explore more of Dredd's world and introduce more aspects, ideas and characters from the comic books.
So, is this the Judge Dredd movie fans have been waiting for? Almost. It's an enjoyable, well made, faithful adaptation, but it doesn't quite reach it's potential. It's a damn good start though, and it certainly eclipses the 1995 version. Unashamedly brutal and visceral, Dredd is a solid, entertaining and occasionally impressive film that will please existing fans and should create a lot of new ones.
3.5 / 5
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TheJohn
September 29, 2012
I hope a sequel gets made, if not here then just overseas so that we can at least get a disc of it.
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JSMaresca
September 15, 2012
Lots of work on this review!
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woopak_the_thrill
September 13, 2012
When I saw the trailers for this, I immediately thought about "The Raid"--it looked to be a rip off from that story, but then again, there was a building in the comic that was actually where criminals were hiding out (not a tower as I can remember). My knowledge of Dredd is more on his first encounters with Batman. Great observations, I had a feeling that this movie was not to be taken seriously. As for the Stallone movie, it was alright--but it just screamed "Demolition Man" more than Judge Dredd. I liked your descriptions of the movie, I want off to see this next week! Lucky you got to see it early. Thanks for posting it in Movie Hype, I'll be sure to feature this advance review asap.
Creamtrumpet
September 13, 2012
Thanks, William! You're right, stories set in and around "blocks" have been a staple of the Dredd comic books since the character was invented. I think it's a case of unfortunate timing releasing this film so soon after The Raid. As I said in my review, I haven't seen that film, but I've heard that it's hard not to draw a comparison if you have. I'll look out for your review of Dredd. I hope you enjoy it. :)
woopak_the_thrill
September 25, 2012
well, I did enjoy it, I just saw it while I was on vacation. It wasn't spectacular but it sure was a fun watch. We have similar things to say about it being similar to "The Raid" in concept and design. (I also reviewed it but I think your review was more thorough).
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My first brush with the comic book character “Judge Dredd” was when he tangled with Batman in an inter-company one-shot “Judgment in Gotham”. Then on, I took a look at several stories that depicted the character such as “Return of Rico”, “Judge Death” and “Robot Wars”, but admittedly while charmed by its character as a futuristic “Dirty Harry” with a little mystery as to what his race was, I never really became a huge fan of … more
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I remember Stan Lee once saying that "Every comic is someone's first". Mine and where it was? I was a young boy sitting on my bed with my brother reading Judge Dredd #16 where Dredd has to find Fink Angel. It was such a weird story with a mutant and his pet rat running around the city, a flashback to Fink's childhood. For all I know this story is hated by fans or looked down on for being an older book when better ones were made. Years … more
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***1/2 out of **** Judge Dredd is a powerhouse comic book action hero. Defined by his "man of few words" attitude and surprisingly elaborate set of skills, he exists in a futuristic world populated by typically intriguing ideas and an ever-increasing crime rate that just cannot be remedied. In 1995, the character was brought to the screen for the first time via actor Sylvester Stallone; whom most die-hard fans felt played the part unconvincingly. With comic book movies, the … more
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Star Rating: One of the biggest complaints fans had with 1995’s Judge Dredd was that the title character, played by Sylvester Stallone, wasn’t wearing his helmet for much of the film. This went against what was established in the original comic strip by John Wagner and Carlos Ezquerra; you saw nothing more than his nose and mouth. I haven’t so much as glanced at a single panel of the strip. I have, however, seen Dredd 3D, a remake of sorts. … more
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So much of DREDD unfolds like his law enforcement exploits from the trades. Mark my words: as comic book adaptations go, you’re not likely to see anything this faithful in your lifetime. (For the record, you’re reading the thoughts of a tremendous comic book fan – started reading them in the early 1970’s, in fact – as well as a connoisseur of most comic-inspired films. If nothing else, I’d like to think I know what I’m … more
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Judge. Jury. Executioner. Way better than the Stallone version. Karl Urban takes up the mantle of one of the biggest British-produced comic characters, and nails it. I cannot comment on the similarities this film supposedly have to The Raid: Redemption as I have not seen that film, but I can say this is one of the most satisfying (and gory!) action films of the year. the minimal use of CGI (if there was CGI used, it wasn't upfront and was integrated very well) aids the gritty … more
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The comic hero/facist of the future takes on a new rookie and must escape a high rise tenement where a drug lordess and her gangs declare war on the two of them. Taut and high action without the camp and cheese of the Stallone film, but doesn't touch on as much of the life and politics that the city faces as I had hoped.
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About the reviewer
Simon Lee Tranter (Creamtrumpet)
Ranked #47
Ranked #47
Member Since:
May 8, 2009
Last Login: May 5, 2013 03:41 PM UTC
Last Login: May 5, 2013 03:41 PM UTC
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About this movie
Director:
Pete Travis
Genre:
Action
Release Date:
September 21 2012
MPAA Rating:
PG-13
Screen Writer:
Alex Garland,
Carlos Ezquerra
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