Sunday 9 September 2012

Film: Dredd


Karl Urban attempts to do what Sly Stallone couldn’t, successfully adapt the famous comic book character Judge Dredd to film.

This is a much darker effort than Stallone’s 1995 version. Urban’s Dredd is faced with making his way up 200 levels of a tower block ruled by the ruthless drug-dealer Ma Ma (Lena Headey) while also assessing rookie Judge Anderson.

Having recently seen the Indonesian film The Raid, this struck me as very similar, the big difference being gun battles instead of martial arts in the action scenes.

Urban is competent as the tough-talking Dredd and he even remains true to the character by never removing the helmet. An almost unrecognisable Lena Headey (300) is brilliant as the despicable Ma Ma and Olivia Thirlby is fine support for the main character as the psychic Judge Anderson.

This is ultra-violent and will appeal to fans of hardcore action movies. Dredd’s commands to citizens also reminded me of Robocop, another film which is about to be re-made.

Dredd is in UK cinemas now.

Ric’s Rating: Highly Recommended.      

7 comments:

  1. Not fair! We have to wait until this Friday. Looking forward to it.

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  2. Ricky, is it really that good? I thought it would be nothing more than 'cheesy fun', but it seems it kind of great. :) Can't wait to see it.

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  3. Can't wait to see this!

    It is going to be great. We have to wait for September 21st in the US. This is the real Judge Dredd.

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  4. It is George, I'm sure all you guys will like it.

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  5. I'm afraid to watch it since it's overly violent, but you know I'm Karl Urban's biggest fan in the world and his biggest online supporter since forever :)
    I have faith in Joel Kinnaman as ROBOCOP too

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  6. I loved this film. I couldn't agree more with your recommendation. Nice one Ricky!

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Let me know what you think. I value all comments and fully intend to reply.