Top critical review
3.0 out of 5 starsWorth a View to Action Film or Comic Fans
Reviewed in the United States on January 25, 2014
No snooze fest to say the least. High octane from the just east of the word go, this film attempts to take the comic out of the original comic and instead focus on tactical appearances, a few socially critical absurdities, and guns. Lots of guns.
Karl Urban (Red, Chronicles or Riddick, Riddick, Star Trek) doesn't quite give the Dredd of the comic book; adapting into a cold, robot like bad ass super cop: part Robocop, part Christian Bale Batman, part Stallone Dredd with some added nuisances. The performance does stand on its own at times, all though Dredd is less the focus of the movie and more the main protagonist.
Unlike many big budget action films, the performances are better than average; from top to bottom, the cast is an excellent mix of notable actors (such as Wood Harris, Remember the Titans and The Wire, and Lena Headey, 300) who provide stellar performances and well thought out characters creates stories and story lines that can't help but draw attention. However, being a bit too wrapped up in the genere, the film focuses more on their actions than exploring their depth.
The visual effects add to small glitches in costuming. The penultimate effects in the film, however, fall a bit flat, as they are played with through the film but, like the characters, not entirely explored. The lack of experimentation with the actual camera in filming also detracts a bit, not pushing the viewer far enough out their comfort zone to really enchant them with the effects. The scenery and lighting attempt to coincide with the modern-noir take of high contrast color schemes, however they lack a certain pop.
A true fan of Stallone's Dredd will be let down by this film. It is by no means a sequel, nor does it attempt to explore Dredd's origin as done in the nineties. A bit closer to the comics, the film lacks the grandeur placed in mega city one in Stallone (cheesy at may be). Dredd, reimagined, lacks the booming voice of authority, but does still way lay the scum of the city in mere moments. No flying bikes, no interjections of other 2000 AD comics, no Rob Schnider. The quirks are replaced in an attempt to be serious.
Not something most people will add to their collection, but worth a rent if a fan of the genre and (to some extent) the comic. Go in without expectations and you'll get a few of those pursed lipped head nods before the end credits.
![Dredd [3D Blu-ray/Blu-ray + Digital Copy + UltraViolet]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51yg50C+7GL._AC_US60_SCLZZZZZZZ__.jpg)
