Review of Dredd (2012) by Daniel G — 10 Nov 2013

I'll be honest, after re watching 1995's Judge Dredd, and realizing how cheesy it was, I was not too high on going to see its remake. Boy am I glad I caught this this film late one Saturday evening on cable.

First thing I noticed was how gritty and unforgiving the environment of the setting was. I already knew Mega City One was a futuristic dystopia metropolis, but Dredd's Mega City really felt like a believable corrupt, run down ghetto taken from modern influence.

Karl Urban shines as Judge Dredd, more of an everyday Judge in contrast to Stallone's superhero Judge rendition. Dredd is that sort of good cop who lives for his job, and does a hell of a job at it.

It's only fitting that Dredd is selected to to test the young Judge-in-training Cassandra Anderson. Olivia Thirlby steals the show as Anderson, whose character goes to hell and back alongside Dredd.

The chemistry and camaraderie between Dredd and Anderson highlight a bloody adventure en route to stopping an evil and ruthless female drug kingpin played Lena Headey. This film is not for those with weak stomachs, but is recommended for those seeking a violent, gritty, and satirical action film that refuses to hold back.