Review of Judge Dredd (1995) by Danny R — 09 Dec 2011

A good sci-fi action film which is very entertaining and nicely directed by by Danny Cannon which is based on the series of popular British comic books, concerning a bleak fascist-like future world in the third millennium, where the Earth has been devastated by ecological chaos and has transformed into a poisonous scorched desert, known as "The Cursed Earth," nations were all in upheaval and millions of people have crowded into a few "Mega Cities," a hellish urban environment where roving bands of street savages created violence the justice system could not control, a new order is created to rule society an all-powerful elite force that is empowered to dispense both justice and punishment they were the police, jury and executioner all in one, they were "The Judges.

" The most notorious law enforcer of Mega City One is Judge Dredd, engagingly played by Sylvester Stallone who is well-suited for this role and has real fun with some inspired self-mocking humor, he is a fearless, emotionless, badass that is rigidly devoted to the Law and is the most feared and respected of all the Street Judges.

The villainous Rico a nemesis from Judge Dredd's past intensely played by Armand Assante in a enjoyable and superb scene-stealing performance, he chews the scenery fervently and is a delight to watch and a corrupt and power-hungry senior Judge named Griffin, played solidly by German actor Jurgen Prochnow, together they framed Judge Dredd with a murder he did not commit, Dredd is arrested and is sent to prison for life, surviving a air shuttle crash on the way to prison with another prisoner named Fergie who he arrested and judged before his arrest, he is wonderfully played by Rob Schneider who provides good comic relief as the wise-cracking reluctant sidekick, now together Dredd and Fergie must go back to the walled Mega City One and stop Rico and Griffin and clear his name.

There are excellent supporting performances by Diane Lane, Joan Chen and a standout turn by the great Swiss character actor Max Von Sydow who delivers a regal performance as Chief Justice Fargo, Dredd's mentor and surrogate father.

Great shoot-'em-up action sequences and luxuriant visual effects with stunning cinematography by Adrian Biddle. A enjoyable popcorn diversion, that is well worth seeing. Highly Recommended.