Dredd (2012) User Reviews

Straight to The Point, Well Directed, Really Violent

[ben-798-604758 · 8/10 · 25 September 2013]

This definitely isn't one of those movies with a lot of character development, but its not your typical action flick either. This is a beautiful work of art with a lot of stylized violence, desolate alleys with shady characters and ill intentions. The grungy neon lights of a dystopian future, the scarlet blood and glimmering glass, the hauntingly beautiful slow motion, what makes this movie great is definitely the visual aspects.

Dredd himself is very one dimensional, forcedly so. Stern, analytical, gruff, his toughness masking a side of him the audience never actually gets to see. His character is described perfectly in the first few minutes by his new psychic apprentice, which is the last look you get inside of his head before its slammed shut. He is a man who takes his duty seriously to the point that it consumes him, defines him.

Ma-ma is sadistically brilliant. Her mob-style domination of peach tree creates a claustrophobic apprehension for a threat far too big to take on in a box far too small to escape. The terror by which she controls the people is believable and vicious. Whats lost in character development is regained by the subtle twisted moments and reactions to the threats imposed on each of the characters.

The psychic scenes were perhaps the most well done and paints a very nice psychological battle between the judge in training and her prisoner. I would've actually enjoyed more of these as they were very surreal and artistic. Its also cool to see the way she breaks him down even after he thinks he has the upper hand.

Slow mo, the drug this movie centers around, makes for some very awesome fight scenes on par with Sherlock Holmes 2: a Game of Shadows and the Matrix. The visual effects were very well executed and i myself being a visual effects artist, have only one complaint. At some points the blood was a bit oversaturated and toonish, which was likely in attempt to match the comic but draws away from a few scenes.

Karl Urban IS Dredd.

[BA_Harrison · 7/10 · 7 September 2012]

I've been a Dredd fan for thirty years now, but I'm not about to give this movie adaptation of my favourite comic character a ridiculously high rating purely from some misguided sense of loyalty. Instead, I'm going to give it a deservingly high score because, quite simply, it is a very good film, one that successfully captures the essence of the 2000AD strip, delivering brutal action by the bucket-load, excellent central performances, and inspired direction, all enhanced by breathtaking state-of-the-art 3D special effects.

After the debacle that was Stallone's Judge Dredd (1995), the makers of this movie have clearly made their prime directive to please hardcore Dredd fans, and it shows: the screenplay, by Alex Garland, remains very faithful to the spirit of the comic, and in Karl Urban, we now have the perfect Dredd-all raspy voice and humourless grimace, it looks as though the character has jumped straight onto the screen from the pages of 2000AD (helmet intact). Similarly, it would be hard to imagine anyone more suitable than Olivia Thirlby as rookie Psi-Judge Anderson (and believe me, I've tried!).

Is Dredd 3D my 'ideal' Dredd movie? Not quite... made for a comparatively meagre budget of $45million, it would be hard pushed to live up to my impossibly high expectations (just realising the Mega-City One of my dreams would require way more money than it cost to make this entire film). That said, it is definitely a massive step in the right direction, and if it is the financial success that it genuinely deserves to be, who knows what treats await us in the future: The Cursed Earth, Judge Cal, Judge Death, The Apocalypse War.... I'm salivating like a Klegg just thinking about it.

** EDIT - 5th April 2021 ** Just watched Dredd again, this time without the benefit of 3D, and found it less impressive than I remembered. I was struck more than before by how poorly Mega City One is presented, with vehicles that look like they're from now instead the end of the 21st century. Little effort was spent in making the environment appear futuristic - things like computer keyboards and electric fans are still as they are today. Budget was clearly an issue, and it shows.

Also, the whole 'Wait' conversation doesn't work for me. The bad judge would've plugged Dredd in the head instead of allowing him to buy time.

I still love Urban's portrayal, and the violence is cool, but I really hope that if there is a next time, they make the film look more like the comics.

Old rating: 8/10 New rating: 6.5/10, rounded up to 7. It's still good, just not great.

A Superior Action Movie

[alan_holloway_2 · 8/10 · 7 September 2012]

The basic aim of Dredd is simple – it needs to be bold, true to the source material and full of juicy violence, enough to wipe out the memories of the notoriously poor Stallone attempt of 1995 that threw plenty of money at the screen without bothering to work on anything resembling a decent script.

The character of Judge Dredd, now entering his 35th year in UK comic 2000AD (they know it's 2012 - don't ask), isn't a complicated one. He is, as he is fond of stating, the law. The time is the future, and amidst the wasteland that is America there is a single, massive city with 800 million inhabitants, appropriately called Mega City One. It's quite the scumhole, and the only thing that stands between it and total chaos are the Judges, trained for years to be the ultimate in law enforcement, yet so outnumbered they can only handle 6% of the crimes committed. This, people, is as thin as the blue line gets.

The film is written by long time fan Alex Garland (28 Days later, Sunshine), and has had plenty of input from Dredd's creator (and still main writer even now) John Wagner. Filmed in South Africa on what passes for a tight budget these days (especially for Sci-Fi), it could be compared to District 9 in terms of the sheer effort put into it, with a result that is similarly impressive although aesthetically miles apart. Director Pete Travis (Endgame) does an excellent job, and between them they have turned in a film that will stand the test of time as a superior, adult action movie.

The premise is reasonably simple, something that works well as an introduction to what is, in the comics at least, a sprawling future world. Dredd is accompanied on patrol by rookie Judge Anderson, very well played by Olivia Thirlby, who is on the verge of failing her final assessment but is being given a second chance because of her powerful, and rare, psi abilities. A routine triple homicide (it's that sort of city) turns into a siege when they are trapped in a massive tower block by criminal nutjob Ma Ma (Lena Headey) and forced to fight their way out and stop her manufacturing the addictive new drug, Slo Mo. Obviously there's a bit more to it than that, but this is the basic set up and it works very well indeed, allowing for plenty of violence, some character development and no few explosions.

I can't write this review without focusing on Karl Urban, who has previously stood out for his excellent turn as Dr McCoy in the Star Trek revival. Not afraid to go through an entire movie with a helmet on, he is spot on as Dredd. He gives us an emotionless machine, a man who cares for nothing but the law, but a man you want to get behind and cheer on as he splats bad guys left right and centre. The humanity comes from Anderson, and it helps that Thirlby doesn't have to wear a helmet herself, with the handy excuse that it interferes with her psi abilities. Between them they give us the tired old wardog and the 21 year old rookie on the streets for the first time, and you sympathise with the life of a Mega City Judge.

Some people have criticized the apparent similarities between Dredd and the recent film The Raid: Redemption, in which Indonesian cops storm a tower block and much chop sockey ensues. To be honest, I was a little worried myself, but having seen both films I can happily confirm that they are nothing alike. Whilst The Raid is a pretty intense martial arts film which is rather dull between fights (although the fights are awesome), Dredd is a tight film all the way through, with the plot more than an excuse to go from fight to fight.

In conclusion, I can heartily recommend this film, in case you hadn't guessed. It's sort of like a cross between Robocop and Die Hard, all moderned up and with better music. It's no coincidence that those are two of the most kick ass action films ever, and Dredd borrows from the best, although as Robocop stole from Dredd in the first place it's more like recovering pinched property. The 3D is actually worth shelling out for, and there are some beautiful sequences where it comes into it's own, whilst the film itself is gritty and dirty, although not without a few lighter moments amidst the carnage. The humour in Dredd's comic strips comes from the city around him rather than his own actions, and here's hoping we'll see Alex Garland penning a sequel that allows us to wander through Dredd's world. Quite simply a superior action film, and whilst it's no masterpiece (then again, it's not supposed to be) it's as good as fans could ever have hoped. Here's to the sequels

I really liked this movie.

[0U · 20 February 2020]

Graphic, gripping, and very well developed. This is exactly what we should see from a comic of this subject matter. The performances are outstanding; everyone plays their role to absolute perfection. Completely loaded with entertaining action and blood to keep you interested. The directing, editing, sound design, and effects, terrific. A criminally underrated movie that I'm glad got the cult following and recognition it deserves.

Cyberpunk delight

[griffithxjohnson · 7/10 · 31 May 2022]

A gritty ride that jumps right in & doesn't stop. It's simple & effectively meets its goals of hyper violent suspenseful crime content. The world building is brief but immersive with dull colors except for the gorgeously shot intoxication scenes.

Criminally underappreciated

[garciarichard · 9/10 · 29 September 2018]

Dredd is a simple action film with a simple premise that suffers from the legacy of a horrid 1995 Hollywood film adaptation to a British cult comic (2000 AD). It's a shame a sequel never saw the light of day, since Karl Urban was superb in his portrayal of Judge Dredd.

A noisy and satisfying piece of entertainment

[Leofwine_draca · 7/10 · 22 October 2013]

DREDD is the second adaptation of the cult comic book series Judge Dredd, following on from a poorly-received Stallone flick in the '90s (for the record, I thought that version was passable but weak in places, as is the case with a lot of mid-'90s cinema). This one's a lot more gutsy and compelling, thanks to the lean script and emphasis throughout on bloody action and adult entertainment. No pandering to the teenage crowd here.

Karl Urban, long since a favourite of mine (since his excellent turn as the Russian assassin in THE BOURNE SUPREMACY) headlines as Dredd, never taking his helmet off throughout the film. Thus he's reduced to acting via his chin and gravely voice, and the surprise is that it works, to a degree. The helmet serves to distance the viewer from warming to the character, but then that's the point. I did like him though, and enjoyed his totalitarian attitude towards keeping crime off the streets.

Many reviewers have commented on the movie's similarity in plot to the Indonesian action epic THE RAID, and it's clear the two films share plenty. However, I think there's space for both of them in the market; DREDD is an unashamed shoot-em-up while THE RAID is an unashamed martial arts movie. They cater to different markets, and both are equally good.

DREDD's grim, claustrophobic setting is a strong one (bringing to mind the likes of '80s nihilist cinema like TENEMENT and DEATH WISH 3) and the action never lets up from start to finish. The scene with the huge guns is the stand-out, of course, but there's plenty of good minor stuff along the way, where encounters between Dredd and various bad guys are well directed and choreographed. Lena Headey's villain is utterly imposing and my only disappointment was with the ultra-slow-motion sequences, which are a bit pretentious and overused; thankfully they virtually disappear once the novelty wears off. I watched the 3D version of this movie, and while it's not the most visually impressive 3D film I've seen, it does make the film feel more immersive as a whole.

Perfect Dredd

[Lugodoc · 10/10 · 7 September 2012]

I'm a huge fan of the comic 2000AD and the character Judge Dredd since 1979, and this film completely satisfied me. They changed all the right things and kept all the right things. Director Pete Travis tackled the problem of filming a comic book by making something that looks nothing like a comic book and more like an action movie shot on location, with a simple linear plot that keeps rolling and never slows down.

Megacity 1 is made markedly less futuristic than the comic in order to become so believable that it is hard to tell where the real slums of Cape Town end and the CGI kilometre high city blocks start. I have an uncomfortable feeling that in less than a hundred years cities like this may actually exist.

The comic Judge's uniform works on paper but can't in real life - giant golden eagles, shoulder pads and bronze name badges hanging off a leather one-piece body suit would sag, wobble and look daft. The movie gives us body armour that looks like it actually gets used whilst keeping the helmet exactly the same. The effect is striking and believable, like everything else in this film.

The plot revolves around a drug which makes time seem to slow down a hundred times, the perfect excuse for scenes of ultra slo-mo explosive bloody (and beautiful) anatomically correct violence that earn this film its 18 rating. Not a kid's movie at all. Every supporting actor looks like they came out of a gang documentary, scarred, nasty, sweaty and mean. Lena Headey totally kicks ass as the ruthless gang lord Ma Ma, calmly relishing the deaths of her enemies, eyes sledging from narcotic addiction.

In a way this is Olivia Thirlby's movie, since she gets the character arc, rookie judge Cassandra Anderson assigned to Dredd for evaluation and finding herself on a very steep learning curve. She is vulnerable, spikey and tough as called for, vital to the movie in order to balance Dredd.

How do you play Dredd? He is the opposite of a character. He has no personal arc, never changes or grows. He has no sense of humour, the comic finds that by placing utterly deadpan 'ol stony- face in ironic situations that reflect off him. And where do you find an actor prepared to wear a helmet obscuring everything but his mouth and chin for the whole 95 minutes? Karl Urban must be a huge fan himself to play the part so right. One reviewer described his performance as "ego-free" and it is. I didn't see Urban anywhere in this movie, all I saw was Dredd.

Me and Dredd-heads everywhere thank you Karl. You smashed it.

Definitely Underrated

[mselby-01342 · 7/10 · 7 December 2023]

"Dredd" is one heck of a unique movie that grabbed me from the get-go with its intriguing, futuristic, and cyberpunk-ish world. Karl Urban steps into Judge Dredd's boots, and while he plays the character well, I couldn't help but feel that he didn't quite bring the intensity or roughness I expected. It's like he's a badass, but there's this layer of restraint that left me wanting more.

The film showcases some cool uses of futuristic tech that are a feast for the eyes. The slow-motion effects, in particular, add a visually stunning and trippy element to the action scenes. Yet, there are a few picky details that made me raise an eyebrow - mostly just small aspects of the action that seemed to be overlooked. It's a minor gripe in the grand scheme of things, but for a dystopian future, I expected a bit more practicality.

What surprised me the most was discovering that "Dredd" had received relatively low reviews. I mean, come on, the gritty and dark atmosphere, the relentless action, and Lena Headey's stellar portrayal of the brutal and disheveled villain, Ma-Ma, are nothing to scoff at. Headey manages to bring this unsettling aura to the character, making her a memorable antagonist.

The pacing is relentless, and the movie doesn't waste time with unnecessary subplots. It's a straight-up action-packed ride with a simple yet effective storyline. The cinematography adds to the overall intensity, creating a world that feels both dangerous and enthralling.

Sure, it may not be a flawless masterpiece, but "Dredd" delivers what it promises - a gritty, no-nonsense dive into a dystopian future where justice is served with a side of mayhem. If you can overlook a few minor hiccups, you're in for an adrenaline-pumping experience. So, don't let those low reviews scare you off; Judge Dredd may not say much, but his actions speak louder than any critic's words. Buckle up for a wild ride through Mega-City One with a badass judge and a villain who's as ruthless as they come.

The Best Comic Action Adaptation movie of the year! It's Judgment Time!

[ivo-cobra8 · 10/10 · 7 November 2015]

Dredd (2012 is one of the best science fiction action film adapted by comic book 2000 AD. It is one of my personal favorite movies. This is the character that kicks ass! This movie is so much better than original Stallone film. Stallone's Judge Dredd did not kicks ass, Karl Urban's Dredd did! I love this film to death I love it so much and it is better than Judge Dredd (1995) and it always will be! Dredd kills like 50 people in here, there are 100 of bodies everywhere I love this action film to death!

Lena Headey is such a bad ass, I told you the woman can kick ass and she would kick Emilia Clarke's ass anytime. Lena was such a bad ass playing beautiful Sarah Connor in Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles TV Series (2008). This movie is a lot of fun.

Ma-Ma is not the law... I am the law.

Dredd was a better comic adaptation of not only the story of Mega City One but also of Judge Dredd the character. If you were left with a bad taste in your mouth from Judge Dredd 1995 movie then this is the perfect flavor. Tons of action and gore to keep any guy entertained and before you realize it you are at the end. A must see not only for Judge Dredd fans but action fans also. The darkness and violence of the movie is how its suppose to be and the action just keeps building up throughout the movie. Action is well paced and believable. Not a dull moment.It is very violent, which I enjoy, but others may find it too much. This film is such a bad ass, he shots a bullet to the guys face and it melts his face off, that's awesome!!! There's a lot of slow-motion in here, but let me tell you something: Slow-Motions in here works, there is the reason for the Slow-Motion okay. Soon as he kicks the door in and he starts shooting people and in slow-motion you can see the bullets cut in the people's up and that is great, awesome! Lena Headey plays a good ass villain, man you want to see her ass kicked! You want to see that Judge Dredd takes her up in the air, "Your going down, your going down real good."

I love this movie I had a great time seen it, it is a solid Rater R reboot movie for an adults and not a children. You can see people cut in a half for a true 80's throwback kick ass Science Ficton/Action new wave classic I'm glad I enjoyed this film. It deserves much more respect than it garnered in the press and ticket sales. The acting is top-notch, a simple yet elegant plot device, and amazing cinematography. It may not have made a lot of money or been given the respect it deserves at this time, but I have a feeling that subsequent generations will find a hidden gem in this masterpiece. Personally I love Dredd, like any other comic character or real person witch stays true to his honor and values of life or society without making himself the exception of his own rules. That's true ideology. Any other thing is propaganda or personality problem. The world has irradiated itself from nuclear war. The earth is all but a barren wasteland, with its remaining inhabitants crowded into Mega-Cities. Mega-City One's population is 800 million, with its territory stretching from Boston to Washington D.C. Amongst the crowded chaos stands one force to bring order; a force that serves as jury, executioner, and Judge. On a day when Dredd (Karl Urban) is assigned rookie, Cassandra Anderson (Olivia Thirlby), for assessment, they would get more than they bargained for on her first day. In response to an initial homicide call at the city block of Peach Trees, they also discover a drug ring run by a woman called Ma-Ma (Lena Heady). But she won't have the Judges taking one of her men into custody. And in an attempt to thwart them, she seals the block's blast doors, leaving the Judges to fend for themselves as they battle to survive.

In the future, America is a dystopian wasteland. The latest scourge is Ma-Ma, a prostitute-turned-drug pusher with a dangerous new drug and aims to take over the city. The only possibility of stopping her is an elite group of urban police called Judges, who combine the duties of judge, jury and executioner to deliver a brutal brand of swift justice. But even the top-ranking Judge, Dredd (Karl Urban), discovers that taking down Ma-Ma isn't as easy as it seems in this explosive adaptation of the hugely popular comic series.

That is your basic plot it is a lot of interesting titles that make this movie the bleak and desolate sci-fi actioner that it is. It is a dystopian Science Fiction action flick similar to Robocop (1987). This film works while Robocop (2014) reboot failed!

Dredd is a 2012 science fiction action film directed by Pete Travis and written and produced by Alex Garland. It is based on the 2000 AD comic strip Judge Dredd and its eponymous character created by John Wagner and Carlos Ezquerra.

I am giving this film A 10/10 because it deserves it! I love this movie!

Fun dystopian action flick strongly executed

[vandeman-scott · 7/10 · 10 September 2023]

I'm not sure whether or not DREDD is a great movie. What I am sure about is that I enjoyed it very, very much. Atmospheric visuals, non-stop action, an engaging story, and solid performances all around made for a pleasant Saturday evening surprise.

Movies depicting dystopian futures are ever popular and DREDD makes full use of the genre, employing first-rate special effects to create a mega skyscraper that functions like a self-contained city within a city. The set styling can best be described as futuristic decay. Featuring copious amounts of graffiti, garbage, and grime, the movie's look and feel offer a convincing depiction of civilization in decline.

DREDD, which was released in 2012, unnervingly mirrors many aspects of the increasingly lawless society we're witnessing in 2023. Rife with corrosive drugs, rampant violence, pervasive corruption, and depraved inhumanity, the world these characters inhabit -- like the world we inhabit -- feels a bit like a runaway train hurtling toward certain disaster. Simply put, it hits a bit close to home. This prescience gives the film some weight the filmmakers may not have intended, but it enhances the experience just the same.

Karl Urban is a standout in the lead role, playing the mysterious Judge Dredd like a cross between Robocop and John Reese from PERSON OF INTEREST, delivering each line in an emotionless, husky half-whisper. Clad in head-to-toe leather and a helmet-visor combo that obscures his face for the entirety of the film, he still manages to infuse the character with an easy, masculine sex appeal that doesn't seem contrived or overdone.

The script is straightforward and doesn't attempt any major surprises, twists, or reversals, but that hardly matters in DREDD. What's important are the solid, well paced action sequences. The script supports those well, without unnecessary holes, and never comes across as silly or nonsensical.

If you're seeking a lot of backstory and character development, you'll probably want to look elsewhere. If a fast-paced thrill ride through a terrifying possible future interests you, buckle up and press play.

Where is the sequel for this movie?! I've been waiting 10 years!

[bdunnit · 10/10 · 28 December 2021]

Karl Urbans Judge Dredd is awesome. This movie is awesome, very close to the comic stories. Stallone's Dredd was a joke. This movie should have started a Dredd franchise. We need a good sequel NOW!

DROKK!

[AfricanBro · 7/10 · 4 October 2023]

It's a dystopian film, and I'm a sucker for any post-apocalyptic stuff. It's refreshing to see a superhero movie that doesn't belong to the Marvel or DC universes because it doesn't adhere to the typical superhero formula; instead, it leans more towards mutants. Yes I remember X-men exist.

The opening sets a high-intensity tone, reminiscent of a comic book with its dialogue. The film doesn't shy away from being bloody and violent, which I liked. The portrayal of a futuristic city with a high crime rate reminded me of something you'd find in Christian Bale's Batman series.

However, I believe there could have been more done to set production; looked as if they had a lower budget and the filmmakers trying to make the most of it. The costumes were still great, although not extraordinary; they felt like nothing's missing.

One aspect that disappointed me was the lack of a significant climax. There was a lot of action and violence throughout the film, so when it came to the final battle, it didn't raise the stakes significantly compared to what had been witnessed earlier. It felt like a simple story meant to introduce the audience to this world, which wasn't necessarily a bad thing. I wished it had received a sequel, but I guess it didn't performed well at the box office.

Surprisingly, the film felt less like a traditional movie and more like an episode, possibly because most of it takes place in one building in a single day. It felt like a glimpse into one day on the job, akin to a mix of Denzel Washington's "Training Day" and Karl Urban's "The Boys" in a dystopian setting. When I consider it from that perspective, it seems like it had the potential to be much better.

Overall, I still think it's a good movie, but not great. I had higher expectations, and my mind wasn't blown. However, it does feel like it could have been the start of a trilogy.

While I'm not sure if they'll make a sequel, we are indeed in an era of sequels and remakes. If they were to consider it, I'd be okay with either: a remake with a bigger budget, even with the same cast, or a sequel, as it feels like there was more to explore in the Dredd universe.

Overrated movie literally

[obitus-1 · 1/10 · 25 December 2012]

This movie is a good example that there are ways to give a movie way higher average rating on IMDb then it deserves. I also found some highly suspicious reviews with 10/10 stars and 100+ useful review votes from users within a very short time-span;most likely due to some private small company hired to hype up the scores and write predefined payed reviews.

If you want to see a good action movie that has the same theme;watch raid redemption. This one is like some previous posters wrote a clone between a video game and bad copy of raid redemption.

Only reason to watch this is if you got a date since it gives you pretty high odds to get laid, since it gets so boring to watch after a while;she will focus her attention to some more interesting things, rather then watching this crap. Many years ago IMDb was a useful source to check if a movie was good or bad, but that has changed after film producers has realized the marketing potential on a site like this unfortunately.

Hope I helped you make up your mind.

-Obi

Cult Classic in waiting

[iccstewart · 3 May 2013]

This film made me want to sign up to IMDb and write a review for the first time. Why? Very rarely do I see an action film that surprises me. I did not have high hopes, given the low budget and the "other" Judge Dredd film.

This film did everything right. Violence is plentiful, but not there for the sake of it. The villain is superb, and it is refreshing to see an action movie with female characters who have their own story and agency. They are not just dropped in to fill a quota.

The story wisely follows a day in the life of Judge Dredd, as he reviews a raw recruit. A simple formula that is done well.

Why is this film a cult classic in my opinion? I am not a fan of comic book films, or comic books. This film does not feel like a comic book film cobbled together quickly with CGI powering the narrative. It is refreshingly dark, with a well styled dystopian vision of a future Metropolis. The action sequences - even in 2D - are great. Karl Urban squeezes an incredible amount of nuance out of his character, remarkable given that we never see anything exposed other than his mouth and chin. The film is tight and quick, without resorting to action movie clichés to move the story along.

Overall, this film just has that something that makes me feel it will be worshiped in years to come. It is difficult to point to the one "thing" that makes this movie great. See this film.

Getting It Right

[billygoat1071 · 7/10 · 20 September 2012]

The first film adaptation of Judge Dredd is probably made for Sylvester Stallone's career, but it tones down the character by making him a generic hero with a wimpy sidekick and a love interest, fighting a bunch of hammy villains. Much worse is he mostly removes his helmet and shows his entire face which is a horrible sin to the character. This version, Dredd, is a lot darker and has more respect to the source material. The difference is it aims to be a Sci-Fi Noir Thriller than an Adventure Fantasy. Some might think it's just another action film, but it turns out to be one of the most intense action films of the year. Although, the plot isn't quite fresh. The film is still an entertaining ninety minute thrill ride.

One thing you should know about Judge Dredd is he is not your average hero. Unlike most heroes, he's faceless, fearless, grim, lawful, and unsympathetic to his enemies. It's an intriguing comic book character that is worth rooting for. The story is straightforward. It doesn't explain anything about the "Cursed Earth" or the back story of the main protagonist. The intro briefly explains about the city but the rest is all about the mission. The main plot is quite similar to another action film, The Raid: Redemption. A band of law enforcers trapped inside an apartment building, ambushed by criminals who wanted to kill them. Except, the martial arts is replaced with a sense of Police Detective and Science Fiction with bigger and louder gunfights. That is the interesting part of the film. The plot may not be fresh all in all but the film is clever enough to put things together than just throw some random action set pieces.

Karl Urban lives it up to the character. Besides of looking awesome with the helmet, he makes every scene excitingly fun. Olivia Thirlby plays her role pretty well as Dredd's rookie sidekick. Lena Heady is threatening enough as Ma-Ma. The action scenes are mostly gunfights. They are slick and intense. The opening chase scene was the craziest action of the film. The rest is quite stylish and explosive. The slow motion action scenes are pretty cool especially when there's blood and gore exploding on screen. It interestingly shows the overlong slow trippiness of the "Slow-Mo" drug. The production design and the special effects are solid. The music score adds the momentum of the action. I don't know what to say about the 3D.

The plot is kind of weak but as a whole the film gets it right to its source material. Keeping Dredd's helmet on and setting it on a bleak grim world already makes this a worthy adaptation. I could've enjoyed it more if I saw the full version of the film. The version here in my country censors the best gore of the picture. It's still somewhat gory. The film has the tension and the style. Dredd leaves the generic hero arc behind and let the Judge do what he does best.

Perfect Dredd

[SnoopyStyle · 8/10 · 11 August 2013]

In a dystopian future, the world is devastated. Judge Dredd (Karl Urban) is the last word in Law & Order within Mega-City One. Judge Cassandra Anderson (Olivia Thirlby) is his junior partner. They are battling drug lord Ma-Ma (Lena Headey) who is operating out of a massive apartment block.

The previous version of Judge Dredd (1995) starring Sly is a campy affair. Consider that it had Rob Schneider in it. 'nuff said. This one brings us into the comics once again but this time, they drop the camp. It is well written probably because they had Alex Garland who also wrote 28 Days Later... and Sunshine among others. Karl Urban is not as imposing as Sly but he does a solid job. Most importantly, he's not impersonating Sly. Olivia Thirlby is great as a foil or conscience to Dredd. Their relationship is the heart of the movie. Lena Headey does a good job as the baddie. It's an interesting unusual choice. It's certainly not your average muscle bound villain.

I did have 2 problems. First, Slo-Mo happens too many times. The first couple of times are interesting. I'm sure it's cool 3D fun, but even that would get tiresome. It's a balancing act between pace and cool and the climax needs pace more than cool. Second problem is the ending. The final fight with Lena Headey is not as climatic as needed. It's a bit of a letdown. Overall, this is super-fun despite the minor problems.

Violent, stylish and light on dialogue...perfect Dredd

[Filmdokter · 7/10 · 24 May 2021]

This is a vast improvement on the lame Judge Dredd film that starred Stallone as the titular anti-hero. Dredd should be stylish (it is a graphic novel after all), violent (come on, it's Dredd!) and light on dialogue but heavy on action. Voila...Dredd delivers. Sure, the plot is a rip-off from The Raid (a true action classic) but who cares when it's executed this good? The film looks great, especially the so-called Slo Mo shots, and delivers what it needs and expects to do. Plus: Dredd keeps on his helmet.

SOOOOOO UNDERRATED!!!!

[camarossdriver · 10/10 · 18 March 2021]

"DREDD" is one of my ALL TIME FAVORITE MOVIES! I've seen it so many times that I've lost count. Karl Urban NAILS IT as Dredd...actually...the ENTIRE CAST nails it. The story is GREAT...the acting is GREAT...and the cinematography is AWESOME! You might think that they can't do much by basically having the story in one location,but you would be WRONG! How this movie wasn't a blockbuster is beyond me,but if any movie DESERVES A SEQUEL...this one DOES! In the modern era of "superhero movies",this movie feels the most realistic and somewhat plausible. HECK...I'm going to fire it up right now for the UMP-TEENTH time. If you HAVEN'T seen it,do yourself a favor and WATCH IT! Toodles.

Onslaught of a flick - in your face action

[jb_campo · 7/10 · 23 May 2021]

I really like this 2012 Dredd starring Karl Urban (Star Trek films) as Judge Dredd. I saw Urban in another film and thought it sub-B grade at best, but as Dredd, oh he nailed it. You never see his full face throughout because his visor hides his eyes. But what he does with his motions and voice are outstanding. At times, he has that almost Robocop walk and movement. It's fantastic.

Dredd gets to train up a rookie and based on his judgment on that day's performance, she either passes or not. The rookie has some special abilities that are helpful thruout the movie. Dredd gets called to a scene at one of the mega-apartment buildings where the bad guy drug overlords rule. It's like Dredd against a 1000 bad guys. No problem.

That's about all you need to know. Dredd has to overcome tremendous adversity to get his man or woman. The partners work well together. The bad guys are really bad bad guys, and the good guys, well, expect some twists.

Excellent directing kept this moving fast n tight. The overall theme is dark, bloody, violent, and loud. There is excellent use of slow motion camera to accentuate things going on, and it works really well.

I never saw the Stallone version of Dredd, but this one with Urban will be hard to beat. Watch this if you want to see a non-stop action movie of good guys against bad guys in a futuristic setting. That's a common theme, but Dredd stands out by having terrific acting and a pretty good plot. Enjoy.

Bring on the sequels!

[DavidH8545 · 8/10 · 7 September 2012]

'Dredd' is an efficient and entertaining action movie, with lots of memorable moments, kills and one-liners.

I really hope that everyone goes out to see the movie, because how often do we really get an extremely violent, faithful, intelligent science fiction movie in cinemas nowadays. I also want them to make more sequels. There is so much potential for sequels, as this movie has set up the character and the scenario, and we can really get into the more epic storytelling. The story in 'Dredd' is very confined, 85% of the film takes place in one of the huge tower blocks, and I kinda wanted to see more of the city and more of Dredd's world. But for what it is, 'Dredd' is a very good movie. There are also lots of nice character moments in between all the action, and some truly breathtaking slow-motion sequences, that almost makes the extra price of the 3D worthwhile.

Dredd is such a great character. He is a challenging anti-hero and an uncompromising bad-ass. And don't worry, the film does not glamorise violence, or justify Mega City One's judicial system. People often compare Dredd to 'Dirty Harry', but I would argue that Dredd is a more heroic character, because he would never break the rules, like Dirty Harry does. He isn't a hero because he executes bad guys, but because he is incorruptible, and will always fight for what he believes is right, despite the danger of doing it. If it is right or not, the movie leaves to the audience.

Its such an enjoyable movie that deserves success. Now go watch 'Dredd'. Creep!!

Stripped back and bloodthirsty science-fiction.

[Pjtaylor-96-138044 · 7/10 · 17 May 2018]

'Dredd (2012)' is much better than the Stallone version. This gritty and true-to-the-comics adaptation has plenty of brutal action and sharp dialogue. The characters are relatable, the world is excellently painted and Urban's performance is on-point. The taut pace keeps you on the edge of your seat throughout, and it's this that is perhaps the piece's greatest strength. That, and the fact it is a proper adult science-fiction aimed at the same audience as its source-material. It doesn't compromise and feels almost like a pulpy 80s move in the best way possible, stripped back and bloodthirsty. It's a remarkable achievement considering its budget. 7/10.

I really hope that they will make another one

[tasospap_5 · 10/10 · 19 November 2018]

This is the best Comics to movie adaptation ever and I hope they make another one

Surprisingly Good

[gavin6942 · 7/10 · 1 April 2014]

In a violent, futuristic city where the police have the authority to act as judge, jury and executioner, a cop teams with a trainee to take down a gang that deals the reality-altering drug, SLO-MO.

I have seen the cheesy yet fun "Judge Dredd" (1995) and the legendary "RoboCop" that was sort of a detour from what they had envisioned "Dredd" to be decades ago... and I thought there was no way this could compare to them. I was half right.

There is no matching "RoboCop", and I will pretend it was not remade. But this "Dredd" has some very likable things to it, and makes the Judge out to be more than just an assassin with a gun. There is still some cheese (though much darker cheese than in the Stallone version). But somehow it all seems to work.

Good entertainment, but lacking in contrasts

[AsgerHa · 1/10 · 4 October 2012]

The new Dredd movie from 2012 is good, solid entertainment. The story is mostly a case study of Dredd and rookie Judge Anderson (a quite important figure in the comics it is nice to see her included in the adaption) working a single case. The result of this focus is a well rounded and satisfying story which looks a lot like a "pilot episode" with the extra quality of being able to stand alone (rather than just introducing characters and suggesting future plot lines without actually telling a story).

But it fails in capturing the "feel" of the comic books. Without meaning this in a strictly purist way, I still think the one quality that would really make a Dredd movie stand out - and above - from the majority of superhero movies ... would be to do a good job of capturing the characteristics that makes the comic book a success - in a way that clearly stands apart from anything else.

The new "Dredd" fails to do so for a number of reasons. While more popular than the 1995 "Judge Dredd" with Sylvester Stallone, that version remains an arguably better interpretation of the comic books in a number of ways.

Overall, the Stallone version had two flaws. First and foremost: Judge Dredd takes off his helmet. This rightly put off a lot of fans - he NEVER does that in the comics. It *is* an error, huge enough in itself to say the Stallone adaption fails to be a "true" Judge Dredd adaption. Secondly, it actually tried too hard to be a loyal adaption of the comic book in other respects, e.g. by including a robot from the marginal ABC Warriors from the books - and many other "well known details". It's more a showcase than good story telling.

But this also makes the Stallone movie more colorful, absurd, and over-the-top in a way that - despite the helmet issue - does a vastly better job at capturing several important qualities that make the books stand apart.

The new "Dredd" does a better job at telling a story - but it fails completely in being "real" Dredd. "Judge Dredd" surely wasn't perfect - but neither is "Dredd". It lacks in the extreme contrasts that hallmark the Dredd comic books.

The comic books have a lot of special traits that makes them great fun; more absurd British humor than the new movie succeeds in capturing. This *is* a loss because a more loyal adaption would have been more unique, better-looking and overall funnier than the entertaining but far from unique result at hand.

For example: Judge Dredd is NOT a "future cop", he is a "judge". All judges are brainwashed with principles of justice to a degree where they are more "robocops" than human beings. There are no corrupt judges. And they do not "uphold the law": Their mandate is to *make* the law - on the spot, for the occasion.

Megacity One is *not* a gigantic slum. It is a clean and colorful city of enormous buildings in absurd designs. There are no 1, 2, or 3 story buildings, there simply isn't room for that. The huge population *must* be packed into gigantic beehive buildings. The air traffic is of course TIGHT.

Megacity One is held in an iron grip by the Department of Justice - the Judges. They are *NOT* - quote - "losing control of the city" - they constantly have to fight extreme crime and disturbances in an extremely large population, but ... "losing control"? ... The Judges? -NEVER! Dredd of the comic books is first and foremost fun because he is the ultimate parody of the ultimate control freak.

Much of the problem here would be the lack of money to (re-)create a convincingly correct Judge Dredd universe. In order to cover this a bit the movie mostly takes place in darkly lit corridors.

But thus is lost the contrast between an amusement park-like colorful city, and dark and absurd violence, and extreme measures of justice, of the comic book, which combine into a unique world of absurd contrasts in the comics. The less visible but extremely important point that the Judge Dredd is a true hero and a true anti-hero both in one bag is also lost. The new "Dredd" seems too serious to fully capture that.

The lesson from this movie is; if you cannot get the money for a real adaptation, do something else. A completely new version with a much bigger budget is our only hope for ever seeing a "real" Dredd adaptation.

As a dark, gritty, violent low-budget action sci-fi this movie is a 6 out of 10. But for posturing as a "Dredd" movie without capturing anything of the look, feel, humour, or points of the source material, it ends up a 1.