Anderson O
It's half Judge Dredd/ Half Sylvester Stallone Action Movie. Few Comicbooks now would stand the test of time with the status quo of today. Gritty action sequences, offbeat timing on humor to level out the tone, Judge Dredd is more so Action Movie of 1990's.
Rated 2.5/5 Stars •
Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars
02/13/24
Full Review
Killian M
Just my personal opinion here but this movie doesn't age well at all. Bad writing, boring plot that drags even for 90 minutes, and this is in the Stallone era where he just doesn't care about the roles he's in.
Rated 1.5/5 Stars •
Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars
01/11/24
Full Review
Forged S
I AM THE LAW!
From the pages of 2000AD, a British comic spin-off called, "Judge Dredd," pitted the criminals and scum of Mega City One against a group known as the "Judges," who were judge, jury and executioner rolled into one. However, the comic actually acted as a commentary (more accurately a, "mockery"), from an outsider's point of view, on American culture, specifically that of the United States. Far from politically correct, this comic tackled everything from obesity (Dredd fought a gang called, "The Fatties"), to the wealthy elite, the poor, the uneducated, body modification, and even (Judge) Death himself. Nothing was safe.
Then along came this movie.
I'll just say it, this is NOT a good movie. It's a cheesy, campy mess. Designed more like a spiritual sequel to Sylvester Stallone's previous '90s movie, Demolition Man, it was apparent the creators of this movie (Stallone being one of them) could care less about the source material. Sad, considering Stallone was actually a good pick for the character.
According to several sources, it was Stallone's ego and contract that led to such sweeping changes. One glaring example, that most fans of the property point out, was Stallone's insistence (via a contractual obligation) to take off the iconic Judge Dredd helmet, something the character never did in the comics (because of his dedication to his job).
This isn't the first time a script underwent extensive rewrites, at the behest of the lead actor, and it also wasn't Stallone's. But rather than stay true to the material we ended up getting mindless schlock and the partnering of Sylvester Stallone and Rob Schneider once again. Admittedly, while the movie isn't good, there are some redeeming qualities. I just wish, if they were going to change so much, that they just call the movie something else.
Rated 2.5/5 Stars •
Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars
01/10/24
Full Review
Alain M
totally over the top comicbook readaption into a movie, with Sly doing what he does best, kicking ass and delivering cheezy one liners and no emotion, but seeing that Sly isn't a great character actor, that wasn't a big issue in this movie
Rated 3/5 Stars •
Rated 3 out of 5 stars
12/26/23
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Beverly P
Great movie for boys and young men who love comics.
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
09/12/23
Full Review
Box L
With a compelling soundtrack, and an introduction narrated by the legendary James Earl Jones, "Judge Dredd" immediately establishes itself as a tour-de-force; promptly describing its setting, and vividly presenting it. The cast here is stellar, and the film itself is laden with personality and character, making it not only memorable, but memeable. This iteration of Dredd follows in the vein of Stallone's previous film, "Demolition Man" and isn't afraid to poke fun at itself, creating dimensions in its narrative. The film is thus able to present itself as a sci-fi action film, drama and comedy all at once.
The casting of Rob Schneider must have enraged fans expecting the real Dredd created by Wagner and Mills. However, this fateful choice results in a far less myopic depiction of its universe; one that reaches a much larger audience and favors a far more nuanced plot. Here, the Hollywood lens absolutely distorts its source material, but does so with peak industry charm and excellence; not only in story and tempo as well as visually. The performances are magnificent and the script is above adequate; aspects of Hollywood that are now long lost.
Cinematographer Adrian Biddle had a wonderful eye and a keen ability to capture scenery as well as soul. He previously worked on James Bond and Alien, and passed away a decade after this film's release. Despite its easily apparent quality, this movie flopped at the box office, and more than partially due to its lack of respect to source material. Even now, "Judge Dredd" stands as a clear example of Hollywood's meddling and arrogance; refusing to simply TELL a story; thus shooting itself in the foot… a lesson the corporate slugs refuse to learn, even today.
The dilemma in "Judge Dredd" makes its roots in the facts of widespread poverty and the rampant crime it creates; a universal truth that humanity seems to unwilling to tackle or overcome. Also, much like in reality, the upper class here has risen above the suffering masses, but directly depends on its exploitation in order to survive. There is character development in this film; one that results in the humanizing of its protagonist. It also presents the love of friends and the burdens of family. Danny Cannon may have not honored the legacy of the British comic antihero, but he put his every ounce of heart and soul in this production.
Rated 4/5 Stars •
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
08/27/23
Full Review
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