ViewGuide

Created Oct 02, 2012 05:36PM PST • Edited Oct 02, 2012 05:36PM PST

1. Quality

2. Summary

   Very Good 3.5

   In the summer of 1995, the very popular cult comic “2000 AD” was adapted to the big screen. Starring sylvester stallone as judge joe dredd, the movie was ultimately considered a wild disappointment in many ways. Dredd 3D is not that movie. With a very much earned hard “R” rating, a new actor in the iconic role and some breathtaking use of 3D technology, this new Dredd is a completely different beast: relentless, action-packed, brutal, stunning, and an altogether grand ol’ time to be had at the movies! All in all, this popcorn flick rocks.

4. Acting

   Good 3.0

   lets get this out of the way, Dredd 3D isnt the type of movie that you go to for the oscar caliber acting. That having officially been said, Karl Urban is judge joe dredd brought to life. From the trademark snarl and (assumed) gravelly voice channeling clint eastwood, Karl Urban is the comic character brought gloriously to life in every way (and all without taking the legendary helmet off once!). Lena headey (under layers of makeup to make her look like a vile criminal boss) is teeth-gnashing great as “ma-ma”, the principal villain. Olivia thirlby rounds out what id say are the major players as a psychically charged rookie who is on a test mission to see if she even makes it that far. She nails the role- the combination of fear and reluctant confidence work well with the character and is a great foil for dredd. This movie, however, is ALL Dredd.

5. Male Stars Awful 0.0

6. Female Stars Awful 0.0

7. Female Costars Awful 0.0

8. Male Costars Awful 0.0

10. Film

    Very Good 3.5

    I didnt look to see if this was filmed or converted into 3D, but if a conversion, it is surely the best conversion ever. The 3D is outstanding from the outset, serves the action perfectly, and will blow your if you let it. This reviewer isnt a 3D fan at all, and i was very impressed. The production design is incredible, with “mega city 1” almost being its own character in the film. It truly feels like the gritty post-apocalyptic city that “2000 AD” shows in ink and paper (and was far too garish and silly in the 1995 film). The building where most of the action takes place is very much the same, with it feeling like a breathing, integral part of the enjoyment of the film. You can certainly tell the budget went to making the movie fictional yet with realism. And one couldnt get away without mentioning the direction of pete travis (vantage point). Its brutally genius. He pulls Zero punches, bludgeoning you over the head with setpiece after setpiece double-dipped in amazing action sequences.

11. Direction Awful 0.0

12. Play Awful 0.0

13. Music Awful 0.0

14. Visuals Awful 0.0
15. Content

16. Edge

    Horrid 4.1

    This movie is rough. With rampant drug use, macabre and nonstop violence of a grand scale, frequent use of bad language, certainly adult themes not for children, allusions to intercourse and/or rape, and one very trippy psycho-analytical scene that stopped even me in my tracks for a minute. This film earns its violent “R”. Hell, it may need two of them! Oh, and did i mention that you’ll watch this all with a big ol’ grin on your face?

17. Sex Erotic 3.2

18. Violence Monstrous 4.8

19. Rudeness Nasty 4.3

21. Reality

    Fantasy 4.1

    Despite the fantasy elements of a future overrun by crime where “judges” serve as jury and executioner as well, in massive cities the size of states and dispense gruesome justice…its oddly realistic in many ways. The violence and brutalitynis certainly fantasy, but its also real enough to completely immerse you into its world. If this is the future…this is a pretty natural interpretation of that world. That being said, If this was any more “fantastical” it would feel too much like a silly comic book (ahem, 1995 film!), and if it were too much more realistic, it wouldnt hold the elements of its source material. The film treads the line nearly perfectly.

22. Circumstantial Supernatural 3.2

23. Biological Supernatural 3.4

24. Physical Fantasy 4.1