Customer Reviews

Judge Dredd

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(22)
3 star:		(13)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

I have to say that I was not familiar with any Judge Dredd comics, games or had had any other contact with the character apart from this movie so I cannot compare the character to other sources. Therefore, coming from someone that did not "know" the Judge prior to the film I have to say that the movie was FANTASTIC!
There are slight hints of Mad Max and Total Recall, so the movie falls into the action/adventure/science fiction type of category, and what a major hit this action-packed movie is!
Sylvester Stallone, Armand Assante, Diane Lane, and Rob Schneider, have truly outdone themselves with their performances, which are outstanding, making this movie one of the best of its kind. The actors' great talent and chemistry clearly shows, thus providing a film that can be watched over and over again. The plot, the setting, the special effects, the battles and the costumes are all wonderful!
In short, I would definitely line up to watch a sequel!

The career of a Hollywood Star goes through various ups and downs. This excellent film came out at a point in Stallone's career when it was simply his turn to get reviewed harshly by the Hollywood community. He was getting older, his career had drifted considerably, and another Sly action picture was simply going to be a very hard sell. It took a much-underserved whipping when it was released.

As I say, that is a real shame, because Judge Dredd was one of the best comic book adaptations to ever make the cross into film. It perfectly captures the 70's/80's British comic book about a futuristic cop who reins supreme, given the power to arrest, judge, and execute wrongdoers in a world gone rampant with crime.

This was a big budget production, and the sets and special effects are magnificent. The story is extremely engaging, and it is packed with great action. The film really doesn't take a misstep throughout.

What makes the film a real treat are the supporting performances. Stallone himself delivers a perfect-pitch job as the Judge, nicely capturing all the stern dedication of the comic book, and as the film progresses, his character is beautifully and even touchingly rounded out. But I find myself remembering the lesser roles, such as Armand Assante as the arch villain, Rico, a man holding extreme power in his madness. When his temper flairs, everyone jumps back. The old veteran, Max Von Sydow, displays a pro's commitment in his portrayal of the aging Chief Justice Fargo, holding on to his power simply through a towering dignity. Diane Lane, Jurgen Prochnow, and Joan Chen are on hand to lend superior support, as well as Rob Schneider, who did a great job in giving the movie the touch of comedy needed to truly capture the original comic book. This film even has the great Scott Wilson on board as Pa Angel, a leader of a criminally mutated family that dwells in the "cursed earth."

Amazon reviews got it completely wrong. Their condescending review was typical of the kinder reviews given when the film was released. There is certainly no need to "lower your expectations" to enjoy this film.

You will do just fine if you come to this picture expecting great things.

--Mykal Banta

Who couldn't like this slick, sleek, happily depraved and utterly self-contented violent romp in the near future? It's got Sly Stallone in a fine, full-bodied role as the fascistic Judge Dredd---and hey, He's the Law! You got a problem with that? You got objections, Perp? He KNEW you'd say that! (sound of Perp being knocked unceremoniously in the head by Judge Dredd's side-arm).

Let me count the ways I love Judge Dredd:

1)It's all Action, all the time---and it Looks so Good! And best of all, it's action done by a competent, experienced crew: Adrian Biddle ("Aliens", "1492", "Thelma & Louise") for cinematography, and set design by Peter Young, who did the look for "Batman" and "Sleepy Hollow".

2)It's got Armand Assante and Jurgen Prochnow as crazed, Machiavellian evil villains (Assante crazed, Prochnow Machiavellian)!

3) It's got veteran uber-actor Max von Sydow as Chief Justice Fargo, and boy the guy looks hip and happening in a trenchcoat with a big super-duper hand cannon!

4) It's got a violent Mega-City where the angry inhabitants don't have backyard barbecues, they have block wars!

5) It's got an angry War Robot designed to control crowds---with extreme prejudice! Oh, it likes to pull peoples' heads off, too.

6) It's got angry unfinished Clones, all of whom are imperfect copies of Assante!

7) Aspen, Colorado is a penal colony! What a great world!

8) It's got starlet action! A villainous Joan Chen in tight leather hotpants! It's got the genetically perfect Diane Lane as the unfortunately named Judge Hershey (I don't know. Don't ask.)!

9) It's got a periodically amusing Rob Schneider and gratuitous Balthazar Getty! It's got a family of inbred religious cannibals who make the family in "Texas Chainsaw Massacre" look like pikers---and the razor-toothed Number 1 Son has what appears to be a minute-timer embedded in his skull!

10) Finally, it's just all around fun: the chase on Lawmasters through the neon heights and aeries of Mega City One has to be seen to be believed, and it is far more enjoyable than anything in the Star Wars prequels. And in addition, it's a pretty fine adaptation of the Judge Dredd graphic novel series.

So get past your need to see 'serious' cinema, sit back, and pop "Judge Dredd" on the hopper. Besides, He's the Law----and failure to appreciate the subtle glories of this film is a Violation, Citizen---Punishment? You don't want to know.

The more I see this film after all the hype has died down, the more it grows on me. This is probably the best thing that Stallone ever did in my opinion. If you ever read the British comic book series you realize that he nailed the essence of the main character. I mean, Judge Dredd is a completely one-dimensional character, and Stallone still managed to bring him to life.

The entire movie, and the original comic book series, was based on the fact that the Judges were incorruptible. These are not just good lawmen; these are walking law books- THEY ARE THE LAW. They have to be, for they are not merely law enforcement officers, they are also judge, jury, and executioner. Only someone raised from birth to live the letter, essence, and spirit of the law could be trusted with this. Certainly, a mere human could not be trusted with such power. That is the fascination of a character like Dredd- he isn't human. Here is a man so completely identified with duty that there is no room for personal feelings. This is essential, for a Judge must be completely impartial and unswayed by personal opinion and feeling. A Judge judges the rich and powerful, and the poor and weak, by absolutely the same standard. That is why you can never write Dredd and the other Judges off as fascists- it is equal judgment for all in the name of the public good, of public survival, in an apocalyptic Cursed Earth. And God save the Judge that breaks his oath....

Max Von Sydow was also especially good as Dredd's mentor. I mean, if they could get an actor of his quality interested in this project then you know that he also saw something more to it. Playing off Stallone you actually see the one bit of humanity in the character. The scene where Sydow takes the last walk to bring judgment to the unjudged still chokes me up.

Sure, there is plenty of action and special effects here- good ones. They also managed stay fairly close to the details and characters of the original stories. But, I've slowly come to see that there really is more to it. Not bad for a project that originated from a comic book.

Sylvester Stallone really knows how to be campy. All throughout "Judge Dredd," he never seems to take the part seriously and it's all for the better. The film wouldn't work if Stallone had tried to be convincing. Instead, he stands macho and strong, overacting and chewing scenery while still keeping his dignity. Way to go, Stallone! The plot takes place in the future, where Judges are now city police and crime, of course, does not pay. The best of the judges, Dredd, has just been framed for murder and now a former judge threatens to take over the world unless Dredd can stop him. It's a very basic premise, stealing from the likes of "Robocop" and others, but it works surprisingly well. The special effects are mostly pretty good if not dated by today's standards. Overall, the film packs in punch and fun and delivers a solid 90 minutes.

Released in June/95 Judge Dredd starring Sylvester Stallone as the street judge of the future,did a credible job in his role,but the film vacillates between its comic roots and taking its roots much too seriously.It is a fine line,I must admit,but if the film had taken a stronger lean one way or the other I think it would have scored a much higher rating.That is to say though it is NOT a bad movie as it still stands up very well today.One just has to take the film for what it is and enjoy it;and I still do.
The plot involves Earth in the 3rd millennium and the world population is now huddled into mega cities,while all land in between is known as the "cursed earth" and is for the most part barren.The law in the cities has gone from police alone to a type of police/judge,who arrest,try,judge and execute their own decisions right on the spot.Judge Dredd is well known and he and two other judges become embroiled in a street battle.Dredd takes control and ends up executing all participants,with one judge losing his life in the fight.The remaining judge asks the solitary Dredd if he ever had any friends and he replies only one;and he judged him.
One day Dredd is arrested for murder.The guns each judge carry are DNA encoded weapons that work only for that specific judge,as are the bullets fired,which all say they are his and that he did the killing.It is a massive frame up which no one at first can get a handle on.Chief Judge Fargo(Max Von Sydow) is Dredds friend and mentor and to spare Dredds life he does the "walk" into the cursed earth;the last act of a retiring judge,taking the law where there is none.Dredd later is sent on a transport to a penal colony but it crashes on its way.The perpetrators of the crash are quickly dispatched by Dredd and the Chief Judge Fargo shows up on the scene only to be killed by one of the perps. Before he dies he tells Dredd the real reason he let him live.Dredd and a brother were specially bred years before.Dredd became good and his brother became bad.The man Dredd once considered his only friend and that he judged,was his own brother.
His brother Rico(Armand Assante) has been alive all this time in a special prison cell.He breaks out with the help of another Chief Judge Griffin(Jurgen Prochnow)who wants him to create chaos so he can make a myriad of clones to do his bidding.Rico becomes very bold and he subs his DNA for the clones and he has Judge Griffin killed.Dredd meanwhile has come back to the city and hunts his brother down.In a fight to the finish Rico and Dredd struggle at the top of the Statue of Liberty and Dredd sends his brother to his death into the city below(the statue had been moved from the island to the inner city).
Dredd is exonerated and is offered the post of a Chief judge.He declines telling everyone he is a street judge,first and foremost.The film ends as Dredd sits atop his motorbike looking over the city he works in.
The film moves along quite well and there are a plethora of good actors/acting throughout to make it that much better and more appealing;Max Von Sydow,Jurgen Prochnow nicely play the good judge,bad judge roles,Diane Lane is good as Dredds possible love interest as Judge Hershey,Armand Assante plays a meanly delicious Rico and comedian Rob Schneider pops in to play some laughs against Dredds stone faced demeanor.The S/FX for the mid 90s is also very good and also hold up nicely.Listen for James Earl Jones as the opening narrator.
Technically the film has been transferred well into its original 2:35:1 a/r and is clear and crisp.The trailer is the only extra here.
Bringing the comic series to life Stallone does a good turn in the title role and he has along alot of good company to help him accomplish that.The film vacillates between the comic side and the more serious and sometimes as a result loses its way,but it is still an enjoyable romp after all these years.Recommended.

Based on the DC Comic; this film adaptation of Judge Dredd doesn't fully display the heart of the comic it is adapted from, but on it's own it's mindless fun with none other than Sylvester Stallone in the title role. Stallone is as stoic as ever for the first half of the film, and seems to have a lot of fun in his role, while Armand Assante chews the scenery as Dredd's nemesis Rico, while a pre-Unfaithful Diane Lane puts on a good show as well. It's completely mindless; but thanks to some nicely assembled action scenes, impressive special effects, and a great tightly knit cast (including Rob Schneider, Max Von Sydow, Jurgen Prochnow, Joan Chen, and Balthazar Getty), Judge Dredd is better than it is reputed to be; and with the recent wave of comic licensed films to hit theaters, I find it better than The Hulk.

I have always known that Slyvester Stallone had limitations as an actor, but I have to admit I was rather surprised that he could not play Arnold Schwarzenegger. Listen to the dialogue when the title character in "Judge Dredd" shows up on the scene and I think it is pretty clear that lines like "I am the law" were written for Ah-nold to growl rather than Sly. I have no evidence to support such a conclusion, like we do for the part of the Wizard in ï¿The Wizard of Ozï¿ being written for W.C. Fields, but I remain convinced that Schwarzenegger would have been better suited to carrying off the opening scene.

ï¿Judge Dreddï¿ is based on a British comic book of a dystopian future where police officers have become ï¿judgesï¿ who are judge, jury and executioner rolled into one. As such it was part of the British disposition towards predicting a fascist future found in works from George Orwellï¿s classic novel ï¿1984ï¿ to Alan Moore and David Lloyd comic book mini-series ï¿V for Vendetta.ï¿ For the most part the ï¿Judge Dreddï¿ comics were highlighted by the distinctive artwork of Brian Bolland more than anything else.

The film presents a future that is so violent, with Megacities engaged in constant battles called Block Wars, that even the Judges, with their authority and power to summarily execute criminals, are considered to be unable to handling the problem. Judge Griffin (JÃrgen Prochnow) wants to expand the authority of the Judges so that they can execute more criminals for lesser crimes and in a film like this you know such goals are not idle ideological discourse. There is a conspiracy at work and suddenly Dredd (Stalone) is arrested and convicted for a crime that he did not commit. The deed was perpetrated by Rico (Armand Assante), a former Judge who was sent to prison by Dredd. But, as with all such movie conspiracies, there is much more to the plot than Dredd knows, involving even his father figure, Chief Justice Fargo (Max won Sydow).

Judge Dredd has two decidedly different sidekicks in this film, Judge Hershey (Diane Lane), who tries to defend him in court, and career petty criminal Herman Ferguson (Rob Schneider), who ends up with him on the street trying to stay alive and figure out the conspiracy. They have relatively little to do in the film besides spout dialogue intended to provide exposition, comic relief, and chip away at Dreddï¿s gruff exterior to eventually find a spark of humanity. It is a sad film that wastes the talents of both Diane Lane and Rob Schneider. ï¿Judge Dreddï¿ works best during its action sequences, when the title character is too busy to speak, because sooner or later he utters the filmï¿s wretched punch line, ï¿I knew youï¿d say that,ï¿ and you have to roll your eyes and wait for the next action sequence to distract you.

In its defense, it should be pointed out that there is a lot of action in the film, which never lets up long enough for you to make the conscious effort to stop watching. The conspiracy is predictable enough that when characters sketch out the details in-between Dredd's rampages it is enough to connect the dots. Just do not try and figure out the filmï¿s ideological position on law and order issues in the real world.

Sylvester Stallone is Dredd - one of an elite force of super-soldiers who assume the roles of judge, jury and (not infrequently) executioner in the futuristic megalopolis of Mega-City. With most of Earth reduced to a barren and virtually uninhabitable desert (called "The Cursed Earth"), those who wish to survive squeeze themselves into huge but cramped "Megacities" like the one policed by Dredd. Though full of flying cars and other futurama, Megacity's overpopulation problem has turned it into an urban hell, forcing the city's leaders to take drastic steps. Whether looking to expand capital punishment to include "lesser crimes" or to re-start a shadowy program called Janus, the most bellicose of the city's leaders, Griffin (played by Jurgen Prochnow) is willing to overcome any obstacle - the first being Dredd himself. Griffin hooks up with Rico (Armand Assante), a former justice who was exiled to a nasty, high-security prison in Aspen when he turned vigilante. Sprung, Rico returns to Megacity and frames Dredd for the murder of an exploitive Geraldo-like TV reporter (judges are equipped with personalized weapons that imprint a record of their DNA on every round fired). With Dredd out of the way, Rico and Griffin touch off a crime-wave - one Griffin is sure to bend the council to his plans. Little does he know that Rico has plans of his own. Both suffer a shock when Dredd manages to escape enroute to Aspen, and re-enters the city.

Unfortunately, unlike all of the character in this flick, the script itself has no plans of its own, and the story never arises from being a pastiche of countless action movies (including "Demolition Man" in which Stallone was a lot more fun). Though it's got great visuals, the plot meanders around, never coming together before the explosions kick off. Besides, it takes more than CGI to astound us now. Rob Schneider plays the comic relief and the lovely Diane Lane plays the anonymous love interest. Armand Assante tries to heat things up as Rico, but his over-the-top delivery just reminds us how much more fun we had watching "Demolition Man". This flick would have been much more fun if it took itself a bit less seriously.

I at first made the mistake of taking this movie seriously. That didn't work, not at all. So I switched gears to "parody." Ah, now we're havin' fun! While watching it I wondered, "How could you parody this movie?" Answer: you can't. That to me is the first sign the movie is consciously a joke. And that makes it great fun. "I am duh law!" indeed. Hilarious film. Just turn your brain off and enjoy.