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Dredd (2012)
Dir. Pete Travis
Starring: Karl Urban, Olivia Thirlby, Lena Headly
Dredd (2012)
Dir. Pete Travis
Starring: Karl Urban, Olivia Thirlby, Lena Headly
Fans of Rebellion's 2000 AD comic series who were disappointed with the 1995 Judge Dredd movie can now rest easy knowing that the characters and world they fell in love with have finally been appropriately adapted to the big screen. Even if you're unfamiliar with the previous attempt or with the comic series in general, Pete Travis' 2012 film Dredd offers a beautifully violent, action-packed movie bursting with style that will satisfy anyone nostalgic for the R-rated action films of the 80s.
Dredd is a film that managed to legitimize two trends that I've absolutely hated about this past decade in cinema: the frequent use of slow motion, and the resurgence of 3D movies. It is actually one of a very small number of films that I wish could occasionally get thrown back into theatres because audiences deserve the full IMAX 3D experience. The visuals in this movie are simply breathtaking, with the 3D being used to enhance the atmosphere and provide an added perception of depth to the enormous 200 storey structure within which a majority of the film is set.
Whenever a character in the movie uses Slo-Mo, a new drug that causes the user to experience time at a fraction of its normal rate, we are treated to an absolutely gorgeous dream-like state that mimics what the user is feeling. The very first time this effect is used, it borders on outstaying it's welcome, but subsequent uses are much better, especially when when they are intercut with shots running at regular speed featuring characters not experiencing the effects of the drug.
Since Dredd is the first movie I have listed on my profile's favourites tab, my praise for this movie shouldn't really come as a shock. But oddly I was never really excited to see this film leading up to its release, mostly due to a lack of appropriate advertising that I'm sure hurt the film's box office numbers. Luckily the film has gained an amazing cult following that have been supporting the film's Home Video sales, which have raised the chances of this film getting a sequel from 0% after it's theatrical performance, to “it's possible, but it won't be easy”.
Do you want a violent action movie that's light on story but high on style?
Then watch this movie, then go support it by buying the DVD.
Dredd is a film that managed to legitimize two trends that I've absolutely hated about this past decade in cinema: the frequent use of slow motion, and the resurgence of 3D movies. It is actually one of a very small number of films that I wish could occasionally get thrown back into theatres because audiences deserve the full IMAX 3D experience. The visuals in this movie are simply breathtaking, with the 3D being used to enhance the atmosphere and provide an added perception of depth to the enormous 200 storey structure within which a majority of the film is set.
Whenever a character in the movie uses Slo-Mo, a new drug that causes the user to experience time at a fraction of its normal rate, we are treated to an absolutely gorgeous dream-like state that mimics what the user is feeling. The very first time this effect is used, it borders on outstaying it's welcome, but subsequent uses are much better, especially when when they are intercut with shots running at regular speed featuring characters not experiencing the effects of the drug.
Since Dredd is the first movie I have listed on my profile's favourites tab, my praise for this movie shouldn't really come as a shock. But oddly I was never really excited to see this film leading up to its release, mostly due to a lack of appropriate advertising that I'm sure hurt the film's box office numbers. Luckily the film has gained an amazing cult following that have been supporting the film's Home Video sales, which have raised the chances of this film getting a sequel from 0% after it's theatrical performance, to “it's possible, but it won't be easy”.
Do you want a violent action movie that's light on story but high on style?
Then watch this movie, then go support it by buying the DVD.