Actors: Karl Urban, Olivia Thirlby, Lena Headey
Directors: Pete Travis
Rated: R (Restricted)
Studio: Lionsgate
Release Date: January 8, 2013
Run Time: 95 minutes
Film: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Extras: 3.5 out of 5 stars
The character of Judge Dredd made his first appearance in 2000 AD #2 back in March of 1977. After the disappointing attempt to bring to the big-screen, though cult favorite, back in 1995 with Sylvester Stallone in “Judge Dredd”, “Dredd” is the latest attempt and is adapted by Alex Garland from John Wagner and Carlos Ezquerra’s legendary comic book and filmed in stunning 3-D. This film is the way that this comic book character should be portrayed. Karl Urban (“Star Trek”, “The Chronicle of Riddick”) really scores with this role, even while keeping his helmet on! Lena Headey (HBO’s “Game Of Thrones”) plays a good baddie as Ma-Ma. Overall the film is a blast to watch. It is action packed, gritty, gory and the way that Judge Dredd should be. I highly recommend checking this out and be sure to watch in 3D if possible.
Official Synopsis: The future America is an irradiated wasteland. On its east coast, running from Boston to Washington D.C., lies Mega City One – a vast, violent metropolis where criminals rule the chaotic streets. The only force of order lies with the urban cops called “Judges” who possess the combined powers of judge, jury and instant executioner. Known and feared throughout the city, Dredd (Urban) is the ultimate Judge, challenged with ridding the city of its latest scourge, a dangerous drug called “Slo-Mo,” and the sadistic crime boss Ma-Ma (Headey) who is using it to take over the city.
Lionsgate is given “Dredd” a very impressive release as it explodes onto 3D Blu-ray. The releases includes the 3D and the standard 2D version of the film on one disc plus Digital Copy and digital Ultraviolet code. The film looks absolutely stunning with its 1080p High Definition 16×9 Widescreen (2.40:1) transfer. This works perfectly with the film’s very sharp visual effects sequences and 3D. The film was shot in 3D using RED MX, SI2K and Phantom Flex high-speed cameras. The film has great depth and really looks amazing on Blu-ray. The star of the release is easily the Blu-ray’s audio track. “Dredd” comes packed with an insane 7.1 DTS-HD Master Audio that is optimized for 11.1 Neo X. This is becoming a trend with Lionsgate releases after “The Expendables 2“. I was blown away with this track and as was my surround sound.
The special features are impressive as well on this release. They are made up with six production-based featurettes. The first is “Mega-City Masters”: 35 Years of Judge Dredd”, which looks into the legacy of this amazing action hero. “Day of Chaos: The Visual Effects of Dredd 3D” focuses on the film very sharp and stylized visual effects. “Dredd” is a focus on the man that we know as “the law”. “Dredd’s Gear” is a look into all the super-cool goodies taht “Dredd” packs to kick some major ass! “The 3rd Dimension” is a look of introducing this series with the use of 3D. The last featurettes is “Welcome to Peachtrees”, which is a location-based feature on where 95% of the filming takes place in. Rounding out the fantastic special features is a “Dredd Motion Comic Prequel”, which is a nice lead-in to this film.
