JUDGE DREDD
A film review by Choo Eng Aun
Copyright 1995 Choo Eng Aun
(Wide Screen, Dolby Digital)
Starring : Sylvester Stallone, Armand Assante, Joan Chen, Jurgen Prochnow, Rob Schneider, Diane Lane. Produced by : Andrew Vajna Directed by : Danny Cannon Running Time : 1hr 30mins (approx) A Hollywood Pictures Release
The future for earth is bleak. Our home planet has turned mostly into desert (global warming?) and pollution is worse than anyone could imagine. The harsh conditions has earned Earth the term 'The Cursed Earth.' People no longer live anywhere they wish, all of them cram into Mega Cities (very-very large cities), which brings us to Mega City One, Dredd's very own playground. In Mega Cities, the higher up the building you live, the safer you are, the higher your status. Down on the street, crime and chaos rules. The normal judiciary system is no longer useful in bringing justice to Mega Cities, there is just too much chaos. Instead, police-cum-army-cum-judge enforcers are deployed. Judgement is passed by the arresting judge as soon as wrongdoers are arrested.
Based on the phenomenal British comic series of the same title, JUDGE DREDD showcases lots of dead bodies (as in the comics) and some really impressive action sequences laced with goo-goo-bytes of computer generated special effects. Judge Dredd (Stallone) prowl Mega City One, passing judgement on those he arrests. Meanwhile, a notorious villian, Rico (Assante) escapes from a penal colony, wreaks chaos in Mega City One and also contributes to the tons of bodies already donated by Dredd. The sets are lavish, the computer generated city is breathtaking but the costumes, well...a bit too colourful and clean to be taken seriously.
The plot is typical of most of Hollywood's action films; just about as thin as the air in outer space. I was lucky to have a Judge Dredd comic fan sitting next to me, and he explained nearly all of the jargon and culture that only Dredd fans would know. I actually enjoyed the movie quite a bit. The introduction was a bit corny but the thick action helped erase that negative thought. There is enough action to satisfy action-hungry and entertainment-seeking movie goers but the ending really really does leave a lot to be desired. The script, too, proved too corny at times but hey, so were most of Stallone's previous action flicks.
Stallone is his usual self; minimal dialogue, 'action speaks louder than words.' Assante, though physically less appealing than Stallone, managed to play the psychotic Rico rather well. Apart from the really weak, anti- climactic ending, JUDGE DREDD is a pretty polished action movie. I particularly liked the fast-paced chase sequence around, on top and under the buildings of Mega City One. The ABC War Machine which Rico uses as his bodyguard was really menacing. You'll probably like this movie if you don't mind the ending (highly unlikely) or you're a true blue Stallone or Judge Dredd comic fan.
Action : ****- Drama : *---- Suspense : **--- Total Rating : 6 out of 10
Legend : ***** phenomenal
**** excellent
*** good
** so-so
* huh?
EngAun CHOO ENG AUN EMAIL : ENG20172@LEONIS.NUS.SG
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