No need to 'Dredd' this one!

Director: Pete Travis

Cinematography: Anthony Dod Mantle

Based on: Judge Dredd byJohn Wanger, Carlos Ezquerra

Starring: Karl Urban, Olivia Thirlby, Wood Harris, Lena Headey

Run time: 95 minutes

Music: Paul Leonard Morgan

Release Date: 7th July 2012

PLOT

The movie is set in a post apocalyptic future where most of the world has now turned into a nuclear wasteland and most of the population now resides in mega-cities. With the explosion in crime rates, the traditional judicial system is no longer viable nor functional. Justice is now provided by 'Judges' who as the movie's tagline aptly says are the Judge, Jury and Executioners. In other words, let the gore-fest begin!

The story revolves around veteran Judge 'Dredd', an anti-character--who does not change or learn and his greenhorn partner as they're trapped inside drug-lord Ma-Ma's territory and must now find a way out. What follows is just 65 minutes of unadulterated splattering of blood and guts.

WHAT I LIKED ABOUT THE MOVIE :

1. The movie has no pretensions

lesser than three ! lesser than three! lesser than three!
(for those of you who didn't get it,  that's < 3)

about itself. It's an action flick and it offers you just that. No complex plot with multiple story lines, no grand schemes and thankfully no food for thought . It's just 95 minutes stuffed to the brim with action and bad-freaking-ass!

2. Judging from the trailer (no pun intended), I expected it to be an all brawn and no brain kind of movie, which to an extent was true but the movie nonetheless does manage to keep you engaged throughout and to my relief does not have any, "Wait a minute! that does not make sense" moments. 

3. Olivia Thirbly.  I think the picture says it all.

4. Some of the scenes in the movie are pretty funny and it does manage to win a few laughs.

WHAT I LOVED ABOUT THE MOVIE :

1. The cinematography

The drug induced slow motion scenes in the movie alone make it a worth watch. Never before has a guy getting shot in the head been made to look this aesthetically beautiful. Cinematographer Anthony Dod Mantle has to be credited with some brilliant and innovative work behind the camera.

2. The soundtrack

A movie with so much ass kicking involved needs a soundtrack that supports it and keeps the adrenaline going and man-oh-man does this movie have an epic background score. Paul Leonard Morgan manages to create something that in his own words is, ' a cross between a modern dance track and evocative soundscapes'. Now, I have no clue what that's supposed to mean but I do love the music in the movie.

WHAT I HAVE MY RESERVATIONS ABOUT :

1. The violence in the movie does become overwhelming and excessive. Towards the end, I tended to close my eyes before a kill and am not really sure what EXACTLY happens to ma-ma. Maybe you can tell me after you've seen the movie.

2. The acting performance by Karl Urban is mediocre and there is nothing standout about his performance. The perennial frown and enigmatic guise does seem forced at times.

Yep! that's how law officials in the future are going to dress up.

3. That helmet is just ridiculous.In noway does this shit have any functionality! That being said, this was just an after-thought and does not really distract you during the movie.

Hopefully, I have now said enough to make you go watch the movie. Also, the fact that you're still reading this review says a lot about how bored you are. So go ahead and watch 'Dredd', you certainly will not regret it.