DREDD

Based on Britain’s legendary Judge Dredd comic strip, Dredd is a hard-boiled albeit derivative sci-fi actioner starring Karl Urban (Star Trek) as the eponymous character – a ruthless law enforcer operating in the vast dystopian metropolis of Mega-City One. While investigating a triple-homicide, Dredd and his psychic protégé (Olivia Thrilby) are trapped in a monolithic slum by its chief resident Ma-Ma (Lena Headey), a sadistic crime lord involved in the production of the perception-altering narcotic, ‘Slow-Mo’. Sure, it has the exact same plot as The Raid (Gareth Evans’ wonderfully unhinged martial arts flick – if you haven’t seen it, see it!) but Judge Dredd aficionados will relish the film’s over-the-top violence, grimy cyberpunk aesthetic and adherence to comic-book lore. Vitally, Urban nails his character’s fearsome and dogged persona. Visage partially concealed by a helmet, mouth bent in a perpetual scowl – Urban’s enigmatic future cop might just be cinema’s coolest fascist since ‘Dirty’ Harry Callahan. Also, props to Thrilby who tempers naivety with grit, and Headey who delivers casual menace. It’s not high-art, but its a blast. (JH) ***