Solid Snake

Yeah, the title for the film really really hits hard and loud. I just saw that and thought, "....ok. Time to live up to that excessiveness..." And it did..in goddamn spades.

Why So Blu?

Fuck, I'm really tempted to write up a theatrical review just to spread the word even more. Right now TDKR is my favorite film of the year and Dredd is gnawing at me for 2nd place.

Draven

Saw it last night in 3D. Only 5 other people in theater.

I thought it was great. Minimal setup, no romantic interest, no comedic relief, just a brutal fight through bad guys.

I loved how messy the combat was. It wasn't all shots to the forehead or legs. Sometimes it was through one cheek and out the other. Just putting a bullet in someone was the goal.

Loved Urban as Dredd. Though I don't think there are many actors who'd be willing to cover their face for the entire movie, but that's the character and I appreciate that. They did a good job answering any questions I might have (like why Anderson doesn't have her helmet on) and the psychic stuff was handled really well too. I loved the interrogation scene.

The Slow-Mo stuff looked pretty awesome and they didn't shy away from any violence.

Big thumbs up. Maybe it'll find more success on home video.

ytrez

I saw Dredd (non-3D) on Sunday afternoon and there was only about 20 to 30 people in the theater. 5 people left early after various scenes of violence.

While I thought it was a generally good film, I felt it lacked the sense of fun that makes good action films great. I loved that Urban didn't take his helmet off at any point and he pulled off the bad ass better than I expected. I wish it had done better and was surprised that it didn't given the crap that was ahead of it (Resident Evil 32 or whatever number they're up to, really?)

RichC2

That's good, my problem with The Raid were two things - the second the action stopped the movie became tremendously boring -- almost had to watch it like porn with your finger on the FF button. And 2) the action does become numbing after awhile.

Patman

My 2-word review for Dredd: Uncompromising Justice

"Dredd" is a pretty straight-on take on the source material from the British comic anthology titled "2000 AD" from the late 1970s. In a world in the future were Mega-City is the only place to live on Earth, it's overpopulated and over-run by crime. The Judges are literally police, judge, jury and executioner to dispense justice in Mega-City, and face all sorts of dangers on a daily basis. Judge Dredd is a dedicated Judge, always looking to deal with crime pursuant to his charge as Judge. You never see his full face, just the nose/mouth/jaw area. Karl Urban plays Dredd really straight.

"Dredd"'s plot could almost be called "Dredd: Training Day" because Dredd is directed to evaluate a new Judge, a marginal female candidate named Anderson (Olivia Thirlby), with some extra abilties that come in handy when dealing with criminals. Their first day is a doozy, and that's pretty much what the film is about.

Unlike films that use extreme slow-motion just to show off extreme violence, there's a purpose in using it in "Dredd", so kudos for that. And, yes, the violence is pretty gory at times even for an R-rated film, and it's not a film you want to take a small child to see.

For playing it straight and close to the vest, I give "Dredd" 3 stars, or a grade of B.

Giles

I'm glad you stated this and I'm not the only one who thought 'The Raid' was overrated. I thought the barrage of violence became stale as well.

Draven

It's interesting to hear others say that as well.

It doesn't make sense, but I have an easier time believing someone is capable of five 2-minute-long fights than one 10-minute long fight. It was getting a little unbelievable toward the end of The Raid, especially the big fight toward the end.

Spoiler for those who have seen it:

Giles

I just came back from a matinee, and I have to say I thought the 3D was simply stunning - from mist, water, smoke, flying blood and glass the 3D was used so effectively that it really brought the action to amazing dramatic heights. In one instance where a bullet enters and exits a guys cheek, the screen's aspect ratio diminishes slightly so that the blood extends into the black border, you not only get the illusion of flying grue, but the filmmakers break the fourth wall and let the blood extend beyond the actual borders of the film - very clever.

I like the fact that this was a very meat and potatoes action film, simple plot and the obligatory barrage/violence that pummels the viewer with a highly stylized visual structure and equally creative 5.1 soundmix.

The violence reminded me of 'Robocop 2' where the violence is mean and gritty and any one could and will be mowed down.

recommended!

Supermallet

I noticed that shot as well (where the aspect ratio seems to change). I think what they actually did was place the camera slightly behind the couch they're sitting on, letting the couch become the horizon line, and having the blood extend beyond it. If you check the top, that element of the aspect ratio hasn't changed.

Giles

oh I hadn't thought of that, but with the whole sliver of the bottom of the screen in black it gave the splashing blood like it was going to spray into the front row of the theater.

Solid Snake

awww..I thought they messed w/ the ratio. That seemed a lot cooler. Thanks, Superfuckingmallet. Thanks for ruining the fun.

Supermallet

Yes, I'm positive that was the intention, but they used an existing object in the frame to suggest it instead of arbitrarily changing the aspect ratio, IIRC.

The original cut had an aspect ratio change. I recommended they use the couch instead. When they asked why, I said it would severely piss off this homeless Mexican I know.

Solid Snake

Goddamn you to hell, sir!

Giles

speaking of the homeless...

I thought the scene had me howling with laughter.

Supermallet

Yeah, I liked that too. I also liked Dredd dispensing justice on the fly like that, very true to the comic.

Baron Of Hell

Just seen this movie in 2D and thought it was great. Kind of want to go see it again. I haven't read that many Dredd books but I felt they captured the vibe of the comics.

bryce0lynch

I think I'm going to go see it again tonight also. I can't remember the last time I ever saw a movie twice in the theaters. Maybe in 3d this time since I saw it in 2d the first time.

*) This version of MC1 is not as day-glo as the comics or the first movie. The grittier feel also lended itself to a more near-future vibe that I dug. This is no super-hero or sci-fi action movie.

*) Just a guy doing his job on Tuesday. A nice change that also contributes to the grittier feel.

*) Excellent acting and writing. Dredd tends to talk in one-liners and sound bites. How do you write for a character like that? That has to be a HUGE challenge. The dialog seemed a bit forced in the first few minutes but then it seemed pretty natural after that, even though it was still essentially sound bites from Dredd. Very good writing and acting. Dredds 'I am the Law' was working in perfectly and fit very naturally.

*) The drug helped convey the comic feel by allowing certain scenes to be framed as comic panels. Very clever.

*) Loved the scene right after the gattling assault, where MaMa sees the outline of Dredd throwing the guy off the balcony. He's a bad ass baby! And great acting by MaMa also.

*) Crap, I forgot. I ultra-violent satire. Some people don't get that part of the comics but I though they did a decent job with the movie if you knew that was the Dredd vibe. I'm not sure it communicated well though for people who didn't know about the satire. The violence, and Dredds reaction to it, is social commentary from the early eighties. Too bad we're all desensitized now ... looks like we're all al little more MC1 now.

*) Fatties!

Pizza

Saw it this afternoon. I was the only person in the theater so I got my own screening. Too bad it's doing so poorly.

bluetoast

I didn't know much about the movie save for the trailers, and saw just a bit of the Stallone adaptation. All I remember is the part about recycled food.

But I saw this in 3D tonight and really enjoyed it. Great job on the violence and the slo-mo, and I liked all the leads.

Was kind of weird that the prisoner didn't say one single word or even have any type of audible reaction amidst all that gunfire for 15 minutes, but then started talking to Anderson when they were alone.

After it was done, I'm thinking, yeah I would definitely see a sequel. Then I saw the numbers required for that and well...

Why So Blu?

Seeing it tomorrow night with another group of people. My 3rd, their 1st. Can't wait! I like Dredd more than The Avengers.

bluetoast

I haven't seen The Raid which people say this is similar to...will have to catch that soon. This movie kind of reminded me of Lockout in a way, mainly in the sense that it's a shootout/escape from an enclosed location.

Why So Blu?

It's The Raid meets Die Hard.

RocShemp

Yeah, count me among the minority that disliked The Raid. I actually felt bored throughout the movie.

And on top of that It was ridiculous.

Giles

the funny thing is that in both times I saw the movie, in the theater and while viewing the unrated home video release is that I fell asleep on it - not a good thing in my book - the action set pieces get so repetitive and very un-engaging - as well as the main characters who were so one dimensional. I think the filmmaker's needed to watch a John Woo film, like 'Hardboiled' and see how a great action movie is structured.

I'm suddenly in the mood to resee 'Dredd' again either today or tomorrow - definitely getting the 3D bluray.