Dredd is extremely confident in its gory execution. Within a few moments it's obvious that this is going to be better than the previous adaptation and its greatest skill lies in telling a story that feels like just another day for Judge Dredd rather than doing an origin story. The fact that this flopped proves we can't have nice things.
It's a real testament to Karl Urban's humility that he's totally fine with spending the whole film under a mask. It's also a testament to how good his grizzled grimace is that that's enough to communicate everything required of him. Olivia Thirlby is a great rookie, her dynamic with Dredd is the strongest aspect when it comes to keeping you invested.
Alex Garland's direction finds something incredibly distinct in the way it visualises the slow mo drug. The higher frame rate makes those scenes so stunning and the action in between those moments is unflinchingly violent so all of it leaves a mark. Paul Leonard-Morgan's score is the final piece of the puzzle, helping to coalesce everything with tonally perfect music.
It's a real testament to Karl Urban's humility that he's totally fine with spending the whole film under a mask. It's also a testament to how good his grizzled grimace is that that's enough to communicate everything required of him. Olivia Thirlby is a great rookie, her dynamic with Dredd is the strongest aspect when it comes to keeping you invested.
Alex Garland's direction finds something incredibly distinct in the way it visualises the slow mo drug. The higher frame rate makes those scenes so stunning and the action in between those moments is unflinchingly violent so all of it leaves a mark. Paul Leonard-Morgan's score is the final piece of the puzzle, helping to coalesce everything with tonally perfect music.