MOVIE REVIEW: Dredd

 

In a futuristic metropolis, an elite group of law enforcement officers called Judges are engaged to be judge, jury, and executioner to the criminals they are sent to apprehend. The best of them, named Dredd, is assigned a rookie, who also happens to be an extremely powerful psychic, on her first day. The two end up locked inside the largest housing building in the city, targets of the most dangerous and vicious drug dealer in business, a former prostitute called Ma-ma. Can they use their mixture of abilities and experience to survive?

This is a 2012 production based on a comic strip, starring Karl Urban (Lord of the Rings and Star Trek) as the main character. Though you never get to see his face (he wears an armored helmet), and he delivers his lines in a rough, grating tone of voice, the performance is stellar. Olivia Thirby (The Darkest Hour) plays the rookie, Anderson, who uses her mental gifts to confuse and control the small army sent to kill her and her partner. Full of action and suspense, this is a great effort by all concerned. Due to intense violence, including some involving children, and a great deal of strong language, this is not recommended for young viewers.