Cast
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Sylvester Stallone
as Judge Joseph Dredd
Diane Lane
as Judge Hershey
Armand Assante
as Rico
Rob Schneider
as Herman 'Fergee' Ferguson
Jürgen Prochnow
as Judge Griffin
Max von Sydow
as Chief Justice Fargo
Christopher Adamson
as Mean Machine
Joanna Miles
as Judge Evelyn McGruder
Joan Chen
as Dr. Ilsa Hayden
Balthazar Getty
as Cadet Nathan Olmeyer
Maurice Roëves
as Warden Miller
Ian Dury
as Geiger
Ewen Bremner
as Junior Angel
Peter Marinker
as Judge Carlos Esposito
Martin McDougall
as Twist
Crew
Director
- Danny Cannon
Producer
- Charles Lippincott
- Beau Marks
- Tony Munafo
- Susan Nicoletti
Reviews
Gimly
The story is the weak link in what is otherwise a marvellously fun chain. Unfortunately, when it comes to the film industry, the plot-link is kind of the most important one, so I can't really call Judge Dredd a success. And although the general premise is strong, this is not to the credit of the movie, seeing as it sources its material from the comic books of the same name, and 2000 AD.
Sylvester Stallone (the titular Dredd) and Rob Schneider (his offsider) are perhaps poor casting options. But they aren't so terrible as to make Judge Dredd unwatchable, especially seeing as there are a quite a few good choices to balance this out.
Despite being made in '95, it shares that intrinsically 1980's vision of a dystopian future, where all the buildings are black, all the signs are neon, and all the residents are androgynous punks and goths. Which to be honest I'm a huge sucker for, so this earns Judge Dredd some points (though again, not for originality).
It's perhaps not the sort of description you'd expect of a violence-heavy, guilty-pleasure dodgy sci-fi, but Judge Dredd is just so cute! The ABC Warrior I have a particular soft spot for, but even overall, the piece is enjoyable to not take seriously (though taking it seriously is probably impossible).
Yes it's true that Judge Dredd is enjoyable in a laughing at it kind of way rather than a laughing with it one, but that's still enjoyable in my books.
51%
-Gimly
Mar 19, 2018
JPV852
I AM... THE LAW!
May 13, 2022
Thematic Analysis
This high-octane Science Fiction/Action film balances spectacular sequences with character-driven moments. Unlike many films in the genre, Judge Dredd distinguishes itself through a unique visual style and creative action choreography.
Director Danny Cannon brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to pacing and visual storytelling creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.
Released in 1995, the film exists within a cultural context that now offers viewers historical perspective on the social issues of that era. Its reception demonstrates the diverse reactions to its artistic choices and its place in cinema history.
Did You Know?
- The production of Judge Dredd took approximately 24 months from pre-production to final cut.
- With a budget of $90.0 million, the film proved to be a financial success, earning back its investment and more.
- The final cut of the film runs for 96 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 152 minutes long.
- The screenplay went through 13 major revisions before the final shooting script was approved.
- Some visual effects sequences took up to 4 months to complete.
- The director insisted on using practical effects whenever possible, reserving CGI for only the most necessary scenes.
Historical Context
- In 1995, when this film was released:
- Digital technology was transforming the entertainment industry.
- The internet was beginning to transform communication and information access.
- Independent cinema was growing in influence, challenging the dominance of major studios.
How This Film Stands Out
While Judge Dredd shares thematic elements with other films in its genre, it distinguishes itself through its unique approach to storytelling, visual style, and character development.
Unlike Watchmen, which focuses more on action than character development, Judge Dredd subverts genre expectations by exploring its themes with greater nuance.
While films like Healin' Good♥Precure: GoGo! Big Transformation! The Town of Dreams and Dragonball Evolution explore similar territory, Judge Dredd stands apart through its deeper exploration of its central themes and more complex characterization.
This film's unique contribution to cinema lies in its bold artistic choices and willingness to challenge viewer expectations, making it a valuable addition to its genre.
Details
- Release Date: June 30, 1995
- Runtime: 1h 36m
- Budget: $90,000,000
- Revenue: $113,493,481
Where to Watch
