Judge Dredd

Critics Consensus

Judge Dredd wants to be both a legitimate violent action flick and a parody of one, but director Danny Cannon fails to find the necessary balance to make it work.

17%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 52

30%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 132,495
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Movie Info

This action-filled sci-fi spectacle is set in a grim, futuristic world in which authoritarianism is the only way left to ensure democracy. The tale, based on a popular British comic book character, is set in the 22nd century after most of the Earth has become an uninhabitable desert wasteland. In North America, all of the people live in one of three giant cities. These cities are overpopulated and teetering on the brink of anarchy. Trying to maintain some semblance of order are the judges, lawmen riding air bikes, who mete out swift, and frequently fatal justice. The premiere judge of seething Mega-City, built atop the ruins of New York, is Dredd. His daily crime-busting routine is upset one day when the nefarious Rico breaks out of the high-security Aspen Penal Colony and returns to get revenge on the one who ratted on him; he also wants to make Mega-City an even more violent place. Upon his arrival, Rico immediately begins working to frame Dredd. He succeeds and the judge is imprisoned. Fortunately, the hero escapes and a spectacular and exciting battle between the judge and the evil Rico ensues.

Cast

Sylvester Stallone
as Judge Dredd
Armand Assante
as Rico
Diane Lane
as Judge Hershey
Rob Schneider
as Fergie
Joan Chen
as Ilsa
Jürgen Prochnow
as Judge Griffin
Max von Sydow
as Judge Fargo
Joanna Miles
as McGruder
Balthazar Getty
as Olmeyer
Maurice Roëves
as Warden Miller
Ian Dury
as Geiger
Christopher Adamson
as Mean Machine
Ewen Bremner
as Junior Angel
Peter Marinker
as Judge Esposito
Angus MacInnes
as Judge Silver
Mitchell Ryan
as Hammond
James Remar
as Block Warlord, uncredited
Mattieu Ricard
as Zed Squatter 1
Louise Delamere
as Locker Judge
Phil Smeeton
as Fink Angel
Scott Wilson
as Pa Angel
Steve Toussaint
as Hunter Squad Leader
James Earl Jones
as Narrator
Bradley Savelle
as Chief Judge Hunter
Mark Morghan
as Judge Killed by Robot
Ed Stobart
as Barge Crew Member
Huggy Leaver
as Brutal Prisoner
Alexis Daniel
as Brisco
John Blakey
as Border Guard
Howard Grace
as Pilot
Dig Wayne
as Reggie
Martin McDougal
as Twist
Ashley Artus
as Squatter #1, Squatter No. 1
Christopher Glover
as Squatter #2, Squatter No. 2
Brendan McIvor Fleming
as Squatter #3, Squatter No. 3
Stephen Lord
as Zed Squatter #1, Zed Squatter No. 1
Phil Kingston
as Zed Squatter No. 2, Zed Squatter #2
Ewan Bailey
as Aspen Guard
Stuart Mullen
as Co-pilot
Pat Starr
as Lily Hammond
Adam Henderson
as Fuppie
Chris Adamson
as Mean Machine
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Critic Reviews for Judge Dredd

All Critics (52) | Top Critics (11) | Fresh (9) | Rotten (43)

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Audience Reviews for Judge Dredd

  • Apr 13, 2016
    Why did they include Schneider as a comic relief is still beyond me. Judge Dredd is a horrendous adaptation to the infamous comic strip series, starring Sylvester Stallone as the titular character who is being framed for a crime he didn't commit. The futuristic element was not very well expressed in the film, the action sequences were quite bland. May be enjoyed by fans interested in the comic book genre but others might find it somewhat sub par.
    Sylvester K Super Reviewer
  • Feb 14, 2014
    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. 61% -Gimly
    Gimly M Super Reviewer
  • May 24, 2013
    Terribly acted. The script was mindlessly drafted. There's little of note in this film other than how "m'eh" it was.
    Christian C Super Reviewer
  • Feb 21, 2013
    Blade Runner audiences with ADD would like this derivative and weak scripted sci-fi action flick that tries to too hard to be cool and smart. Even John Wagner says that the Dredd in his fine comic book creation isn't the one you'll see here, especially when Sly takes over. Stick to the 2012 Dredd for real ultraviolent fun.
    Max G Super Reviewer
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