Big budget, major studio adaptation of a beloved cult sci-fi comic book takes place in a Dystopian future, where populations are crowded into massive "Mega Cities" and the main form of law enforcement consists of "Judges" - bike riding officers who are empowered to act as judge, jury, *and* executioner, all in one. The most feared and legendary of them all is Judge Joseph Dredd (Sly Stallone), who ends up framed for the murder of a crusading reporter (top character actor Mitchell Ryan). Dredd is able to escape transport to prison, uniting with a goofy low rent criminal named Fergie (Rob Schneider) and heading for an inevitable confrontation with a megalomaniac named Rico (Armand Assante, hamming it up like there's no tomorrow).It's understandable that purists will take some exception to this adaptation and greatly prefer the 2012 feature film version (starring Karl Urban as Dredd). But the 1995 "Judge Dredd" does attempt to give people their money's worth. There's lots of hard-edged action, a non-stop assortment of razzle-dazzle futuristic images (utilizing what was then cutting-edge CGI), an ominous music score by Alan Silvestri, some entertaining characters, and great costumes. The plot is nothing special, but is not hard to follow, as it centers on a conspiracy where a ruling Council tried to play God, and ended up with a mess on their hands.Sly doesn't have to stretch himself here, getting to play a rough and tough and VERY stoic man of action who thinks that having emotions is key to getting a person killed. Adding the humanity is lovely Diane Lane as a fellow Judge who proves to be completely loyal. Schneiders' comedy relief may be a matter of personal taste; although not generally appreciated, this viewer found him to be at least mildly funny and not unlikeable.The excellent supporting cast includes such luminaries as Max von Sydow, Jurgen Prochnow, Joan Chen (who's under-utilized), and Joanna Miles, with ever-wonderful von Sydow coming off the best. Other familiar faces like Ewen Bremner and Angus MacInnes turn up. Making uncredited contributions are James Earl Jones (who reads the opening narration), James Remar (as a block warlord), and 'The Walking Dead's' Scott Wilson as Pa Angel. (And that's one thing that this viewer did appreciate about this film version: the presence of the desert-dwelling, degenerate Angel family.)Overall, colourful entertainment that may indeed play like a video game, but it's certainly never boring.Six out of 10.

(Flash Review)The execution of this movie felt more appropriate mid-80's than mid- 90's. I expected more from it. First off, those costumes. Really?! Judge Dredd's costume looked very flimsy and weak; like an obvious prop. That led me to pick apart other parts of the movie. Such as the futuristic vehicles and their tacked on accoutrements. Never looking as if they were from their own world but yanked from reality. The comedic one-liners were so bad. All blatantly related to being a judge or the legal system. Something the writers quickly came up with one night after a few cocktails. I grimaced more than chuckled and each one followed a dialog pause so each one was telegraphed. Onto the plot and I'll admit I have no idea this was a comic book until the movie started. The Earth has become a desert and people live within crime-ridden, walled cities with a police force called The Judges. They are allowed to stop criminals as well as judge their crime and punishment at the scene. Of course there is a battle for power and shenanigans are pulled that effect Judge Dredd's reputation. Will he overcome and will the truth be uncovered? Overall, the was a lot of popcorn action and bad dialog but it was brainless amusement nonetheless. The best part about watching it was getting to clear a movie out of my streaming queue that I had light interest in seeing after 20+ years since its release.

I am a big fan of Sylvester Stallone ,however I have no issue saying that this film is very good ,the acting, the style of the mega-city and as for faith- fullness in the comic let's leave it at that. Thsi film could been at least decent ,but the thought to make it such a loud any cliché action film was beyond fluid and down right baffling. As for Stallone in the lead role... well he was and still is a good action star ,but in this film he is just a over the top policeman and not the iconic antihero we all know and love. His portrait makes difficult for me to take him serious ,with his corny manners. As for the plot well it is a interesting thought to use maybe the most famous story arc of the Judge, but though they hit all the needed points , the tension and the way is done cuts out every sense of suspense and shock. Over all this film is a good example of a comic-book film of the nineties, when big studios just learned how big is the comic audience and try to capitalize on the success of 1989 Batman, with out first figuring out what made it so good or what made the comic so beloved and of course which characters are the truly iconic like Batman, Wonder Woman ,Spiderman and not Spawn or Steel.

Stallone is one hell of a unique actors around. He was type cast as the action hero, because he doesn't have much of acting range. This movie was sold, like all comic book movies of the 1990's a pure action film, with bits of laughter here and there.This film is a fun ride, and I never get tired of it. The special effects and sets are great for the times.You can tell there was a lot of attention to detail when they made this, and making it in the England where Judge Dredd was created was also cool since so many of these big films are made over in Hollywood.If you are looking for an entertaining action film with some comedy then check out Judge Dredd. Many people claim that the New Dredd film with Karl Urban is a better film since it is more closer in tone to the comics. Whilst it isn't a bad film, I found it quite boring and didn't buy Karl Urban as Judge Dredd at all, unlike Stallone who is clearly a tough guy and not just *acting* the part.