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Only Stallone can say - I am the LAW!

Science fiction is such a wonderful medium in that it affords the creative community to test our concepts that would be impossible to explore in real life.

Judge Dredd is precisely that. A future post-apocalypic Earth (The Cursed Earth) where humanity lives in megacities and where society in order to keep order has established a Police Force with a Judges Power (Police, Judge, Jury, Executioner rolled up into one person - The Judge). These Judges have the power to chase criminals and dispense "Justice" on the spot. A Judge witnesses you jaywalking and he can, on the spot, Judge you guilty and impose a fine. In our society, such a concept is ridiculous and would never work but...suspend disbelief and take a look at what qualities a Judge would have to possess from an Ethics and Justice Perspective. Sometimes these concepts start out in Comics and Judge Dredd is no exception -- Judge Dredd is an award winning and very long running Britsh Comic. I've never read it though fyi.


The Movie is about one Judge -- the baddest and most feared/respected of them all (Judge Joseph Dredd). The movie adaptation follows the formula for many action movies of this time. Rob Schneider plays comic relif (small time thief who happens to be in the wrong time) throughout the movie. Diane Lane is the young new Judgette (sp?) and love interest of Stallone (no romance in the movie though just a bit of URST). Diane is as always lovely and such a wonderful acress. Stallone plays the cold idealistic Ethical Super Judge Dredd. Armand Assante plays a wonderful villain with a very cool bad Robot bodyguard. Max von Sydow and Jürgen Prochnow also play some wonderful supporting characters who deliver some wonderful performances. The acting is first rate and I can say that only Stallone could have played this role -- almost as if it was written for him.

I won't give away much of the plot - suffice it to say that Judge Dredd is accused of a crime he didn't commit, gets shipped off to jail and the bad guys almost take over. As Stallone, Schneider, Lane, and Max von Sydow work to fix things and come back from the edge of oblivion there's plenty of action, humor, big guns, big guns, shooting, big guns etc. Stallone saves the day and kisses the girl.

Genre: SciFi
Type: Action
Category: A (this is not a B movie)
Budget: Summer Blockbuster ($90million)
Actors: First Rate
Acting: Very Good
Special Effects: First Rate (for the time -- still good today)
How'd it do: Half Belly Flop ($100million worldwide)

This was a big budget film which received poor reviews. It was very formulaic and probably the critics were tired of the same formula being used....Big Tough Hero + Comic Relief Funnyman + Gorgeous Girl + Super Bad Guy + Super Tough Odds + Science Fiction Setting = Super Summer Bockbuster.

In fairness, the movie is a bit dated but if you enjoy this genre and want a fun movie to watch on a Sunday Afternoon in the SciFi action category - this is a good candidate. Its not a thinking person's movie (unless your roomate happens to be a philosophy PHD candidate in which case you'll go down having the classic Socrates and Thrasymacus debate for the rest of the afternoon). More of a hang your brain at the door and have some fun kindof movie. The underlying concept though is extremely intelligent. I really enjoyed this movie but definitely its an acquired taste - I hope the review helps make a decision.

Not as bad as it seems

Based on the DC Comic; this film adaptation of Judge Dredd doesn't fully display the heart of the comic it is adapted from, but on it's own it's mindless fun with none other than Sylvester Stallone in the title role. Stallone is as stoic as ever for the first half of the film, and seems to have a lot of fun in his role, while Armand Assante chews the scenery as Dredd's nemesis Rico, while a pre-Unfaithful Diane Lane puts on a good show as well. It's completely mindless; but thanks to some nicely assembled action scenes, impressive special effects, and a great tightly knit cast (including Rob Schneider, Max Von Sydow, Jurgen Prochnow, Joan Chen, and Balthazar Getty), Judge Dredd is better than it is reputed to be; and with the recent wave of comic licensed films to hit theaters, I find it better than The Hulk.

Make up your own pun about this dredd-ful movie...

I have always known that Slyvester Stallone had limitations as an actor, but I have to admit I was rather surprised that he could not play Arnold Schwarzenegger. Listen to the dialogue when the title character in "Judge Dredd" shows up on the scene and I think it is pretty clear that lines like "I am the law" were written for Ah-nold to growl rather than Sly. I have no evidence to support such a conclusion, like we do for the part of the Wizard in �The Wizard of Oz� being written for W.C. Fields, but I remain convinced that Schwarzenegger would have been better suited to carrying off the opening scene.

�Judge Dredd� is based on a British comic book of a dystopian future where police officers have become �judges� who are judge, jury and executioner rolled into one. As such it was part of the British disposition towards predicting a fascist future found in works from George Orwell�s classic novel �1984� to Alan Moore and David Lloyd comic book mini-series �V for Vendetta.� For the most part the �Judge Dredd� comics were highlighted by the distinctive artwork of Brian Bolland more than anything else.

The film presents a future that is so violent, with Megacities engaged in constant battles called Block Wars, that even the Judges, with their authority and power to summarily execute criminals, are considered to be unable to handling the problem. Judge Griffin (Jürgen Prochnow) wants to expand the authority of the Judges so that they can execute more criminals for lesser crimes and in a film like this you know such goals are not idle ideological discourse. There is a conspiracy at work and suddenly Dredd (Stalone) is arrested and convicted for a crime that he did not commit. The deed was perpetrated by Rico (Armand Assante), a former Judge who was sent to prison by Dredd. But, as with all such movie conspiracies, there is much more to the plot than Dredd knows, involving even his father figure, Chief Justice Fargo (Max won Sydow).

Judge Dredd has two decidedly different sidekicks in this film, Judge Hershey (Diane Lane), who tries to defend him in court, and career petty criminal Herman Ferguson (Rob Schneider), who ends up with him on the street trying to stay alive and figure out the conspiracy. They have relatively little to do in the film besides spout dialogue intended to provide exposition, comic relief, and chip away at Dredd�s gruff exterior to eventually find a spark of humanity. It is a sad film that wastes the talents of both Diane Lane and Rob Schneider. �Judge Dredd� works best during its action sequences, when the title character is too busy to speak, because sooner or later he utters the film�s wretched punch line, �I knew you�d say that,� and you have to roll your eyes and wait for the next action sequence to distract you.

In its defense, it should be pointed out that there is a lot of action in the film, which never lets up long enough for you to make the conscious effort to stop watching. The conspiracy is predictable enough that when characters sketch out the details in-between Dredd's rampages it is enough to connect the dots. Just do not try and figure out the film�s ideological position on law and order issues in the real world.

Not all that bad! They should've edited to PG-13 though for more audience members! Otherwise, I had some fun watching 'Judge Dredd!'

I think one reason this film did so bad at both box-office and film criticism is because of its MPAA rating. The film editors should've known no one 17 or over is REALLY going to want to see a movie called 'Judge Dredd.' They should've been smart enough to cut out some violence, and make it PG-13. But despite this, I actually had a fun time watching this movie! Yes, really, I did! Of course Stallone's a horrid actor, and of course some of the scenes/action is ridiculous, but it captures the feeling that you're watching a live graphic novel (otherwise known as a comic), and it does this so well that I had a really fun time watching it. I mean it's not great, but it sure as heck is fun, and I recommend this film despite its flaws. Just keep in mind when you're watching this, that it's just a fun film. Nothing less, nothing more. 3/5 stars-JOHN ULMER

Underrated action...

I went to see this movie when it first came out, and I have to say that I never understood why so many people hated it.

All I can think of that that they misread Stallone's portrayal of Judge Dredd. Stallone is purposely playing Dredd as a comic book character (which, after all, is what Dredd was), and therefore not a role laced with any deep meanings. Although there are some deeper scenes (Dredd speaking of what happened to his best friend, and later, Dredd and Rico meeting in the Janus complex), for the most part, the movie is just one big comic book. The movie is what it is, and what it was intended to be; a fun, action sci-fi comic. To expect anything else is unfair.

There are some good roles here, too. Stallone purposely goes two-dimensional as Dredd, which is perfect (Dredd sees only black and white when it comes to the Law). Rob Schnider was also pretty good, not too annoying, not invisible. I recall my friends and I were impressed with him in this one. Diane Lane is foxy, and Max von Sydow lends credibility as mentor and Chief Judge.

There were some interesting ideas on display here, and the execution of those ideas is handled quite well. Perfect? Well, no, but not bad, either.

The effects are a bit dated. Most are CGI, and while impressive for their day, they are very "videogame-looking" compared to more recent CGI work. Still, if you want a fun sci-fi action picture, this is the one.

If I could give this 0 stars I would

Judge Dredd is a symbol of justice, a man who is judge, jury and executioner. He gives the creeps a warning then beats them up a lot, arrests them or just blows them away.

He does not stand aroudn striking a poncy pose or takes his hat off after 5 minutes. He clobbers people with a night stick.

This film is a wasted license and possibly the worst big budget action film for many years (not counting any Steven Seagal films). If Judge Dredd did exist he would arrest the entire production crew, especially the writers.

A waste.

Not as bad as the critics said

This is one of Stallone's under rated movies. Like Demolition Man it got bashed instead of praised. The action is well done and Stallone is perfect as Dredd. Those who like to be entertained with loud special effects and violence will find this to their interest.

Mediocre mess adapted from a classic.

Judge Dredd is an institution in British comics, making his first appearance in the second issue of 2000 AD. in 1977. He was the creation of Pat Mills, John Wagner, and Carlos Ezquerra. He was an instant hit and paved the way for the other great stories that would appear in 2000 AD. The series has a dark, satirical bite, with over-the-top violence and wry social commentary. Sounds perfect for a cinematic adaptation, right? Wrong! Judge Dredd, the film, is a complete mess, beginning with the casting of Sylvester Stallone. Stallone can be a great actor, when he is challenged. He can deliver a great action movie; again, when challenged. He did neither here. He plays the character as a joke, thereby removing any real humor from the story. The essence of satire is to play it straight and let irony carry the joke. Stallone all but winks at the camera throughout the film.The next issue is Rob Schneider as comic relief. He's just not funny here. Whether that is a result of the script, changes made by Stallone, or his own disinterest is debatable. Suffice to say, he detracts from the story.What does work are the performances of Max Von Sydow, Jurgen Prochnow, Armand Assante and Diane Lane. They at least play it straight, and Assante is perfectly over-the-top as Rico.The costuming is also excellent, wonderfully adapting the look of the comic, while making it work with real clothing. I wondered how they would handle Dredd's uniform, especially the shoulder pads and helmet, but the filmmakers got it right and made it look good. They also handle the Lawmaster well and improved on the look of the Lawgiver (never liked the comic design).It's been said that Stallone took over the film and moved it completely away from the script. It certainly veered sharply away from the source material, although it took bits and pieces from it. Had Stallone played it straight, the film might have been more entertaining. As it stands, about a third of the film is very entertaining, but the rest ranges from a mixed bag to plain awful.The shame of it is that there is a wealth of material to explore for a Judge Dredd series. This is a movie that would be perfect for a remake. Robocop proved you could do an over-the-top, darkly satirical movie, with some subversive social commentary mixed in and a sense of fun. Most of that was nicked from the original Judge Dredd. Here's hoping someone else will take up the gauntlet and create a better film.

Don't Go Out Of Your Way

Beware of movies that require an explanatory prologue, even if it is read by James Earl Jones.A cross between wannabe BLADERUNNER effects and Saturday morning "Superfriends"-type characters and stories, JUDGE DREDD offers the tale of a future society so lawless that ultra-police "judges" roam the streets dispensing inflexible justice right and left. Among them is Judge Dredd, played by Sylvester Stallone at his least expressive, a legendary incorruptible who must be gotten out of the way if an evil take-over is to be staged. In classic manner he is framed for a crime he did not commit--and the rest of the film is as predictable as last night's popcorn.A major critical and box-office flop when released, JUDGE DREDD isn't quite as bad as some would lead you to believe. True enough, it is EXTREMELY predictable from start to finish and INCREDIBLY heavy-handed in execution; even so, the special effects (which borrow heavily from everything from BATMAN to ROBOCOP to BLADERUNNER) are watchable, and if you're in the mood to waste time on "junk cinema" you could probably do worse. I won't trash it, but even so it isn't a movie you'll want to go out of your way to see.Gary F. Taylor, aka GFT, Amazon Reviewer

Confusing gawdy caper

Confusing production which has the potential to be one of those great big-budget movie capers and on more than one front showed the potential to be a massive disappointment to fans of the 2000AD comics. The production design is in places brilliant, and in places shabby and cheap. Made before the use of CGI became prevalent in these kinds of movies, it has a feel of the highly coloured sets and costumes that the decade's other comic book adaptations (Dick Tracy) also fell for.... instead of the dark colours and slick style of Burton's Batman. In contrast this now looks and feels cheap and nasty, but it has a place in the history of comic-book adaptations, and even features set and prop design by Chris Cunningham (assume that's the good stuff then!)

Most enjoyable, if you don't this film seriously.

In the future world, in a time when all Powerful Polices could be Executioner with Judges at the same time. This world of Urban Chaos only the "Judges" with the supreme authority of both the Police Force and Legal System could control the violence from the street gangs or dangerous criminals. Judge Dredd (Sylvester Stallone) is caught in a conspiracy that can overthrow the government and eliminate the judges, when Dredd is framed for murder.Directed by Danny Cannon (I Still Know What You Did Last Summer, Phoenix, The Young American) made an entertaining, over-the-top, sci-fi action film. Based on a cult comic book by John Wagner and Carlos Ezquerra. Stallone is well cast as the lead. The film has an strong supporting cast like Armand Assante, Diane Lane, Rob Schneider, Joan Chen, Jurgen Prochnow, Joanna Miles, Balthazar Getty, Mitchell Ryan and Max Von Sydow.The film has some interesting plotting but the film gets lost with it's extreme violence, game-like special effects and some over-the-top performances. The film was actually longer in theaters, cutting an action sequences when Dredd is destroying the Judge Clones. Originally the film was supposed to be PG-13 but since the filmmakers were trying to make a PG-13 movie (That explains the film's lack of blood). But the MPAA (The Motion Picture Association of American from the Rating Boards) gives this film an R-Rating for it's extreme violence. The film plays better on video. Worth seeing, if you are an fan of Stallone or Comic Books (Since the Comic Books, Dredd never remove his Hamlet in the Comics). If you love non-stop action, don't miss it. James Earl Jones reads opening narration. James Remar and Scott Wilson appears unbilled. Panavision. (****/*****).

Propensity!

All hail to Judge Dredd: Judge, Jury, and Genius! This movie revolutionized the world and is the best thing that ever happened to me since taking my first footsteps. Sylvester Stallone and Armand Assante are comic geniuses. To much of my delight, they threw in Rob Schneider and Diane Lane. Ultra purity. From betrayal to retribution, this movie cleansed my mind, body and soul. Immortal!

Over produced

This comic adaption has some great things in it. Max von Sydow for example, some of the photography in some sequences, but it has too much wrong with it to be anything other than okay. Stallone of over the top, Rob Schneider is too silly, a misreading of the characters and a bloatedness that only too much money can buy.The problems with the movie are best summed up by the main street set which is huge. It looks great, it looks wonderful. It is shown repeatedly from only one angle. You never really move off this one street, and you never change perspective, it always the same shots from the same angles probably because they couldn't shoot it any other way.Its not as bad as you've heard, but its not good. My suggestion is a big tub of popcorn, some friends in a bitchy mood and this movie for a fine roast fest of Hollywood excess.

This is one great action flick

This has got it all, the comic lines, the action, the story a perfect cast (especially Stallone, whom you could presume modelled for the comic character of Judge Dredd, Assante who makes a real cool bad guy and Schneider as the comic sidekick). This really never puts you back an inch, while you are on the edge of your seat. It is great, although I would have liked it bloodier (show how they rip Prochnow's arms and legs of and show how that human is barbecued). While I am at the bad stuff, I feel that the effects were pretty poor sometimes although that didn't bother me that much I still enjoyed it. What bothers me that at 93 minutes this film seems heavily cut, or why does the lab at the end just start exploding and why didn't I see one clone moving around. That's it, nope, the ending could have been better, but it is OK.8 out of 10

The Jury Is Still Out On This One

Can`t really say I was much of a fan of the JUDGE DREDD . My favourite 2OOO AD strip was INVASION ( That`s the one where Britain is is invaded and occupied by a bunch of commies from the central Volgan Republic ) so I wasn`t going to judge ( Geddit ? ) the film version as some sort of comic book geek , but even so I found Danny Cannon`s film version disappointing . I know he`s trying to do a film based on a comic strip but he does so too literally , there`s no character development , the villain is just sooooooo evil because he kills everyone he comes across , makes the occasional wise crack while commiting murder and gives an silly evil laugh and shouts very loudly when riled . But Cannon and the screenwriters fail to introduce the razor sharp satire and gut wrenching irony that made the strip such a success so you`ve got a film that won`t really appeal to either the average cinema goer or fans of the comic strip .I doubt if anyone will ever bother making another DREDD movie but if they do I think Paul Verhoeven directing a script much closer in feel to the strip ( Only the scene involving the preacher in his cave with his sons feel like they came out of the strip ) could be a major blockbuster hit . As it stands the 1995 version isn`t much cop ( Geddit ? )

The Jurisprudence of Judge Dredd Determined

I gotta say I love this film. Today was the first time I saw it. They just don't make films like this anymore. It's damn funny, doesn't take itself seriously and is just pure action.I'm a law student and really into legal theory although it's not an original idea of the movie makers since it was a comic before the jurisprudence of Judge Dredd is fascinating.The law has been deified in the future, the statute book is even has a gold edge to its pages hinting at the sacred status of it. The judiciary are subservient to the law, to the letter. There is no implied common law system but the 'good book' contains all that needs to be known. Summary executions are common and trials rare. The law cannot be wrong, it cannot be sorry it just is.17th and 18th century English legal history have come full front in the film. In that century Parliament enacted an ever greater number of capital offences for a perceived endemic problem of lawlessness. The bloody code as it was termed sentenced defendants to death for trivial offences such as wood taking, wrecking, and property offences. The law was deified, the judges helpless to her power to carry out sentences. The magic, mercy and justice of the law was admired by all from the working class to MPs. This is precisely what happened in the Judge Dredd verse.So yeah that's why I think the film is damn neat. And in the year 2005 in light of recent international and national law infringements of the governments of the west; we have to question - do we need to be completely serviant to the law, when those in charge of its administration have such wanton disregard for it? Indeed do we need Judge John Dredd to enforce the law and pronounce "I AM THE LAW!" in the UK Parliament and US Congress?! OK yah that's kinda lame but whatever it'd be cool.Dredd's opening line "I AM THE LAW", now that shoulda been up there with "I'll be back".

A live action cartoon for kids--total waste of time for anyone else. * out of ****

JUDGE DREDD (1995) *Starring: Sylvester Stallone, Armand Assante, Rob Schneider, Diane Lane Director: Danny Cannon 97 minutes Rated R (for violence)By Blake French: "Judge Dread" is the most violent live action comic book movie I have ever seen. A few years ago one of my kids was begging me to allow them to see it at the theaters. I said no, due to the fact that the film's star, Sylvester Stallone, is usually very obscene and foul. But I was wrong. What made his film an R-rated production is the violence, on the same level as "Batman" and any other childish super hero flick. But "Judge Dread" is adult, according to the MPAA, who have limited this movie as a children option by giving it an R. This movie is adolescent in every minute of its length, and when I saw the film last week, throughout the movie I was thinking to myself
"This is ridiculous," both in comparison to the MPAA's rating and the movie's altogether badness. The film stars Sylvester Stallone as the title character, Judge Dread. However, before I get into the story, maybe it would be appropriate to develop a setting and atmosphere for you first. The time period is way in the future where violence is no longer a random occurrence, but a part of everyday life. Cities are filled to the rim with massive buildings, which mostly are in shambles, futuristic technology, and riots, killings, and nonstop uproar.By now you should be asking yourself: who is keeping order here. Well, they call them the Judges; live action cartoon characters that have bulletproof armor all over their bodies, drive flying motorcycles, and have really big guns and a lot of guts. Since there is so much crime present, however, and the fact that the old law system where a jury of twelve decides the fate of the criminal is impossible to keep up with here, the Judges are the jury, judge and executioner. If they chose to sentence someone to death it is kaboom right there on the spot. The most feared of the Judges: Judge Dread, who has no mercy, compassion, or human emotions. I suppose the point of the movie is the discovery of sympathy for Dread. "Judge Dread" has a pervasively overwhelming production design. The futuristic cities are so over the top in towering enormousness that looking at them almost makes us dizzy. I am not trying to say that is bad thing, but it is kind of recycled. And yes, there is lots more content here that is taken from other movies. Like the flying motorcycle scenes that were surly inspired for the pod racer sequences in "Star Wars." And the whole concept of the futuristic mood and the powerful judges is sort of "Terminator" territory. Lets not forget about the combat scenes just like the ones in "Demolition Man."The performances are not your Academy Award material here, to say he least. Big time action star Sylvester Stallone can't act worth a hill of beans. Or perhaps that is just because of his poorly developed character. Remember in "Soldier" (1998), where Kurt Russell, whom we all know can act very well, was developed in a way in which there was no possible way his performances could have been effective. Well, that may be the case here as well. Judge Dread is so boring in his character that I was actually rooting for the visually innovative bad guys to win. About those bad guys, they are wonderful. The filmmakers give us lots of variety in the villains. They vary from random acts of violence from rioters to cannibals who have captured Dread and plan for him to stay for their next meal, from revenge plots to brotherly un-love. But the villains don't have any depth to them, along with all the other characters in this film who lack development and comprehension. "Judge Dread" is a real disappointment...one of the years worst films.

Judge Dredd - ful

I have to admit that this wasn't the best movie I've seen - nor the worst. A nice and round 3/5 is the best I can do for this movie.

Having said that it really wasn't my "cup of tea". You either enjoyed the futuristic set or you didn't. Funnily enough there were some great moments in this movie and Sly Stallone rips off a few good one liners like: " I am the law..!!". Then again, that may well be showing my sense of humour but nonetheless this adaptation of a comic book strip back in the 70's probably done it a fair amount of justice.

It seemed like Judge Dredd was the be all and end all of the law in this futuristic metropolis. Although a little far fetched for my liking the fact that Judge Dredd had the power to decide what punishment was deemed approprate at the time made it a somewhat amusing to watch. Maybe, for me, it was a typical Stallone performance ???

Anyway, I didn't really like the movie but I did enjoy parts of it which bumped up the rating. I can relate to anyone who'd give this a thumbs-up for it and can definately understand anyone giving it a thumbs-down.

Overall, it wasn't all that interesting but, then again, I've seen worse. 3/5.

one greatest film version of a comic

I love that film. It's great! Best film version of a comic I've seen. Forget Hulk, Spiderman, Hellboy, and Batman as well... The only one that rules is Chief Justice Dredd.And don't worry about the play of Sylvester Stallone. It's a role that fits.Not like Copland (his best film), but who could play this role better. A guy who fights on his one. It's a bit like his role in "Demolition Man". So don't blame him too much. And don't forget about to think of roles in "Rambo" and "Rocky". (only "Rambo: First Blood" and "Rocky 1-3")P.S.: And it's great tribute to Gianni Versace!! (He designed all costumes.)

Not Stallone's Best Futuristic, Renegade Cop Movie

In the future, the police are transformed into a unit that can both arrest a person for a crime and judge them for it. They can even execute them if necessary. One of the most noteworthy is Judge Joseph Dredd (Sylvester Stallone), who is hailed as a hero by some and a loose cannon by others. When he is arrested on charges of murder, he finds out the hard way that the law isn't always right.Although this film was fun and in general I enjoyed it, it really wasn't a very good film. Let's start listing why: first, the really bad CGI. Granted, this is 1995 and the budget is lower. But as I like to point out, "Jurassic Park" was 1993 and their effects are amazing (or even "The Thing" back in 1982). When the motorcycle is flying over the city, it shouldn't look more fake than "E.T." does -- that's just not believable for an audience.Rob Schneider's presence was a mystery. Was it good or bad? On the one hand, I love Rob Schneider. Sure, his humor is often stupid or juvenile, but he still appeals to me in some way. Yet, he made this movie which should have been dark and menacing (this is a bleak future) and made it a joke. Sometimes the comic relief just isn't necessary.And I hear it's a good thing I didn't read the comic. I thought the love interest aspect was unnecessary, and I guess that's even more true in the books. And they don't like it because he removes the helmet, although I think it served the plot well for this so that doesn't bother me. Probably wouldn't have even noticed, especially after seeing Matt Salinger in "Captain America".I didn't understand the pirate mutants. I had no problem with genetically engineering clones (although why a whole arm is needed for a blood sample is beyond me). I had no problem with robots and cyborgs, or the never-ending supply of Wild Turkey whiskey. But why are there pirate mutants with robotic parts who also happen to be cannibals? That just seemed like something that would never exist -- like Morlocks with cybernetic features. Cool but extremely unlikely.Diane Lane was fine as Judge Hershey. Armand Assante made a great Rico (Dredd's brother), but why not cast Frank Stallone? Credit must go to Max von Sydow as Chief Justice Fargo. I love Max and he really came through here, adding a seriousness that this film sorely lacked. He was the Ben Kenobi to Stallone's Skywalker and it was great to see that father/son bond. He needed a bigger part.You want to see Stallone as a renegade cop, see "Cobra". You want to see hi mas a futuristic cop, see "Demolition Man". You want to see hi mas a cop, see "Cop Land". This film is only something you need to see if you just can't get enough of Stallone as a cop, a future cop or a renegade cop. Because it's far from his best work.