I really wanted to like Dredd. The trailers looked amazing, Karl Urban looked the part and so did Anderson. The whole drug-plot seemed intriguing and... it's Judge Dredd. However, I ended up being disappointed. It's not that I think it was a bad movie, it was an okay film, especially given what they had to work with.
The 3D-effects were nicely done. Especially the plot-device with the slow motion. Not only do they have an excuse for the slow motion that works in the context of the story, but it also gives them a nice excuse to crank up the colours a bit. And that's what they did. I loved watching the carnage unfold while SloMo is in effect.
Generally, I loved the visual style of the movie. The atmosphere of MegaCity One was captured perfectly, I think. It's wrecked, it's poor, it's crime-ridden. What helped this a lot was the poignancy of Dredd going out while being fully aware - even going as far as stating it outright - that the Judges are only able to respond to six percent of the emergency calls. Yet he fights on without even as much as a second thought or a doubt. I loved that aspect. Generally, the characterization was spot-on and despite his constant stonewalling, I felt like I got to know Dredd.
The story can work. It has, in fact. It's a story designed to be a vehicle to lead from one action scene to the next. If you guys know "The Raid: Redemption", you know how the exact same story can work. Good guys at the bottom, bad guys on top. Good guys must get bad guys or else, there's no going home. Only that in case of The Raid, it worked brilliantly because the action scenes in between them walking stairs were thrilling and exciting. This is due to the film being a martial arts showcase. Star Iko Uwais shows off his Silat skills. And that's where I see Dredd's major flaw. All Dredd does is shooting people. From a distance. There is no immediate action. It's all from a distance.
Also, Dredd is never in trouble. Sure, the entire block being locked down and there being a horde of bad guys is a pretty bad situation. But this is Dredd we're talking about. Dredd is a force of nature. He needs something to go up against. Take his gun away or have him run out of ammo, if only for one fight. I would have liked that.
Another thing that greatly annoyed me is that Dredd repeatedly went against his ideals, which just is not Dredd. Granted, this had to be done for dramatic effect and so that in a sequel, there could be Anderson again. But he doesn't just pass people who clearly failed. That's not what he does. He's also not the type to just leave a bum scurry off without any kind of punishment.
Overall, I wanted to like it much more than I did. I hope there will be a sequel and I will be on board for that.