‘Dredd’ 4K UHD Blu-Ray Via Vision Limited Edition Review – A Futuristic Action-Packed Bloodbath

Based on the 2000 AD comic strip Judge Dredd created by John Wagner and Carlos Ezquerra, Dredd is filled with stunning visual effects and action sequences. Starring Karl Urban (The Boys), Olivia Thirlby (Juno), and Lena Headey (Game Of Thrones), directed by Pete Travis, and written and produced by Alex Garland (Civil War, Ex Machina).

The America of the post-apocalyptic future is an irradiated wasteland – a vast, ultraviolent world where criminals control the mean city streets. Ultimate law enforcers like Dredd (Karl Urban) and his new partner, Anderson (Olivia Thirlby), are Judges – the only force battling for justice. Dispatched by the central authority, the Judges’ target is Ma-Ma (Lena Headey), a ruthless boss bent on expanding her criminal empire through sales of Slo-Mo, a dangerous reality-altering drug. With Dredd calling the shots, the two judges declare full-scale war on crime in this unrelenting, brutal thrill ride.

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Video Quality

The 4K UHD Blu-Ray of Dredd from Via Vision appears to be the exact same disc that Lionsgate first released in 2017. This label is based out of Australia, but the included Blu-Ray discs will play in all Blu-Ray players including those in the United States. 4K UHD Blu-Ray discs are almost never region-locked, so there is also no issue with that if you are importing. This release comes in its original 2.40:1 in 2160p with HDR10 which offers a nice enough uptick in quality over the accompanying newly authored Blu-Ray, and a definite improvement over the previous U.S. Blu-Ray release from Lionsgate that forced both the standard Blu-Ray presentation and the 3-D presentation on to a single disc. 

The 4K UHD Blu-Ray has always been one of the titles that fans have debated over the years, but the benefits tend to outweigh the weaker points. The 4K presentation appears to be from a scan of the filmout which gives the film a gritty quality that suits the narrative yet causes it to come up short on clarity in some respects. Skin tones look nice with some great detail in close-up shots. The transfer reveals an increase in the depth of field in the confined location that we explore throughout. In the wake of the various scenes of destruction, you can more clearly make out textures within the production design, not to mention the textures of the costumes. The softness in the film can be a bit problematic with some instances making you wonder if you put the Blu-Ray disc instead. It is not a consistent issue, but it makes you pause before offering a full recommendation. 

The most notable improvement is in its vivid, heightened color palette during the drug sequences which captures the intended mindset very well. There are significant gains in visual pop and saturation that make the bold colors leap off the screen even more. Where the film falters a bit is the occasional pushed black levels that give the film a murky sheen in darker elements that are not appreciated. The highlights in the film are more defined with whites more pure and balanced with no instances of blooming to be found. There are definite benefits to this 4K upgrade, but you might not consider it demo material. 

Audio Quality

This disc comes equipped with a knockout Dolby Atmos presentation that will give your system a workout. This has always been a title that delivered on the sound front, but the addition of the height channels makes this one effortlessly immersive. Sounds are deftly rendered with pinpoint directionality from the onslaught of action scenes to the smattering of interpersonal moments of dialogue. The overhead channels are especially welcome during shootouts and fight scenes in a way that makes it feel more immersive. 

Ambient details are plentiful and quite satisfying in the rear and overhead channels. The score envelopes the room in a really pleasing manner that transports you into this dystopia. Dialogue is presented perfectly clearly without ever being overshadowed by any of the competing sonic elements. The gunfire and forceful hits provide an all-encompassing soundscape that kicks in throughout all the speakers. The low end is very active in a way that you won’t soon forget. The mix will more than satisfy fans of the film. Optional English, English SDH, and Spanish subtitles are provided on the 4K UHD disc. The included Blu-Ray and Blu-Ray 3-D discs each include a DTS-HD 7.1 Master Audio track. 

Special Features

• Audio Commentary: The Blu-Ray disc provides a new commentary track with award-winning comic book and Dredd film concept artist Jock, & 2000 AD Brand Manager and author of “I Am The Law: How Judge Dredd Predicted Our Future”, Michael Molcher. These two are intimately familiar with the history of the character and the production of this film, and the information they provide is invaluable for fans. 

• Mega-City Masters – 35 Years of Judge Dredd: A nearly 15-minute retrospective of the franchise, including interviews with co-creators John Wagner and Carlos Ezsquerra, artist Brian Bolland, 2000AD’s Matt Smith, and more that sticks mostly with the comic series. 

• Day Of Chaos – The Visual Effects of Dredd: A nearly 16-minute featurette that dives into the visual effects of the film through interviews with Visual Effects Art Director Neil Miller, Visual Effects Supervisor Jon Thum, Screenwriter Alex Garland, and more.

• Dredd Featurette: A two-minute piece that gives the most basic overview of the feature. 

• Dredd’s Gear: A nearly three-minute exploration of the costume and props. 

• The 3rd Dimension: A two-minute dive into the decision to shoot in 3-D with Producer Andrew MacDonald, Cinematographer Anthony Dod Mantle, and Lead Stereographer Vincent E. Toto.

• Welcome To Peachtrees: A nearly three-minute look at the main location of the story and how it was brought to life through production design and special effects. 

• Dredd Motion Comic Prequel: A three-minute backstory on supervillain Madeline. 

• Theatrical Trailer: The two-and-a-half-minute trailer is provided here.

Final Thoughts

Dredd is a lean and mean action title that gives you just enough of a compelling story before things hit the fan and the unhinged, violent sequences rarely let up. We wish we could have gotten a sequel to expand the lore a bit more, but those who simply want to see a futuristic bloodbath of explosions will leave with a smile on their face. Karl Urban puts forth a solid performance given the limitations the iconic helmet puts on him. Via Vision Entertainment has released a new 4K UHD Blu-Ray set featuring a good A/V presentation, impressive packaging, and some cool special features. If you are a fan of the film, this is the most impressive package yet. Recommended 

Dredd is currently available to purchase on 4K UHD + Blu-Ray + Blu-Ray 3-D in a Limited Edition package. 

Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the 4K UHD Blu-Ray.

Note #2: This release is an Australian import that can be played in 4K UHD Blu-Ray players worldwide.

Disclaimer: Via Vision Entertainment has supplied a copy of this set free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.