DVD Review: Don’t dread watching ‘Dredd’

“Dredd,” also known under certain circumstances as “Dredd 3D,” is one of several films last year that seemed “better than they had any right to be.” This semi-compliment most frequently applies to movies — particularly remakes, gratuitous sequels, adaptations of beloved or barely remembered TV shows — that are really not that bad.

“Dredd 3D” resurrected the character that Sylvester Stallone had buried in 1995; the less-well-known Karl Urban takes over the lead, to much better effect. The film is all rat-a-tat guns and explosives and fireballs — a lot of mayhem and noise — quite well-done mayhem and noise, and it has no pretense to anything more.

The new Blu-ray includes a 3D version, which I am not equipped to view. But the 2D rendering on the same disc looks very good, and frankly the loss of the depth of one dimension is, if anything, an improvement.

There are about 40 minutes of so-so extras: a history of the character from its comic-book origins, and a look at the visual-effects work, each about 15 minutes long; and a few very short additional clips about the costume design, the sets, and the pros and cons of shooting in 3D.

“Dredd” (Lionsgate Home Entertainment, 3D Blu-ray/Blu-ray, $39.99; DVD, $29.98)

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ANDY KLEIN is the film critic for Marquee. He can also be heard on “FilmWeek” on KPCC-FM (89.3).