Judge Minty (2013)

For all the hype it got I was expecting a lot more!

It is not deep, but it is fun to watch. It does have a bit more of an edge to it than other similar films.

Excellent and certainly provocative... If nothing else, the film is a real conversation starter.

The storyline feels a little thin and moth-eaten in parts but this sequel is plenty of fun.

"Judge Minty" is a 27-minute (live) action short film from 2013, so this one will have its 5th anniversary next year already. It is the first filmmaking effort by writer and director Steven Sterlacchini and his second is following these days. But back to this one here, it is basically about a judge on a rampage, so the connection to Judge Dredd (not just the one in the title) is undeniable. Besides that, however, it is just a pretty generic action short film that offers very little in terms of story-telling. The deficits there also have as a consequence that the actors (including lead actor Edmund Dehn) just don't have the material to shine here unfortunately. It does not even ooze coolness sadly, which could have elevated the material a bit like in one or the other Tarantino film. So yeah with the quality of this one, I cannot say I am too curious about Sterlacchini's next works, but I sure hope he managed to step up his game in the past couple years will keep doing so in the years to come. Final note: The very last scene reminded me a bit of Batman vs. Joker. I don't recommend the watch. Thumbs down.

As much as I enjoyed Dredd (2012), I did struggle a little with Mega City One's 'realistic' aesthetic, and to a lesser extent, the practical design of the judges' uniforms and their new-look lawmasters. What fan-film Judge Minty proves is that, even when working on a very tight budget, the unmistakable visual style of 2000AD's greatest strip need not be compromised. Mega City One is exactly as it should be; the Judges' uniforms retain the iconic gold shoulder pad and the eagle; the lawmaster looks exactly like it did in the comic. And it works. Brilliantly.Put simply, director Steven Sterlacchini, his cast and crew have worked miracles, their obvious passion for all things Dredd shining through in every frame; the attention to detail is stunning, the effects are great and the plot, although simple, is guaranteed to please long time fans of the comic strip, with the action taking place both on the streets of Mega City One and the wastelands of The Cursed Earth. Watching Judge Minty, one cannot help wonder what these guys might have achieved with more money at their disposal; someone should give them a chance to show us...I'm so impressed, I'm giving this a rating of 8.5/10 (rounded up to 9 for IMDb), which is actually higher than I gave Dredd!!!

When I think of "Fan Films" I think of low budget productions put together on a shoelace...that LOOK like it.This is not a "Fan Film". This is an independent film made by fans. The difference is the quality. Perfectly acted, with breathtaking visuals, this is something that left me wanting more from these folks. I want another film in the Judge Dredd universe.Seriously, the only disappointment is that Greg Staples has no chin and should NEVER be shot in profile if being used as Dredd.Judge Minty follows the retirement, and long walk journey into the Cursed Earth. Never has the Cursed Earth looked this good. This 27 minute movie has it right where an entire Hollywood production couldn't even take a single correct step.

A little over 20 minutes, "Judge Minty" chronicles the retirement of the eponymous Mega City Judge and his survival in the post-apocalyptic wasteland of Cursed Earth. Apart from a short prologue it is a really long, visually stunning action sequence, bringing to life the gritty universe of the comic book. Edmund Dehn does a terrific job, bringing the old lawman to life with only a number of lines at his disposal. Budgetary limitations aside, it fleshes out characters and setting with strong performances, top-notch Visual SFX and an exemplary sound design. Watched this on a screening at a local Comics Festival (Comicdom Con - Athens 2013). Definitely a short film that should spread out and be seen...