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Revenge
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24th
November 04 |
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Cover
by Cliff Robinson & Chris Blythe |
Judge Dredd: Pre-Emptive
Revenge
By Jonathan Clements
Starring
Toby Longworth
as Judge Dredd
Simon Pegg as Johnny Alpha
Ian Hallard as Lam
Quotable quote:
‘I bet you were a boy scout...bracing walks... little paramilitary uniforms.’
Reviews by Richmond
Clements
At just 2 episodes,
the Big Finish Strontium Dog series was woefully short lived. And I think we all
know who to blame for this, don’t we? That’s right, the finger can
point in no other direction than that of Simon Pegg himself. I mean, who does
he think he is, going off and becoming a big star in the time since the last SD
tale? Honestly, the nerve of some folk...
This makes this
latest Big Finish adventure all the more precious. Because, unless Pegg’s
career suddenly collapses around him, I doubt we’re going to be seeing him
back in the role any time soon. And it’s a damned pity, because he’s
a good here as he was in the previous Alpha outings.
How is this team-up
handles then, story ways? Instead of coming up with some convoluted reason for
Johnny to come back 1 time again, Clements has created a kind of epilogue for
the Judgement Day epic. I’d love to have heard a recreation of the ‘Who
the hell’s going to mess with us’ from the end of the tale, but hey,
this is good enough.
There are many
highlights to what is a brilliant production, with the constant odd couple bickering
of the pair not only well observed and funny, but played perfectly.
Clements manages to get the balance between the serious nature of their situation
and the comedy he draws from the hatred between the two perfectly. There is some
lovely wordplay, as the two of them repeatedly attempt to score points off each
other. This is one of those situations where I want to say ‘And then there’s
this bit... and this bit’s great too...’ But let’s say, given
the situation, with the zombies and all, a reference to Shaun is all but impossible
to resist, and the scene where they are discussing the future and past is as good
as anything either character has ever done.
Maybe you can pick up from this review that I liked this one, and you’d
be right. But that’s not to say that’s it’s without fault. The
main body of the plot is not the strongest, but it’s not the most important
thing in the production anyway.
No, this is all about Longworth and Pegg trying to see who can eat the most scenery.
And in the end, I’d call it a draw.
Essential listening
for any self respecting Dredd or Alpha fan.
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