Judge Dredd

Sylvester Stallone adopts a campy stance (and does it well) in this action-packed futuristic comic book that's surprisingly entertaining and one of the most visually exciting films of the year. As the title character, Stallone plays a no-bull supercop dispensing justice in an overcrowded megalopolis. As might be expected, a power-hungry testosterone-laden villain (Armand Assante) decides he wants the city for himself, and Sylvester is forced to kick some butt. Drawing heavily on Blade Runner (both in plot and look), Judge Dredd is, admittedly, a no-brainer. But it's a fun ride. (R. Pitman)