Film reviews: Dredd, Hope Springs, To Rome With Love, Anna Karenina, The Snows of Kilimanjaro

Published on 09/09/2012 00:18

A round-up of films out this week

Dredd (18)

* * * *

You shouldn’t confuse this incarnation of the helmeted 22nd century law enforcer with Sylvester Stallone’s 1995 movie any more than you might mix up Delia Smith and Sawney Bean. This is a leaner, fitter, more faithful version. Karl Urban is the man in the mask. The script isn’t much, but the action is inventively bloody and the 3D visuals are dazzling.

On general release

The Snows of Kilimanjaro (15)

* * * *

In this unexpected French crowd-pleaser, a couple are robbed of their once-in-a-lifetime holiday to Africa but decide to treat the situation with forgiveness. Contains no traces of Hemingway whatsoever. Good.

Filmhouse, Edinburgh, and Glasgow Film Theatre, 14-27 September; DCA, 21-28 September.

Anna Karenina (12A)

* * *

Keira Knightley reunites with Atonement and Pride And Prejudice director Joe Wright for a new adaptation of Tolstoy’s doorstopper. The conceit of setting the story in a theatre is eye-catching. But this is surprisingly passionless. Knightley seems too young for her character’s heedless desperation, and who would have thought that any adaptation would leave you preferring her husband (Jude Law) to Vronsky (Aaron Johnson-Taylor)?

On general release

To Rome With Love (12A)

* * *

More of Woody Allen’s holiday snaps. Americans in Italy encounter a series of sketchy situations including Penelope Cruz as a call girl pretending to be a businessman’s girlfriend, Alec Baldwin handing out life lessons to Jesse Eisenberg, and Woody himself discovering an Italian Susan Boyle. Pleasant enough.

Filmhouse, Edinburgh, Friday until 27 September; Glasgow Film Theatre, 21-27 September.

Hope Springs (12A)

* *

Meryl Streep and Tommy Lee Jones seek out Steve Carell’s therapist to put the spark back in their marriage. If you have ever wondered how Dame Meryl might fellate a banana, I’m afraid this is for you.

On general release from Friday

Siobhan Synnot