The Chronicles of Riddick

David Twohy 2004

Since this is a sequel I guess I should give a brief overview of the first film "Pitch Black". Before Vin Diesel became the new Hollywood hard man, this film slipped under the cinematic radar. A group of people including a mercenary and an escaped convict find themselves stranded on what they think is an abandoned planet. However it soon becomes apparent that the convict is the least of their worries as one by one they are picked off by something hiding in the dark.

All to often science fiction films are hugely convoluted and mistake complicated and boring plots for intelligence. Thankfully this is not the case with "Pitch Black". A simple story, good performances and interesting characters.

And onto the sequel...

So here we are, five years later and Riddick is flushed out of hiding by mercenaries, weird transparent women and despots alike. Basically Riddick has to save a planet from an army of intergalactic empire builders.

I don't think that they could have made a worse sequel unless they stuck Vin Diesel in tights and made 'The Chronicles of Riddick the ballet years'. The fact that David Twohy returns to direct and made such a mess is woeful, maybe the bigger budget went to his head and he started channeling George Lucas. Did the Studio force this change of direction? Did Vin Diesel, who became executive producer of this film, stamp his feet and demand some script changes.

One of the main problems I have with this film is the frankly stupid recasting of the character of Jack who appeared in "Pitch Black". I can only imagine that Rhiana Griffith who played Jack in the original film read the script and wisely stepped away. They strip the character of all interesting aspects as garnered in "Pitch Black" and treat us to some bland Lara Croft wannabe poll vaulting all over the place and uttering banal dialogue.

The main bad guys are the Nercomongers but their background is largely left unexplored so they are merely two dimensional baddies who have impressive space ships and funny armour.

Judi Dench and Linus Roache pop by to show everyone what real acting looks like and wear silly outfits. What is most down heartening is the fact that the end was left so open, you just know that another sequel is in the offing.

I guess if you take this as a separate film to "Pitch Black" it is a passable Sci-Fi offering.

"I'll kill you with my teacup"