We here at Fractured Visions HQ were split about whether or not to see this film. My partner in crime is a die hard Riddick fan and was super extra excited to see it. I was a bit more wary because I remember the less than stellar Chronicles of Riddick from 2004. Had I taken into account my experience with Riddick star Vin Diesel's OTHER franchise I would not have been so worried.
Once again Diesel takes a film that makes you think "really? They made another one of those? Why?" and leaves you saying "Holy monkey snot that was pretty great!"
While Riddick is a stand alone piece that anyone can get into, it ties into the other films of the series very well. With events from the fourteen year old Pitch Black playing a large role in the current installment. The expository narration could have become tedious but in this case does not. It is handled well and Vin Diesel's voice has a soothing effect and pulls you into the story like your grandfather reading to you at bedtime.
This outing sees our (anti) hero facing not only the challenges of a harsh environment but also two seperate groups of bounty hunters, one ragtag and one very professional, each with their own reasons for pursuit and of course asking the eternal Riddick question "Is Riddick the scariest thing that lurks in the dark?"
The look and tone of Riddick harken back to our introduction to the character in Pitch Black. Director David Twohy seemed to know what the people wanted and he definitely delivers. The action takes place on a desolate world shot in a dim nearly sepia tone style no bright colors and fancy armor in this one. The ships used in the film are very utilitarian transports though there are some very cool "jet hogs" that look like the sort of thing DC Comics intergalactic bounty hunter Lobo might ride in on. The story features a lot of suspenseful moments. However at some places near the beginning of the film you know who is going to triumph. The film is called Riddick after all.
With the exception of Bokeem Woodbine, David Bautista and Katee Sackhoff, the cast is populated with mostly unknowns (to this reviewer at least) but I hope to see more from them soon. Everyone brought their A-game to this one and there are some great performances in this film. Former rugby star Matt Nable brings a great presence and sense of authority to his role as leader of one of the mercenary groups. Sackhoff brings life to what could have easily become just another bad ass sci-fi chick. Though she is bad ass, the character of Dahl always has something waiting just behind her eyes that makes the viewer want to know how she came to be who she is. It would have been great to see a real knock down drag-out between Riddick and Bautista's character of Diaz but hey you can't have everything.
In closing, I say leave your worries at the door and trust in these talented filmmakers to give you a fun suspenseful ride in a universe that is explored too infrequently. Viewing of the previous films is not necessary before seeing Riddick but could be fun especially those new to the world of Riddick.
