CORPORATE LINE: The further adventures of Riddick (Vin Diesel) continue five years later, as the escaped convict with the ability to see in the dark finds himself caught in the middle of a galactic war between two opposing forces, with the key figure being the Lord Marshal (Colm Feore), the leader of a sect called the Necromongers waging the “10th Crusade” in the 26th century. Helping Riddick is Aereon (Judi Dench), the Ambassador of the “Elemental” race, who helps Riddick unearth the secrets of his origin and Kyra (Alexa Davalos), who has grown up since Riddick knew her as a preteen girl in the first movie. Attempting to free himself and Kyra from a subterranean prison, Riddick ends up on board the Necromonger flagship, where he gets his chance to face off against the Lord Marshal in a battle over the future of all beings in the galaxy, both living… and dead.
THE GOOD: Great special effects dominate the film. Sure, they are overdone but let your mind escape for just a little while or else you’ll never understand. Vin Diesel is up and down. His one-liners are delivered exactly the way he thinks Stallone might handle them. He’s no Stallone. If it were all left up to Diesel he couldn’t save this film—thankfully the special effects and vastness keep us intrigued.
THE BAD: Can you say plot holes? Let’s see—the Necromongers are destroying the entire universe but they have to pause so they can catch Riddick because? Sure they explain why, but time and again he is caught and not one of their millions of army men fire on him and end this major pain’s life? It’s absurd. How about a jail paying for a prisoner to come there? Huh? Sure its escapism but in the future does everyone escape their senses?
HD-DVD VIDEO:
This is a movie full of special effects and that makes for a great HD experience. Still, this isn’t the best looking movie released by Universal.
THE EXTRAS :
The commentary by director David Twohy and actors Alexa Davalos and Karl Urban do nothing for the extras. The real impressive extras involve Vin Diesel touring the unbelievable sets—too bad its so short. It’s amazing how big these sets are too bad it didn’t have a movie to match.
“Riddick Insider” gives facts behind the characters and you can also follow a text while watching the film that gives information on the actors, characters, and more. Not enough goodies to make up for an already lacking movie.
FRANKLY: The Chronicles of Riddick is an un-cerebral popcorn flick at its butter-iest. Where Pitch Black was good because of its anti-hero Riddick, The Chronicles miss because Riddick becomes a reluctant hero. This doesn’t sound like a big deal—but it is.
+ Charlie Craine
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