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The Chronicles of Riddick (Unrated Widescreen Edition) | Year: 2004 Directed: - David Twohy Actors/Actresses: - Vin Diesel - Colm Feore - Judi Dench SPECTACULAR BUT DISAPPOINTING For all its generous budget, extravagant sets, explosive fireworks, almost non-stop action, and the presence of Vin Diesel, "The Chronicles of Riddick" never works. SFX can make or break a sci-fi film, but that reality often makes filmmakers think they can ignore story and characterization. They can't, and "The Chronicles of Riddick" shows why. Devoid of any heart or soul, this movie never pulls you in or connects with you in any way, so that none of the visual pyrotechnics ever mean anything. The plot is threadbare (though the Necromongers are interesting villains, especially the Lord Marshall) and the direction takes some bad turns so that even the scenes that look like they should work fall flat. Vin Diesel is by no means a bad actor, but his character is so blatantly self-absorbed, immoral, and--even worse--artificial that he never generates much viewer empathy one way or the other. Moreover, Riddick is one of those "invincible" characters who can evidently do whatever he wants when he wants, so there's not much suspense. The climax is fairly well-done and exciting, but it takes too long to get there and ultimately not much is resolved. Certainly there will be a sequel, and in fact this is a sequel (of sorts) to the low-budget and lesser-known sci-fi thriller "Pitch Black" in which Diesel's Riddick was introduced. At least that film had the sense to build its story around characterization and suspense, and while "Pitch Black's" Riddick was a formidable killer, he was never the ultra-cool superman of TCOR. If the filmmakers make the next entry in this series more like that, maybe it'll be worth seeing. Regrettably, "Chronicles" isn't. A messy, but fun, "epic" adventure. The Chronicles of Riddick, the "sequel" to Pitch Black, is not really your standard summer movie fare, and although I had a blast watching it, I think it is safe to say that it's a little to ambitious for its own good. Let's start with what works: The script and direction (both by David Twohy) are excellent all around. Cinematography is fantastic, as is production design (even if it is a little too reminiscent of Dune and Stargate). Vin Diesel absolutely OWNS the Riddick charcater, Alexa Davalos is effective (and easy on the eyes) as an all-grown-up Jack, now called Kyra. Nick Chinlund as the Merc Toombs is a riot (and reminds me alot of Ron Pearlmans "Johner" charcter from Alien Resurrection), and Judi Dench is enjoyable as Aereon even though shes given little screen time. The effects are impressive, though a little overused in the first few moments of the film. Everything on the planet prison Crematoria. Thhese are the sections of the film that are most like Pitch Black, as far as putting Riddick back in his element and letting him be a badass. Like most of Graeme Revells work, the score is very nice, especially the reprise of the main theme from Pitch Black. What Doesnt Work: The race of Necromongers. Aparently the necromongers are the only race with weapons, because with the ease that Kyra and Riddick tear through them, it would seem to me that any planet with a decent military would be able to defeat them. Colm Feore as Lord Marshal is just a weak villain. His reasons and motivations are never made known to us, and beside the oddly animated power to rip the souls from people and move fast, he really doesnt present any threat. The Furions. What are they, where did they come from, why do they seem to have mystical powers (i.e. riddicks EyeShine). None of this information is told to us, leaving us to speculate until Twohy decides to make the next film in the series. !!!!SPOILER WARNING!!!! The systematic killing off of every interesting character except Riddick. First Kieth Davis as Imam, then Toombs (supposed as it is unseen), then Kyra. What was the point in this? Imams death was completely pointless, and as we never see his wife and daughter grieve for him, it leave you with the impression that this didnt affect them. Toombs' death while unseen, and purely speculative, still kind of irks me, though hopefully he did manage to escape and will return in the next installment. Which brings us to Kyra, the most likeable character in the film. Her death is the most offensive, and forced death in the film. Though I can understand the significance of it (to show that riddick does care about her). I just cant help but fell that her absence will be all too apparant in subsequent films. She would have been very complimentary to riddick. !!!!END SPOILER!!!! Now, maybe this is all part of Diesel and Twohys master plan, maybe this film is supposed to leave us with more questi VISUAL DELIGHT I HAVE WATCHED PITCH BLACK MORE TIMES THAN I CAN COUNT. RIDDICK'S CHARACTER FASCINATES AND HAUNTS ME. SO MANY OF US ARE ISOLATED AND DOING WHATEVER IS NECESSARY TO SURVIVE - R.B.R. IS A MIRROR THAT MANY OF US NEED TO LOOK INTO IN ORDER TO FIND OUR OWN COURAGE TO CHANGE. CHRONICLES OF RIDDICK BRINGS US FORWARD IN TIME AND UPWARD IN SCOPE. NOW, RATHER THAN SAVING A FEW HE IS CALLED ON TO SAVE MANY. HIS ACTIONS WILL HAVE REPERCUSSIONS - LIKE RIPPLES IN A LAKE. WE HAVE NO IDEA WHERE THEY WILL END. NEITHER DOES HE. MY ONLY CRITISISM, WHICH HAS BEEN ECHOED FREQUENTLY, IS THAT MUCH WAS LEFT UNSAID AND UNEXPLAINED. I HAVE HIGH HOPES THAT THIS WILL BE RECITIFED IN THE NEXT CHAPTER. IN ANY EVENT THE VISUAL ARTISTRY OF THIS FILM IS UNPARALLELED. THE ACTING IS DIRECT AND POWERFULLY EFFECTIVE. DIALOGUE IS LEAN, CRISP AND TO THE POINT. FX ARE FLUID. IT IS A MUST WATCH - AND AT LEAST 3 OR 4 TIMES - TO TRULY APPRECIATE THE WORK THAT HAS GONE INTO IT. SUSPEND YOUR DISBELIEF, FASTEN YOUR SEAT BELTS AND ENJOY THE RIDE!!!! Buy The Chronicles Of Riddick at Amazon.com Buy posters at Allposters.com Jamster - the latest ringtones for your phone!  Search with Walhello on the Internet on The Chronicles Of Riddick Search with the Priority Search Engine on The Chronicles Of Riddick This page in other languages: Suomeksi | Nederlands | Deutsch
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