In keeping with its action-oriented roots, The Chronicles of Riddick begins with a slow open. This is quickly followed by a fast-paced sequence that goes a long way to re-establishing Riddick (Vin Diesel) as the anti-hero first seen in Pitch Black.
Riddick is being hunted by mercenaries after someone on Helion Prime put a price on his head. He steals the mercenaries' ship and heads to New Mecca. There he meets Imam (Keith David) and learns why there's a bounty on him.
Riddick is wanted to fulfil a prophecy by ending the threat the Necromongers pose to the galaxy. As it turns out, the Necromongers are an army of religious fanatics whose leader saw another universe, the Underverse, and returned "half dead". Only a Furyan can defeat their leader; so it's just as well Riddick turns out to be one.
David Twohy's Script Reveals A Heavy Dune Influence
If all this sounds a little formulaic, that's because it is. There is very little new in The Chronicles of Riddick and it can be fun to try to pick out all the references to other science-fiction franchises. The religious army with special powers could have stepped right out of Frank Herbert'sDune series and this is especially noticeable during Riddick's battle with the Lord Marshall (Colm Feore). The scene is highly reminiscent of Paul Atredies' climactic battle with Feyd.
That's not to say the film is not enjoyable, it's just that there's little to make anyone really sit up and take notice. The script, by writer-director David Twohy, shares the same wit and pacing that viewers will have come to expect from the writer of both Pitch Black and the Harrison Ford version of The Fugitive.
Unfortunately, the script also shares the writer's poor grasp of physics. The prison planet of Crematoria is particularly irksome in this regard; what with not only having an atmosphere that ignites whenever the sun hits it but also somehow remains breathable and manages to cool down quickly enough from 700 degrees to enable a chase sequence harking back to Pitch Black.
The Costume Design is an Excellent Mixture of Warhammer and Ancient Rome
Nevertheless, the film surpasses itself in set design and costumes. The Necromonger armour is amazing. In close-up, all its wonderful detailing is visible and from afar, its imposing nature becomes clear. It looks like the set designer grabbed a handful of Warhammer 40,000 space marines and melted them in a pot with lashings of Imperial Roman armour, yet despite this, it really does work.
In terms of direction, the film fares as well as its art design. David Twohy has left little to fault. Action sequences are filmed in a very clear yet engaging style so the viewer is always clear about what is going on, and the modern demon "shaky cam" is nowhere to be seen; which is to be applauded.
Compared to the often claustrophobic Pitch Black, Twohy has managed to give a feeling of immense space and desolateness in Chronicles of Riddick that really adds to the atmosphere of the film. Where the direction is really let down is in the Macbeth-inspired scenes that are so necessary for the plot.
Mediocre Acting Held Together Only by Vin Diesel and Alexa Davalos
This is partly the fault of the script but it is also the fault of the actors. Vin Diesel plays the part of sociopath Riddick as well as would be expected, but most of the cast seem to be aware that they are in a film that audiences won't take all that seriously, and are playing up to this fact. Even Dame Judi Dench, paying the ghost-like Aereon, looks like she 'phoned in her performance.
Of the supporting cast, newcomer Alexa Davalos stands out the most as Riddick-wannabee Kyra but perhaps this is because her angry at the world character requires little in terms of depth, putting expectations for her on a par with Vin Diesel himself.
Thandie Newton playing the film's Lady Macbeth stand-in, Dame Varko, is, however, highly disappointing. Although it is clear her character should be as calculating and emotionless as Riddick, Newton's performance is simply flat. The overall effect is that she is simply acting by numbers and her scenes fail as a result.
Despite its flaws and occasional slow pace, The Chronicles of Riddick is an enjoyable film with excellent set and consume design. The universe is wonderfully realised and although anyone with any knowledge of physics (or Shakespeare) will find many aspects of the film jarring, there is still enough here to make it a worthy rental.
3/5
The Chronicles of RiddickStarring Vin DieselWritten by David TwohyDirected by David TwohyRunning time: 119 minutes
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