In 2000, a tight little under-the-radar scifi action thriller graced cinemas. Pitch Black introduced the character Richard B. Riddick, his gravelly narration revealing a bit of a poet undergirding the faux-cold heart of an interstellar convicted felon on the way back to prison. The ship transporting him would crash, stranding him with a motley group of survivors who would be forced to turn to him and each other when the unique conditions on the place their ship was resting would find themselves under siege by vicious alien predators. This film also introduced many of us to the lovely Claudia Black as Sharon "Shazza" Montgomery, a geologist. Other pertinent characters included were Imam Abu al-Walid, Rhiana Griffith as Jack/Jackie and Cole Hauser as Johns, a guy who at first appears to be a cop bringing Riddick to justice. Well, it all went down and lots of people died, but most of the above characters joined Riddick in the sequel, The Chronicles of Riddick. That movie went far more in depth into the elements of Riddick's universe, his origins, some of the factions operating in his universe and so on. But it was so huge, and so...so...that some thought this epic (or bloated, depending on your perspective) vision got to far away from the taut efficiency that marked the first film.
So, Vin Diesel and director David Twohy moved heaven and earth and used their own resources to make this third film. It is clear that they both love the material and the character. Also, Vin Diesel, if you know anything about him, is the fanboy of fanboys and loves the imaginative genres. Riddick is one of his personal quests to make a contribution to genre film. For both men, the Riddick stories are very personal, and they show a lot of heart both in the making as well in the supporting.
Well, TCoR did introduce a very intriguing backdrop upon which Riddick was operating. At the end of the second film, Riddick was the Lord Marshall of the Necromongers, the crusaders of a particular faith in Riddick's universe. They do touch on Riddick's ending in that film, even so far as to bring back Karl Urban as Vaako. But...it seems they can't get away from all that complicated metaphysical foofery and want to retreat back to the leanness of the first film. They arrange for Riddick to leave the Necromongers and strand him on another planet. With another zeno-predatorial problem. And another crew to share in the slaughter, this time, two competing teams of mercs/bounty hunters who have shown up to collect Riddick's scalp (the bounty is higher if collected dead). We meet the father of Johns from the first film, who has a personal stake in this, wanting to find the final fate of Riddick. We also get introduced to a character played by Katee Sackoff (Dahl). She is competent, lethal and it is implied she is a lesbian, but more likely bi, as at least badboy loners do twang her guitar strings. Oh, and she also has very lovely bosoms, for the record.
Riddick is a decent flick. It is fun to watch Vin Diesel playing this character he loves and it is great to see this series continuing (rumor has it that Dahl, Ms. Sackoff's character, may get her own film). However, apparently feeling chastened from the departure that was The Chronicles, they ran all the way back to the well and submerged themselves and made a film that was almost beat for beat the first one. That is not a step in confidence.
This one is purely for Riddick fans, of which I am one. It is great to see this universe again, too. Just don't be afraid to show more of it. Riddick has a great playground to play in and...let's play. But keep it in moderation.
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