The Chronicles of Riddick film review

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THE CHRONICLES OF RIDDICK

It's been five years since Vin Diesel became a star with the low-budget sci-fi hit Pitch Black and now he's back to reprise the central character of Riddick along with director David Twohy at the reins. Whereas Pitch Black was a stylish and clever affair, the sequel has all the signs of advanced Hollywood-itis, being heavy on special effects, budget (presumably for both the film itself and Diesel's salary), shootouts and notably low on its most important facet, a decent script. Nevertheless, there's plenty for diehard action fans to enjoy.

We first see Riddick five years after the events of Pitch Black, sporting a straggly beard and evading capture from a spaceship full of mercs (the film is big on shorthand names) who are intent on capturing him for the bounty on his head. After foiling their plan and stealing their craft, Riddick heads for Helion, a multicultural society under threat from the terrifying Necromonger race, who come equipped with the handy power to remove humans' souls. Wanting total global domination, the Necromongers capture Riddick and force him to undergo regression therapy, which is useful for anyone who hasn't seen the first film. He escapes and there's a cat and mouse chase which sees him land in jail. The mercs reappear, Riddick plans a breakout and an ultimate battle of good and evil inevitably ensues.

Judi Dench flits in and out as the wise Aereon who has the power to disappear at will delivering sombre lines such as 'evil should be fought by another kind of evil'. Despite giving it her best Obi-Wan Kenobi, it seems more likely that she has wandered in from the set of A Comedy of Errors in the next door studio, and her role in the film can only be put down to her following the Ian McKellen pension plan and grabbing the Hollywood dollar while she can. Diesel, meanwhile is all slo-mo running around in his glasses, equipped with his gravel voice and acting which mainly consists of outstretching his arms in a 'come and get me' fashion.