Pitch Black 2: The Chronicles of Riddick Review
by Joel B. Kirk (joelkirk AT sbcglobal DOT net)June 21st, 2004
Chronicles of Riddick
A film review by Joel B. Kirk
SUMMARY:
Riddick is enlisted to save the universe from evil Necromongers, who destroy planets if the inhabitants do not convert to their way of thinking.
MY TAKE:
This is a sequel to the cult film 'Pitch Black,' a film which somewhat propelled Vin Diesel(BOILER ROOM, THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS) into stardom.
With the deep baritone, and cool exterior, Diesel's Richard B. Riddick is always one step ahead of those who don't think twice with who they are dealing with.
Riddick would remind one of Snake Plissken from the films of John Carpenter: 'Escape from New York' and 'Escape from L.A.' The anti-hero who doesn't take B.S., and won't admit a soft-side for those in need. Not too mention, like the Plissken character, Riddick seems to always have unwanted attention from renegades out to get him. In Riddick's case, its bounty hunters looking to collect pay for his deliverance to the nearest penal colony.
Karl Urban (LORD OF THE RINGS: THE TWO TOWERS, LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RETURN OF THE KING) is Vaako, a puppet by his wife Dame Vaako portrayed by Thandie Newton, dressed in tight, form-fitting gowns.
Judi Dench ('M' of the Pierce Brosnan James Bond films, MRS. BROWN, SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE, IRIS) is Aereon, the 'Elemental' who believes Riddick is the chosen one to stop the evil Necromongers from converting innocents.
Colm Feore is Lord Marshal, an imposing man, leader of the Necromongers, able to steal souls from victims.
Keith David returns as Imam, the Muslim gentleman, who was the 'voice of reason,' from the first film.
David Twohy (THE ARRIVAL, PITCH BLACK) seems to take B-movie ideas, and make them an 'A' look. This film knows what it is: an action sci-fi flick. It doesn't insult the audience, nor does it give the audience too much cerebral material. It's a film that gives us a believable, fun story, with an imposing character—Riddick—to root for.
POSTIVE/NEGATIVE NITPICKS:
Graeme Revell's Riddick theme, carried over from 'Pitch Black' makes an appearance.
Also, Vin Diesel shares producer credit, partly responsible for getting Judi Dench on the cast roster, and a good move it was.
In the film, the Necromongers use eerie humanoid trackers (possibly genetically engineered), adding a certain alien menace to the villains. No name is given to them, but it seems when the Necromongers rapage a world, these 'trackers' are used to snuff out those who may be in hiding. They do this by noticing the heat body temperatures.
FINAL COMMENTS:
Bring on the Riddick sequel. An anime (following the Wachowski brothers and their 'Matrix' anime spinoff: 'AniMatrix') has been produced called CHRONICLES OF RIDDICK: DARK FURY, showing what happened in between PITCH BLACK and CHRONICLES OF RIDDICK.
MY RATING:
***1/2 out of *****
DIRECTOR:
David Twohy
WRITER(S):
David Twohy (writer)
Jim Wheat (characters)
Ken Wheat (characters)
CAST:
Vin Diesel-Riddick
Colm Feore-Lord Marshal
Judi Dench-Aereon
Karl Urban-Vaako
Alexa Davalos-Kyra
Linus Roache-Purifier
Keith David-Imam
Nick Chinlund-Toombs
GENRE:
Sci-fi/Action
RUNNING TIME:
119 minutes
YEAR OF RELEASE:
2004 by Universal Pictures
EMAIL:
[email protected]
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