I went to Riddick because my friend "really" wanted to see it. He was the only one out of 5 of us that liked it. The dialog was horrible and the acting wasn't so great. Its one thing to expect Vin to talk slow with a rough voice trying to sound badass, but EVERYBODY in the movie talked like this. It was very annoying. We did everybody in the theater a favor by letting them know how cheesy the dialog was. They would say something and we would just start giggling and next thing you know, everybody else was giggling at how bad the dialog was. I don't think they would have noticed without a little help. And what was with that one fight with all the WWF moves? We saw a clothesline, followed by a body slam, followed by an attempted tilt-a-wirl ddt which was reversed into a body slam, and followed by a fatal back breaker. CRAP!
And what was with that one fight with all the WWF moves? We saw a clothesline, followed by a body slam, followed by an attempted tilt-a-wirl ddt which was reversed into a body slam, and followed by a fatal back breaker.
Same reverse body slam was done in another favorite of mine, "Blade 2". I thought it was kind of funny. Clotheslining people in fights isn't all that uncommon.
I caught Lord Vaako's insane backbreaker, he's ruthless! He's trying to take over the throne, though that's to be expected. It's Eomer for cryin' out loud!
Now, on to the movie itself. I went expecting absolutely nothing, and I was very pleasantly surprised! The characters were extremely interesting and reminded me of something closer to "Dune", with some H.R. Giger inspired sets. Very elaborate, very futuristic.
While I really didn't see the point in Thandie Newton's character, Dame Vaako, I think all the other characters played into the story well, especially the converted Necromongers who had some very, very interesting costume designs.
Vin Diesel was on point, as he was in Pitch Black. There were merely a couple of dodgy one liners, which are to be expected in a summer blockbuster w/ an action hero, still few and far between.
To be absolutely honest, I think the best part was the end, knowing full well there was already going to be a sequel, it was a very big emotional Catch 22 for Riddick, one that should be interesting to see over the next two movies. It's nice, because you wouldn't even have to have had seen "Pitch Black" to really follow what was going to happen in this movie
That said, I'd recommend this movie to fans of Sci Fi in general. And don't bother being so analytical of it, and keep two things in mind.
One, like I said, it's a big budget Sci Fi movie based off of a cult classic hero.
Two, the dialogue isn't going to be that of some magnificent screenwriter. This is a cast of virtual unknowns, save Diesel and Dench, who nail their roles. The dialogue is going to be like that of Star Wars, Dune, Highlander. Just typical, grand scale science fiction, dealing with a hero, a villian, and a plot to take over the world.
So, leave your brain at the door, suspend reality, and give Riddick a chance if you're looking for some summertime space age fun, without having to think.
2 more things.
It was dumb that part one was more of an alien movie while this one took a u-turn and became something about religioius figures and all that crap that could float and shit. This wasn't a big deal, but just kind of odd.
But the whole necromonger brain washing thing was dumb
Spoiler:That made the whole idea of the movie irrelevent.
because it really didn't work that well. If they are being brain washed, then why would that one guy want to over take the lead position, why would the girl not have gone against Vin Diesel, and why would that one guy tell Vin Diesel to go back to the planet and then walk into the sun?
Originally posted by Myth
2 more things.It was dumb that part one was more of an alien movie while this one took a u-turn and became something about religioius figures and all that crap that could float and shit. This wasn't a big deal, but just kind of odd.
It's a totally different movie. "Pitch Black" wasn't exactly a mainstream success, but a cult classic, garnering all it's success on the rental circuit.
That said, this is all about Riddick. What was nice about "Chronicles" is that you didn't have to have seen "Pitch Black" in order to follow Riddick's story. A story like this, taking the main character from one movie, then throwing him in a totally different setting is hard to flesh out. "Army of Darkness" suffered said fate. Riddick, while staying true to Sci Fi, is still in his element. Space.
As for "religious" figures, there were none. Aereon, played by Judi Dench, was an "elemental". A whimsical being of natural elements that could probably best be compared to a genie or faerie.
But the whole necromonger brain washing thing was dumbSpoiler:That made the whole idea of the movie irrelevent.
because it really didn't work that well. If they are being brain washed, then why would that one guy want to over take the lead position, why would the girl not have gone against Vin Diesel, and why would that one guy tell Vin Diesel to go back to the planet and then walk into the sun?
Spoiler:which wasn't explained, from what I remember, then the Necromongers tracked him there.
The actual plot/idea of the movie had nothing to do with Vin Diesel going back to Crematoria. He only went there to save Jack/Kyra,
As for the Necromonger who walked out on Riddick,
Spoiler:, he simply had an epiphany when he encountered a fellow Helion in Riddick. Suppose he was tired of what he had become? It's Science Fiction, man. It's just something to progress the story, and probably show the effects of Crematoria's climate, as well as foreshadowing.
taking his own life
Lastly, as for the brainwashing, Dame Vaako, and Lord Vaako. The brainwashing made perfect sense. It was Lord Marshal's way of building his army to start the coming of the "underverse", by brainwashing the inhabitants of every planet he conquered, thus making them part of his Necromonger legion. It's pretty cut and dry. Hell, Hitler did the EXACT same thing.
Lord Vaako would want to take over the throne because he had been Marshal's right hand man all these years, and I suppose since he felt more powerful than Marshal, and being influenced to capture the throne by Dame Vaako, he wanted it all. The Necromonger creed was "You can keep what you kill". If Vaako were to kill Marshal, he gets the throne. Case closed. That would obviously have made Vaako the supereme overlord of the Necromongers. He was indeed more physically powerful, as witness in Crematoria.
Dame Vaako didn't have much of a part in this movie. I think shes just a set up character for the rest of the franchise, personally, i.e. a love interest like in Troy, where legions or individuals will fight over her at some point in time. She apparently took to Riddick and his looks and charm.
Hopefully that answers a few of your questions. Like I said, being a summer blockbuster for the masses, you can only be so critical. I think the franchise will only get better. It's been a solid 5 years since there's been a noteworthy Sci Fi movie or franchise. This is probably "the one". Pun intended.
I know its a different story and thats why I said that part wasn't a big deal. But its still odd that part one was more of a "what if we found these aliens" type movie while this one has supernatural crap in it. Its kind of odd. Kind of like my disappointment in what the Matrix did. They could do that cool stuff because they weren't in the real world. But by the end, Neo was even blowing up machines in the real world with his mind.
The Lord Marshall was pretty much the religious type thing I was talking about. He could transportate himself (along with the chick from Bond) and like I said, its kind of weird since aliens was the concentration in Pitch Black.
"Lastly, as for the brainwashing, Dame Vaako, and Lord Vaako. The brainwashing made perfect sense. It was Lord Marshal's way of building his army to start the coming of the "underverse", by brainwashing the inhabitants of every planet he conquered, thus making them part of his Necromonger legion. It's pretty cut and dry. Hell, Hitler did the EXACT same thing."
But Hitler didn't do the same thing. Dame Vaako used a machine to brainwash people, but it obviously didn't work the way it was suppose to work since 3 people went against the brainwashing.
"being a summer blockbuster for the masses, you can only be so critical" Its still a movie and if its got flaws, I'm going to point them out and be critical of it. I am glad that most of my friends weren't fans of this movie either, that way I don't have to be dragged to the next 2.
There weren't any religious undertones in the movie. Make the connection here, as we're lead to believe that both Marshal and Aereon are elementals. Marshal, given he indeed is an elemental, though it wasn't confirmed, was probably appointed the head because he had that gift.
I understand what you mean by changing plot devices, that's why the new franchise is titled something different. This is like Joey leaving "Friends", for his own show. It will be totally unrelated.
The Hitler references was in brainwashing, it was in recruiting people by his own form of brainwashing, for his legion. I understand that Marshal's machines were flawed, and it will probably be explained in the next installment.
Too bad you didn't like it. I think it will be a pretty fun franchise once all is said and done.
Well, not religious, but the elements are kind of godly which is what I meant. Its still supernatural stuff unlike Pitch Black. I also knew what you meant by the Hitler reference, but I was talking about how it was a machine that didn't do what it was suppose to do.
Anyway, did you notice how much those one guys were like Predators? The ones with the circle blue masks? They made the same breathing and clicking noises pretty much and they had similar vision as the Predators. Everytime I saw them, I just thought of Predator.
Spoiler:
We're talking about the Necromongers with the Heat Vision? I noticed that, sure, but it wasn't enough for me to draw a correlation between them and the Predator. They look nothing alike. That brand of Necromonger looked more like a deep sea diver, with that circlular, florescent pink facemask.
I don't mean to turn this personal or anything, but I am pretty sure everyone gets the idea that you disliked the movie. No need to re-emphasize it. 馃槷
I also respectfully disagree that this movie was made just for special effects. ILM is THEE leader in graphic design in cinema, this wasn't to showcase their special effects, which were actually mediocre, and not as predominate. Besides, the story is just beginning.
The movie was made to branch out on Riddick, since everyone who started following Riddick thought he was one of the most unique characters in Science Fiction. The likes of which I don't think you understand or enjoy in depth, given your Top 10 favorite movies.(I'll never understand how anyone could like pretentious, art house, woe is me, bullshit like "Lost in Translation", but that's another thread.)
Yes, it is a movie worthy of criticism, but keep in mind that summer blockbusters such as this aren't known for being thought provoking, or very technical, or in depth. It's a FUN movie, so have fun with it! If you know you won't appreciate a big budget Sci Fi movie, don't go see it!
I still believe it is the best Sci Fi movie to hit the screen since "The Matrix" in 1999.
$24 Million dollars in 2 days is automatically considered a bomb? "Pitch Black" made $39 Million period in the U.S.
Vin Diesel isn't exactly a box office draw, and considering that this is a movie about a character from an extremely obscure B movie that less than 25% of America has even heard of to begin with, I think it's a good start.
Take into consideration what other movies are only a 1-3 weeks old, while "Riddick" is debuting. "Prisoner of Azkaban", "Shrek 2", "Troy", "Van Helsing", "Day After Tomorrow", as well as "Garfield", "Saved", and "The Stepford Wives".
Most people are just now getting out to seeing "Troy" and "Van Helsing", since the crowds have died down significantly.
You guys act like Science Fiction movies usually do extremely well in the theatres? This movie has alot going against it. Lets be a little more fair in our assessments, especially after only 2 days.
If it does "bomb", bringing in less than it's budget, great. Then maybe it will get to DVD faster so people that appreciate the movie can have it that much sooner.
Originally posted by BackFire
On a side note, this movie bombed. It only made 24 million over the weekend, coming in second place to harry potter.Surprising, I thought it would make at least 50 million.
Yeah same.It only made $24,600,000. And Cinema maybe I'll go watch it again, give it another try.