Riddick

Well after the morning I had I was looking forward to a spot of escapism..

I've seen both 'Pitch Black' and 'The Chronicles Of Riddick', so I was familiar with Vin Diesels character.  The problem with this film (or one of the problems) was that it was basically a remake of the first film.. They obviously thought that formula worked better than the sprawling, space opera that was Chronicles. And I can see where they're coming from. Pitch Black was a stripped down, survival thriller and more character driven. Here they tried to do the same thing... And initially it nearly paid off.. 

We find our protagonist left for dead on a barren wasteland planet.  There's a bit of backstory of how he was duped by Dredd himself (Karl Urban) but really that was just to tie up the loose ends.  After all, at the end of Chronicles he was lord and master of the universe... nearly..

Anyway, the first half of the film Riddick settles in by meeting the neighbours (immunising himself against their venom) and getting himself a dog. The next half the mercenaries turn up and we're back to Pitch Black territory.. 

The problem for me (besides the direct rip off of itself!?) was the script. It was pretty poor. I know you shouldn't expect much, after all its a B movie. But some of it was terrible.. On the plus side the planet looks nice. The CGI is on par for a film of this budget and its mildly entertaining. 

Overall though its another 'meh' film in a summer of 'meh' films..

Rating **

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