Good things apparently come in threes. Nothing says ‘success’ than an on-going franchise lasting the distance. For every Men in Black 3 however, there’s a Godfather Part 3 with the money-spinning aims not always hitting the target. Riddick generally avoids this as it adheres to the qualities that made its first entry so memorable. Having a more compelling story than its first sequel, the Riddick series returns with a spring in its action-packed step.
Abandoned on a desolate planet, wanted criminal Riddick (Vin Diesel) yearns to return home. In between surviving on a harsh terrain he seeks a way out. This he finds at an outpost where he sends an emergency signal. What he thinks is help arriving turns out to be two ships full of bounty hunters. Among them are Santana (Jordi Molla) and Boss Johns (Matt Nable) who are determined to obtain the price on his head. With the hunter becoming the hunted, Riddick sets out to eradicate his enemies with ferocious zeal.
Riddick goes for a ‘back to basics’ approach, discarding its predecessor’s complexity. It’s a straight down the line action flick unapologetic in its aims. It mostly works with Diesel conveying some genuine conflicted emotions in his anti-heroic character. Riddick is certainly not an acting piece but it at least makes a good attempt in making the protagonists appear three dimensional. Even the so-called villains may not be what they seem with some surprises arising.
David Twohy’s direction generally keeps events moving. Whilst occasionally slow, the narrative picks up once the bounty hunters arrive. A little more explanation in how Riddick came to be in his predicament would have helped but overall Riddick has a solid story. The CGI is suitably eye-popping which is amazing given the small budget. Using a dash of Alien and Bladerunner, the production team ensure the money is shown on screen with the action scenes becoming their major and exciting calling card.
Riddick is a great improvement on the last film. Tense and fast moving it cements Diesel’s place among the action heroes he has tried hard to emulate.
Reviewed by Patrick Moore
Rating out of 10: 7
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