Review – Riddick

Richard B. Riddick, the bad-ass space criminal played by the bad-ass Vin Diesel, is back in a new adventure in an attempt to reinvigorate the franchise that fell flat after The Chronicles of Riddick in 2004. It’s a back-to-basics story with Riddick abandoned on a planet populated by monstrous aliens and having to get in touch with his wild side in order to escape.

Anyone who has watched Pitch Black (the first film in the series) will find this all very familiar. Once again Riddick is a lone wolf who must forge an uneasy alliance with some mercenaries and bounty hunters in order to survive. The result of this simple formula is fun science fiction with decent action sequences, nice CGI and the type of gory violence that receives cheers from the audience.

The fussy film fan will likely be left unsatisfied by the thin plot and two-dimensional characters (the tough-but-sexy mercenary, the wily Latino, the weathered Captain) but audience members who are eager for some escapism will find plenty to have fun with. It was enjoyable to hang out with Riddick once again, who is a character that is interesting to watch and fun to root for, so if the film makes enough money we’ll certainly be seeing him again soon.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GcklHiZqcjM&w=400]