Film Review: Riddick

Riddick. Rated MA15+ (strong violence and coarse language). 118 minutes. Written and directed by David Twohy.

Verdict: Vin Diesel’s loveable rogue Riddick stars in this entertaining deep space outing.

Beginning with Pitch Black (2000) and followed by The Chronicles of Riddick (2004), this third instalment in the series of films about wanted criminal Richard B Riddick (Vin Diesel) is an invigorating, entertaining and, at times, fantastically inventive affair.

If there is a distinct disadvantage in not having seen the first two films (a character from Pitch Black is referenced extensively), there is still much to enjoy about Twohy’s (the first two films and the chilling A Perfect Getaway) determination to expertly and efficiently mine the sci-fi/wild west-inspired world he has created.

Abandoned on a desolate planet, Riddick activates an emergency beacon in the hope that a passing spaceship will rescue him from the planet’s hostile predators. Two spaceships eventually arrive, but onboard are bounty hunters determined to capture Riddick and take his head back to the powers that be ‘in a box’. While our ever-resourceful anti-hero sets out to turn the tables on his foes, the planet’s ferocious alien creatures threaten to exterminate them all.

Riddick works successfully on many levels, but mostly courtesy of David Eggby’s (Pitch Black, Mad Max) moody and atmospheric cinematography, and some excellent creature action – especially the amphibious scorpion-like predators that star in much of the film’s early action set pieces, only to make an unforgettable return later.

The excellent supporting cast of marauding hunters features an impressive turn from ex-Sydney-based Rugby League footballer Matt Nable as Boss Johns (the father of Pitch Black’s villain William) who leads one group of bounty hunters, and Jordi Mollà as Santana, the unpredictable leader of the opposing group.

Ultimately though, it’s impossible to ignore Vin Diesel’s mutually reciprocal love affair with the camera. While you are either a Vin Diesel fan or you’re not, it is clear he has a genuine affinity with the titular character, and brings him to life with gravel-voiced flair and marvellously under-stated humour.

This review was commissioned by the West Australian Newspaper Group.