The Chronicles of Riddick (2004)

Plot of Chronicles of Riddick: Riddick is captured by bounty hunters but escapes and makes it to Helion Prime in their space ship. There he becomes involved in an invasion by the Necromancers, a race of military people who demand submission on the defeated Helions. Riddick kills some of them and escapes, only to be recaptured by Toombs the chief bounty hunter, and it taken to Crematoria a planet which is incinerated during its daylight hours. He is incarcerated underground and meets people who are prepared to follow him  but they are confronted by Necromongers, and only he survives to return to Helion Prime and confront the Necromonger leader. Will he survive?

Content: No sex or nudity, but a lot of smoking. The Necromongers wear decorative armour, which actually don’t seem to protect them very well. There is a lot of hand to hand fighting. The Necromonger ships and their environment is impressive, sort of steam punk. Riddick moves between these different environments mostly killing people. So we have set pieces on Helion Prime, on the surface of Cremetoria and underground on Cremetoria. At one point underground feral creatures are allowed to enter to feed on the prisoners.

A View: Although this film took quite a bit of money, it also cost a lot, so probably lost out in the end. Vin Diesel was nominated for Worst Actor at the Razzies. It was not much liked by the critics, or me actually. Although I liked the Necromonger environment, the idea of having people wear armour when firearms are available is complete nonsense, and really I’m with Judi Dench, I never really understood what was going on either. So not really a watch even for nothing, but the next one of the franchise is a lot better.

Fun Fact: Dame Judi Dench said that she never really understood what was going on in the movie, but she enjoyed the experience….