After Pitch Black (2000) and The Chronicles of Riddick (2004) comes the third instalment Riddick. In flashback David Twohy informs the audience that Riddick (Vin Diesel) is unhappy as the leader of the Necromongers and wants to return to Furya. He makes a deal with Necromonger commander Vaako (Karl Urban) to give up the throne for a safe passage to his home planet. However, Riddick finds himself on a desolate, sun-scorched planet that is not Furya.
For the first 20 minutes of the movie the audience is shown how Riddick manages to survive on this planet that at first glance appears isolated but is actually inhabited by alien creatures including vicious scorpions and wild dogs. There is hardly any dialogue in this part of the movie making it all the more interesting as the viewer gets to absorb the planet’s environment. Riddick’s profile is also developed in this part as one gets to know what he does and how he goes about defending himself in such hostile conditions.
Soon however Riddick realises that it is time he gets out of this place as it is unsafe for him. The only way he can ever get away from this planet is if he signals the mercenaries. No sooner he signals the mercenaries his whereabouts than we see two ships arriving on the planet. Riddick’s plan is to ride to Furya in one of these ships.
One ship is led by bounty hunter Santana (Jordi Molla) and the other by Johns (Matt Nable) who has a personal reason to meet Riddick. Dahl (Katee Sackhoff from Battlestar Galactica reboot) who is with Johns is the lone lady in the movie. Once landed they start searching for Riddick. Both the teams are hell-bent on finding him first for different reasons. However, they are not aware that this planet is home to wild creatures immensely powerful.
Soon, Riddick is caught and chained. However, just when they think that they have gotten hold of him, the creatures attack. Now, it is up to Riddick who makes a deal with Johns to ward of this threat. Will they be able to do so? Riddick has enough twists and turns and is reasonably fast-paced to keep the viewer interested.
If one likes sci-fi movies, then this one is right down the alley. There is plenty of action in the second half of the movie that viewers will lap up. All in all a nice Friday night entertainer.
What do you think?