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Diesel's performance fuels 'Chronicles of Riddick'
By MICHAELBRUNTZ
Thursday, Jun 10, 2004 - 09:59:53 pm CDT
Apparently Universal Studios and "Pitch Black" co-writer David Twohy felt that riding the muscles of Vin Diesel all the way to the box office would be a recipe for success.
A relatively unknown Diesel starred in the 1999 sci-fi thriller "Pitch Black" as escaped convict Richard B. Riddick, whose attitude and affinity for survival made for a dark and suspenseful thrill ride.
Twohy and company built the sequel, "The Chronicles of Riddick," around Diesel and the Riddick character, who has become a kinder, more likable anti-hero with an affinity for dropping contrived one-liners.
The movie picks up with Riddick running from mercenaries after spending the past five years hiding from bounty hunters on an icy planet.
He defeats the mercenaries, steals their ship and goes after the only people who knew where he was hiding. While there, he is visited by several beings, including an Elemental (Judi Dench), a ghost-like being with the ability to float and move through objects.
The Elemental comes looking for Riddick because he is the last of a race of beings called Furyians. A prophecy foretold that a lone Furyian would defeat the Necromongers, a race of religious militant superhumans conquering the universe planet by planet.
The film progresses predictably, with several adventures on a sun-scorched planet as a buildup to the final showdown between Diesel and the leader of the Necromongers, who takes people's souls and possesses Matrix-like quickness and strength.
The special effects and in-your-face fight scenes dare people not to watch and compensate for a predictable plot and weak main character.
The title character becomes the emotional focus of the film, and fans of "Pitch Black" will find Riddick to be a reluctant hero who seems slightly laid back for someone with the fate of the universe in his hands.
Diesel has all the tools to be a successful action hero. His gruff voice and hulking arms do well to enhance a rugged image while giving the film edge and attitude.
But in "Riddick," Diesel follows the path blazed by action movie stars like Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone, who possessed the look and attitude but became almost laughable when dropping campy one-liners after mowing through a pack of weaker enemies.
A strong supporting cast headed by Dench lends credibility to the film and provides a needed break from the high-energy fight scenes that flood the movie when Diesel dominates the screen.
And this character may not be done yet. Twohy has expressed interest in making "Riddick" part of a trilogy, which is clear from the movie's ending.
Sci-fi fans looking for a deep plot with lots of twists and turns will be disappointed.
Those looking for two hours of entertainment should watch with an empty mind and enjoy the fight scenes.
Reach Michael Bruntz at 473-7254 or mbruntz@;journalstar.com.
The Chronicles of Riddick
HH
Director: David Director: David Twohy
Stars: Vin Diesel, Colm Feore, Thandie Newton, Judi Dench, Karl Urban
Rated: PG-13
Now Showing: Plaza, Edgewood
The Reel Story: Diesel reprises his role as Richard B. Riddick, whose goal is to rid the universe of evil, in a sci-fi thriller that compensates for a weak plot with lots of action.
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