By George C. Gebbie

DATELINE
23rd August 2004

In this reprise of his role as the anti-hero Riddick, Vin Diesel succeeds where many others have failed.

He has made a sequel that is at least as good as the original movie that started the series. In “Pitch Black” the movie going public was introduced to Riddick, a space age killer with more muscles than a pizza marinara and smart to boot (or chib, as required).

Where “Pitch Black” took a bow in the direction of “Alien” and fell into the horror, sci-fi mould, “The Chronicles of Riddick” leans heavily in the direction of myth and legend merchants.

It borrows heavily from “Lord of The Rings” both in terms of graphics and even one of its actors, namely Karl Urban, last seen on screen as Eomer of Rohan.

Dame Judi Dench is a feminine Gandalf. You know this because she speaks her lines like the Shakespearean actress she is and apart from that she has long white robes to go with her long white hair.

Colm Feore is the baddie but it is impossible to take your eyes off the villainess of the piece, the gorgeous Thandie Newton (MI2 and ER).

Nevertheless, this film only works because of Vin Diesel. Unlike other screen musclemen this guy has a presence that comes from force of character.

His voice could launch a thousand voice-overs but above all this guy clearly has the brains to match the braun.

Visually the film is rich, with a look that blends “Star Wars Episode 1” with “Lord of the Rings”. Although the action never stops, the film does begin to run out of pace towards the end but only slightly and by then you have definitely had your money’s worth.

“The Chronicles of Riddick” opens this Friday. Enjoy!

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