THE CHRONICLES OF RIDDICK
(a.k.a. Pitch Black 2)MPAA Rating:
 for intense sequences of violent action and some languageReviewed by: Vicki Ross Offensive
Moviemaking Quality:
Primary Audience:
Teens and Adults
Genre:
Science Fiction, Action/Adventure, Thriller
Length:
1 hr 59 min.
Year of Release:
2004
USA Release:
______
       Relevant Issues
 How can I deal with temptations? Answer Should I save sex for marriage? Answer How far is too far? What are the guidelines for dating relationships? Answer What are the consequences of sexual immorality? Answer  T he story opens as Riddick (Vin Diesel), five years after getting off of the desert planet in Pitch Black, is being chased by a group of mercenaries. The group’s intention is to return Riddick to Helion Prime, where his ability to escape certain death will be used to combat the Necromongers — a race of people dedicated (through “mind regression”) to their Lord Marshal (Colm Feore), a “Holy Half-Dead,” who is quite a powerful being. The Necromongers refer to the Underverse, which is appropriately named, as the Necromongers are quite an evil race, converting people or killing them in the name of their “faith.” Action and intrigue ensue as Riddick attends to personal business (finding “Jack”) while doing his best to avoid being captured. Power-hungry Dame Vaako and her husband, Lord Vaako, play a big role in this movie as they work to determine Riddick’s importance to Lord Marshal. This film contains some profanity (mostly s**t, also a**, 1-2 f-words), and the name of the Lord is used in vain a few times. The film contains moderate to heavy violence and a couple of gruesome deaths (showing that too much sun can indeed kill you). The violence isn’t bloody. The film contains no sex/nudity, only a few innuendos and several women dressed in snug-fitting clothes. The camera work in this film during the fight scenes makes it quite difficult to actually see what is happening. The special effects are quite good; the acting is average. Thandie Newton is not very convincing in her role as Dame Vaako. Karl Urban has such presence in his role as Lord Vaako. The film contains a good reference to life after death and a reference to faith: Per the Holy Man: “There will be an afterlife for me; what will there be for you?” The only way to eternal life is through Jesus Christ: “And this is the way to have eternal life — to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one you sent to earth” [John 17:3, NLT] On the subject of faith, a Helion Prime man refuses to trade his faith (Lord Marshal says “Convert or Die”) and dies for it. “Remain faithful, even when facing death” [Rev 2:10] In summary, this is an entertaining action flick with a good story line. It is much better than its predecessor Pitch Black. Violence: Moderate /Profanity: Moderate / Sex/Nudity: None Read our review of Pitch Black 1  Neutral - This movie was good at what it was intended to be: A pointless, plotless, fun, action flick. The most offensive thing in the movie is not the violence itself, but rather the attitude in the movie toward violence. At one point in the movie killing the most of the enemy is made into a “game.” And although this fuels the excitement as you sit back and watch the arrogant protagonists take on their foes, the apathy towards killing portrayed is definitely a negative side to movie. Besides that aspect, the movie is very exiting, full of intense action scenes, and delivers well for its genre. It’s enjoyable if you like plotless action movies. The lack of sex was also a plus. Neutral - Riddick was another Summer Blockbuster that never delivered. The plot was acceptable, although not particularly engrossing. The acting was OK, although there was no real depth to it. There were plenty of scenes of harsh landscapes, surreal space cities, and marching iron-clad troops. There was a good deal of action, but very little violence or real martial
arts - just lots of computer-generated fighting. There was some swearing
(I’ve seen films rated R for language only with less swearing in them),
and no sex. Overall, the film never brought together the good elements to
get the excitement going, not to mention that the plot, characters, and
action had a very flat 2d feel to it. Overall, I wouldn’t recommend this
film except to those who have to see every sci-fi flick that comes out, or
are huge Vin Diesel fans. Neutral - I went and saw this movie last night, not having seen Pitch Black
all the way through, it was fairly decent. It did have some language and
a lot of fighting scenes. I would not recommend children going to see this
movie, but if your into that sci-fi movie then it was a pretty good movie.
And Ven Diesel was hilarious. Positive -I saw this movie last night and it rocked. The way the movie start
to finish is good. Vin diesel is excellent in this movie he really
plays his role of Riddick again very well. I like that in this movie they
go to different planets they are not stuck on the one planet although for
the first movie that was ok it was the story line. They didn’t do as many
shots of Riddicks point of view through his eyes but other then that it
was a good movie. The fight scenes are excellent and the special
effects are just awesome…
There are a ton less bad words in this movie
compared to the first movie there still are some s*** words and a few
others but not near compared to the first movie. This movie keep you
interested until the end it doesn’t let you down half way through. Now I
would not take a young kid to see this movie because there are some visual
effects that could scare a kid such as when the sun on the one planet gets
so hot it melts and burns everything it comes in
contact with including people… also some scenes were the lord of the negromungers comes out of
his body because he is half dead and that might be scary but for
teenagers and above its cool. There is no sex scene no nude scenes or
anything of the sort…this is just a good action flick that has
some great shots and camera work in it. The special effects are just
really good they make the movie very believable from the super fast sun
rise to the space ships and just overall the movie has a great movie
quality… Negative - Has anyone tried to figure out the symbolism of this movie.
The crusaders (Necromongers) are an evil force who travel the universe to
convert or kill every man. They resemble knights from the crusades but
with a hellish twist. Their architecture looks like Satan did a makeover
to a Cathedral. Their leader “the Lord Marshal” has seen the underverse
and is a “Holy half dead.” Is he a twisted Christ figure trying to
convert the world and force them to his authority or is he the beast and
is this Satan’s unholy Christ? Is he meant to be both?
The good men of faith believe that men have all kinds of faiths and that
is good. The holy man that Riddick has a weird affection for resembles a
Muslim and lives in New Mecca. These men of diverse faiths (even though
they resemble middle eastern faiths) are willing to use the most defiant
man and his anger to reach their goal and this is okay. Riddick is a
(Fury on) so is this movie saying that the Fury of man can stop Heaven
and or Hell? Positive - The above comment are the first I’ve seen from ANY reviewer,
professional or amatuer, who is even close to understanding this film.
The allegory plunges deeply into Christian History from first opening shot
of a three-faced statue clearly representing the Christian Trinity, to the
armour-clad Nevromongers taking over a Muslim city. [Good/4] —Greg Hartley, age 30 Positive - [Non-Christian] I agree with Greg here. This film can be seen on two levels, much
like Star Wars, the previously mentioned Matrix, Star Trek or the Lord of
the Rings (though I do not think that it is cinematically on a par with
those films); either as a “dumb” action flick, or as a highly symbolic
portrayal of the dark side of Christian ambition; the name of the faith
based on the teachings of Yeshua bin Iosef turned horribly inside out,
twisted and burnt by people who are terribly narrow-minded and only want
personal power. A good example of this can be seen in the machinations of
Lord Vaal; he wants the position of Grand Marshall, not because of his
faith, but because of his desire for power. It is the power he wants, not
the honor or the responsibility. The only central character who I saw as
being basically wasted was Jack. She wasn’t really necessary for most of
the story. It seemed as if the writers were trying to create a Simon
Peter/Doubting Thomas character, but they didn’t flesh her out enough. Comments from young people
Neutral - This movie was TERRIBLE! It was the most boring movie! I will be
fair by saying it did not abolish God in any way, but it truly is a waste
of time. Always try and fill your minds with things that glorify God. Positive - I watched this movie the day it came in theatres with my brother.
Both of us absolutely loves the movie. There are a few cuss words in the
movie, thus the rating of PG-13. I think that this is a very good movie
for people (13 or older) who enjoy action movies. This, like many other
movies, can be used to strengthen your faith in Jesus Christ. Yes, there
are also ways to turn the script into another religion, but many things in
the movie, such as the Holy Man and the defeat over evil, reminded me that
God will prevail in the end. Neutral - One should look at this movie as it is, and not as what it could
be. The main character, Riddick, is an antihero, and one that has few
cares beyond that of himself and the girl known as Jack/Kyra. The film
itself is simply an action movie, and nothing more. Personally, I enjoyed
it for being just that, an action movie. The violence is fast-paced and
isn’t wanton or gratuitous. Riddick, of course, kills several dozens of
people with knives and other various weapons, as does Kyra, along with
many of the Necromongers. The profanity was appropriate to the tone of
the film, and was not excessive by any means. Overall, it is a fine, exhilarating action film, but it isn’t for
children. Positive - All in all I enjoyed this film; it had some great special effects, a good story, and awesome action sequences. It did have some objectionable content in it though, including language, but just ignore it, you hear it everyday and to expect movies not to have language is unrealistic. Their was some violence, but in the end it can be justified due to circumstances the characters are in. Positive - This was a true action adventure film …for almost all ages. I recommend this film to any one able to see it. Two thumbs way up!! Positive - I liked this movie it was great. Yes, it had bad words in it, but that is nothing new. I don’t recommend this movie for anyone under the age of 13. It was good and it had a story too it. It wasn’t slow and moved
right along. Over all it was a good action/ thriller movie. Movie Critics
“…this movie is a toned down, less intelligent version of THE MATRIX…” “…One use of the f-word and about 10 of the s-word. Jesus' name is improperly used twice, and there are a few milder profanities such as “h--,” “a--” and “d--n.” “…although The Chronicles of Riddick offers its share of solidly entertaining moments, it doesn’t hold together as a single, coherent motion picture experience…” |
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