RIDDICK is out on DVD!

RIDDICK

Jeri Jacquin, Movie Maven

Out on DVD from director David Twohy and Universal Pictures is the return of the man the world knows as RIDDICK.

This film tells the story of Riddick (Vin Diesel), left on a desolate planet after being turned on by Vaako (Karl Urban) once being the Necromonger’s ruler. Reaching in to find the Riddick who can handle what is to come. Getting to understand the environment of the planet, he sees something in the skies above that tell him its time to go!

Setting off a beacon he quickly gets a response from two sets of bounty hunters looking for Riddick’s reward. The first is led by Santana (Jordi Molla), a gritty heartless man who has no problem putting Riddick’s head in a box along with his crew Diaz (Dave Bautista), Lockspur (Raoul Trujillo), Vargas (Conrad Pla) and Luna (Nolan Funk).

The second landing comes from Boss Johns (Matt Nable) along with his crew Dahl (Katee Sackhoff), Moss (Bokeem Woodbine) and Nunez (Noah Danby). This crew isn’t as interested in the bounty as Johns is about talking to Riddick.

As the two groups argue about who gets the bounty they aren’t watching their ships as Riddick takes the fuel pods from both in order to make a deal. Immediately he begins to dwindle both groups’ numbers. There is something else lurking on the planet and spending all their time trying to catch their bounty means no one sees what’s coming.

Giving them a chance to take one ship and leave him the other – both camps reply with bullets and hostility.

He replies as only Riddick can!

FINAL WORD: Diesel as Riddick has totally made a franchise out of a guy who hardly says a word. Yes, this film has a very familiar PITCH BLACK feel to it with occasional memorable lines. There is something very believable when his character says, ‘it’s not me you should be afraid of’ and done with a smile that is pure Riddick. I was half hoping Vin would take this further and kick Vaako’s hind end but perhaps that is best served for a film called REVENGE OF RIDDICK (you listening Diesel…it’s a good title dude!)

Sackoff as Dahl gets a chance to be the bad-ass with the high powered weaponry swapping sexual one-liners with Riddick and laying down some whup-ass on Molla’s character. Okay, so I enjoyed that a lot.

Molla as Santana deserved everything he gets but that’s what makes him such a good bad guy right? He irritates everyone, talks big talk, is surrounded by muscle and thinks he’s untouchable – yep, bad guy for sure and well done.

Nable as Boss Johns is fine in this role considering his one goal is to get a question answered. Once that’s done (which I could have done in ten seconds) his role in the film really isn’t necessary.

Other cast include: Danny Blanco Hall as Falco, Neil Napier as Rubio, Andreas Apergis as Krone and Keri Hilson as Santana’s prisoner.

TUBS OF POPCORN: I give RIDDICK three and a half tubs of popcorn out of five. I’ve always enjoyed the Riddick films and this one is no exception especially seeing it in blu-ray and unrated. It is actually what moving going should be about. Getting a huge bucket of popcorn, an outrageous sized drink, a comfy seat and be taken away for a minute shy of two hours.

There is action, loads of action, one-liners, snappy comebacks, large weaponry, momentary alien supremacy, paybacks, ‘rut roh’ moments, and a bit of revenge. The film has great graphics and Vin Diesel – seriously what more do you want?

Sure there are some things people are going to gripe about. Yea, yea, yea you can watch PITCH BLACK or not watch it and still have a good time. Personally I say make it a Riddick evening and have a seat knowing you will be whisked away for a good time thanks to RIDDICK.

The blu-ray is frakken awesome if I do say so myself with an unrated director’s cut (which I highly recommend), The World of Riddick, Riddickian Tech and The Twohy Touch. There are additional features with Vin’s Riddick, Meet the Mercs and Riddick: Blindsided. The DVD package includes with Digital HD Ultraviolet set and works with iTunes. This Blu-ray, DVD and Digital HD collection is definitely one to add to the library for Riddick fans!

In the end – survival is his revenge!