Riddick (1/14/2014)

Rated R for strong violence, language and some sexual content/nudity.

Starring Vin Diesel, Dave Bautista, Katee Sackhoff, Bokeem Woodbine and Karl Urban

Directed by David Twohy (Pitch Black and Chronicles of Riddick)

Riddick rules the Dark…and the box office.

Riddick, the latest chapter of the groundbreaking saga that began with 2000’s hit sci-fi film Pitch Black and 2004’s The Chronicles of Riddick reunites writer/director David Twohy and star Vin Diesel. Diesel reprises his role as the antihero Riddick, a dangerous, escaped convict wanted by every bounty hunter in the known galaxy. The infamous Riddick has been left for dead on a sun-scorched planet that appears to be lifeless. Soon, however, he finds himself fighting for survival against alien predators more lethal than any human he’s encountered. The only way off is for Riddick to activate an emergency beacon and alert mercenaries who rapidly descend to the planet in search of their bounty. The first ship to arrive carries a new breed of mercenaries, more lethal and violent, while the second is captained by a man whose pursuit of Riddick is more personal. With time running out and a storm on the horizon that no one could survive, his hunters won’t leave the planet without Riddick’s head as their trophy.

I’m actually going to start up this review by telling you why I did not give this film a “worth buying” score. Two words…gratuitous sexuality. There are three scenes involving nudity and countless other scenes with crude sexual dialogue. I really wish I had the ability to just edit those of scenes.

So what did I like about Riddick?

I loved the story. Without giving too much away, I’ll just say that Riddick beautifully references the first two films and ties the trilogy together perfectly. I always thought the creatures in Pitch Black were spectacularly terrifying and again without giving anything away, I’ll say that the creatures in Riddick are even more spectacular and more terrifying.

I also loved the cast. My guess is you love or hate Vin Diesel (and we all know most women love him). I happen to be a fan and love him as Riddick. He doesn’t say much, but when he does…it’s usually really cool. Speaking of not saying much (pun intended), there were moments in the beginning that reminded me of the first Rambo movie. Riddick is alone, struggling to survive the elements of this strange planet as well as some very unique and interesting animals.

The rest of the cast was just as good with Karl Urban making a quick cameo, WWE star Dave Bautista showing he has a future in Hollywood, and TV’s Katee Sackhoff once again plays the no-nonsense solider.

And finally, I love the action sequences. From Riddick’s survival sequences to his epic fight scenes with both man and beasts, the action is non stop and mind-blowing.

I really wish they would have cut a couple of those scenes and cleaned up the dialogue a little so I could have given this film a “worth buying,” but because of that, I can’t go any higher than “theater worthy.”

SHOULD KIDS SEE IT?
No. I think most parents will think this one is rated R strictly because of the violence. That is not the case (although there is plenty of violence). There is one scene where we see four women completely naked, one scene where we see Katee Sackhoff topless and a scene where we see Vin Diesel’s naked silhouette. There are also over 50 F-words.

CONVERSATION STARTER

1. What are some words you would use to describe Riddick?


2. What are some of his flaws?


3. What is one of his strong qualities?


4. How important is “keeping your word” to Riddick?


5. How important is it to you?


6. Read Deuteronomy 23:21-23
   
   When you make a vow to God, your God, don’t put off keeping it; God, your God, expects you to keep it and if you don’t you’re guilty. But if you don’t make a vow in the first place, there’s no sin. If you say you’re going to do something, do it. Keep the vow you willingly vowed to God, your God. You promised it, so do it.
   
   How did Riddick do what he said he would do?


7. What are some ways we can “keep our word” this week?