a captivating film

Rating: 10/10 (15 February 2007)

This is an often under-appreciated film. True, it's a sci-fi/horror film, generally not a genre which churns out many great movies. Also true, the sequels - Dark Fury and Chronicles of Riddick - aren't killer films. The concept, as far as science fiction goes, isn't that original either. The core of main characters and atmosphere of the film however, are why I rate it 10/10. Radha Mitchell plays the convincing protagonist "Fry" with great emotional involvement, drawing in viewers' sympathies along with their respect. Vin Diesel seems so natural as the cold and cynical prisoner Riddick it's almost frightening - Diesel was born for this role. Cole Hauser completes the trio of characters with an exceptional job as Riddick's captor Johns, a truly multi-dimensional and conflicted character whose interaction with Riddick makes for the most intriguing aspect of the movie. The atmosphere of this film is likewise exceptional, especially with regard to the contrasts presented between light and dark, and between the openness of the desert and the claustrophobia conjured up by the canyon. What a movie.