A lot of potential, but not well done

Rating: 5/10 (16 June 2004)

When I heard they were making a sequel to this I had a hard time believing it. When I heard Vin Diesel was returning, I really couldn't believe it. When I heard he was producing the film and saw the work he was putting into the sequel, I got it.
Riddick is a great character and a great concept. The production and direction of this film, however, were rock bottom. I really didn't like the writing either, but what can you do when the writers suck (It came from outer space II, The fly II) and the screenwriter is directing (GI Jane, Terminal Velocity, Warlock). Combine that with a lousy producer (he did Terminal Velocity and last samurai - need i say more?) and you have a recipe for suck-xess.
It has some high points. It was OK. Fun to watch, certainly worth renting if you have nothing better to do. If you like the kind of film it is, and can get over poor production value, then you might really like it.

It's a B movie that tries too hard to be a big blockbuster. It comes across cheap when it could have relied more on thought and acting. It had good acting. Vin Diesel puts in quite a performance and it is the movie that launched his career and the rest of the cast does quite well.