The penal planet scenes become especially tedious during the escape, when Riddick and company have to outrun a rising sun before it burns them to a crisp. Once again, a lot of what happens during this sequence doesn't make much sense, but I suppose we're supposed to forgive Twohy because we're into the action and rooting for the characters. That's a flimsy excuse for gaping plot holes, and not a particularly strong reason for the inclusion of a 15 minutes segment whose lone purpose appears to be padding the running length.

 

The Chronicles of Riddick proves how valuable a commodity Vin Diesel can be when he is used properly. Recently, with duds like A Man Apart, Diesel has been losing both popularity and credibility as an action star. But, once again playing Riddick, he has returned to top form - the charismatic anti-hero who can growl one-liners (most of which are expectedly cheesy), snap bad guys in two, out-grunt his opponents, and accidentally save a civilization or two. Diesel understands this character, and, despite the lapse of four years, he hasn't missed a beat. This is the same guy who splattered bugs in Pitch Black.

 

The other actor worth noting is Alexa Davalos, who gives an untamed interpretation of Jack/Kyra. Although there's an element of feral sensuality in Davalos' portrayal, the film wisely keeps any potential sexual energy between her and Diesel at arm's length. They're playing big brother/little sister, not would-be lovers. Colm Feore, the Canadian actor, is inadequate as the Lord Marshall. "Intimidating" is not a word one would ever use to describe Feore, yet that's precisely what's required of him here, and he isn't capable of delivering. Je me serai volontiers passé de cet acteur 

 

Supporting actors include an underused Thandie Newton (as the scheming wife of a Necromonger captain), Judi Dench (whose ethereal character serves no useful purpose), and Keith David (whose Inam isn't around for very long).Tant mieux...lui,moins j e le vois

 

It's hard to determine whether the movie's main problems are the result of sloppy scripting, inconsistent editing, or a combination of the two. But it's clear that the final cut of The Chronicles of Riddick fails to attain its full glory in large part because of its frustrating unevenness. The film is adequate for those who want to spend a couple more hours with one of the most interesting science fiction characters in recent years, but the story lacks the lean, single-minded focus of Pitch Black, and it suffers because of it.( je n'aime pas Pitch Black. C'est un film d''angoisse ) 

 

Although the ending hints at what might happen during another volume of Riddick's adventures, it's questionable whether that tale will be told. The Chronicles of Riddick isn't solid enough to earn a sequel.