The Chronicles of Riddick: Unrated Director's Cut

The Chronicles of Riddick: Unrated Director's Cut, released 2004 and the sequel to the movie Pitch Black (2000), written and directed by David Twchy was one of the best sequels I have seen. The director's cut DVD had the "edited out" scenes back in the movie, making the plot easier to follow. I enjoyed every second of the 2 hours and 15 minutes of The Chronicles of Riddick: Unrated Director's Cut. The director, cast and crew created a film that was better than its predecessor with spectacular special effects! This movie is quality science fiction and all who participated in its creation should be commended.

The Chronicles of Riddick: Unrated Director's Cut storyline begins five years after Richard B. Riddick (Vin Diesel), an escaped convict, the Imam (Keith David), and Jack (played by Rhiana Griffith in Pitch Black) escape the desert planet Hades that had carnivorous raptors. Riddick once again is found by mercenaries who want the bounty. He finds out that the bounty this time came from the planet where he had left the Imam and twelve year old Jack for their safety. After stealing the mercenaries' spacecraft, Riddick immediately plots course for Helion Prime.

This decision reunites Riddick with the Imam who now has a wife, Lajjun (Kim Hawthorne) and daughter, Ziza (Alexis Llewellyn). Ziza is enamored by Riddick for she knows him as a hero, the one who rescued her father from planet Hades. Riddick, used to being known only for being a criminal and murderer, is unaccustomed to Ziza's hero adoration. Riddick becomes upset when the Imam deliberately and against his will introduces Riddick to Helion Prime authorities who want to enlist his help with the brewing galactic war, brought upon by the Necromongers, an evil sect dedicated to the population of the "Underverse".

An envoy of the Elementals named Aereon (Judi Dench) explains to Riddick about the prophecy surrounding this war. Aereon insists that Riddick is the Furyan in the prophecy that will restore balance to the universe. Of course Riddick scoffs at being a prophetic hero and the hope for humanity. He declines to help the authorities. This decision precipitates events reuniting Riddick with Jack who has matured into an adult and changed her name to Kyra (played by Alexa Davalos). Kyra has become a very dangerous woman since her incarceration to the prison on the planet Crematoria, and plunges the extremely reluctant Richard B. Riddick into the galactic war; pitted against the Lord Marshall (Colm Feore) of the Necromongers.

The remainder of the primary cast (in the order listed by credits): Thandie Newton (Dame Vaako, wife of the Necromonger Vaako), Karl Urban (Vaako), Linus Roache (the Necromonger Purifier who was a converted Furyan), Yorik Van Wageningen (The Guv), Nick Chinlund (the mercenary Toombs), Mark Gibbon (Irgun), Roger R. Cross (Toal), Christina Cox (Eve Logan), and Charles Zuckermann (Scales).

The Chronicles of Riddick: Unrated Director's cut was rated UR and the released to the theater version is rated PG-13. This film is very adult Science Fiction with scenes that could be very disturbing to minors. Parental discretion is highly recommended.

If you like to read Alan Dean Foster Science Fiction books, or are a Vin Diesel fan, then this movie is for you! Loved Judi Dench in the BBC television series As Time Goes By? I recommend you listing this film as a "must see." This As Time Goes By fan was glad she did! This film also makes for a good movie to share with one's friends as a "something to do" or to spice up one's party.

Enjoy, uncut is best!