Film note: Riddick

I’m sure most will think I’m full of shit for saying this but simply because of its other-worldly widescreen compositions, particularly in how those frames are colored, in the set and costume design, this is visually more arresting than the far more technically impressive Gravità, which I found cluttered and show-offy in a clinical way.

Neither movie has much of a script, however, with plenty of lines to groan about. Although Riddick should have been trimmed by a half hour, I was still more engaged with the bulging biceps of the band of mercenaries out to capture Vin Diesel’s shiny-eyed character than I was in caring much about whether Sandra Bullock’s whiny Dr. Stone landed safely. I really don’t think Bullock as an actor has much on Diesel, either, certainly not in terms of screen presence.

Katee Sackhoff as a bisexual bounty hunter is around to kick some misogynist ass, Riddick gains a alien-dog companion with one blue eye and one brown, fights an amphibious scorpion-like monster with a bone club, rides a hoverpod with chopper handlebars and finally gets tied up in chains.

There’s even a couple nods to Forbidden Planet. What’s not to like?