" The Chronicles of Riddick "

It seems to me after doing some research that the " The Chronicles of Riddick " is heavily influenced by SW and it seems that it even being made is a direct result of SW fans wanting an adult Sci/Fi - Fantasy adventure as a companion piece to their beloved Saga. The movie seems to concentrate on all of what hardcore adult fans see as the great strengths of the SW Saga: A political sub-plot, stunning Gigeresque set-pieces, amazing FX and an anti-hero. Riddick, to me, is a rated R version of Han Solo - and ive made this argument with friends WELL BEFORE the sequel to " Pitch Black " was publicly announced. It even seems in the first movie that Twohy just comes to his senses all of a sudden towards the middle of the film and realizes that an amoral protagonist IS the strength of the film and thankfully went with it. So to all of you SW haters who thought that the PT was a death nail: HA! The inside buzz on TCOR is that it kicks ass. So if an adult sci/fi -fantasy can be well made and is obviously inspired by SW - specifically the PT - then it seems to me that thats' testament enough that GL did all the RIGHT things with the Saga.

 

The word is knell, not nail.

However, it doesn't look like the new Riddick movie is inspired by the PT. It looks more like a condemnation of imperialist theocracies.

 

Its the second movie of a potential trilogy thats about an growing evil in a fictional universe and the efforts to stop it. I didnt say it was an exact copy - but I would say its inspired by SW, especially the PT. I would say that Twohy is a PT fan and is paying thanks to GL, much the same way you suggest GL pays the same kind of thanks to Flash Gordon in the Ep3 forum. Twohy takes alot of the cooler, adult aspects of SW and created an R-rated sci/fi adventure. Its influenced by SW, if not inspired - and im not 100% sold on that until I see the movie. Anyway I hope its great - there isnt enough of these kinds of movies. And you may be the only person alive that knows that its " death knell ". You couldnt keep it that way, could you?

 

Unfortunately, I see that Riddick is now PG-13 and AICN is reporting that it is having some of its more complicated plot machinations edited entirely. Anyhow, from what I've read elsewhere, I think this new Riddick movie is the first of three films and that the original Pitch Black is a side-story. I guess it'll depend on the box office.

But I agree with you entirely, there should be more of these kinds of movies, especially ones for adults.

Oh, and I hope it didn't sound like I was trying to "knell" you to the wall for making a simple mistake.

 

Yeah, they just changed the rating two days ago. What a shame. However I heard the only thing that was edited was one extremely graphic sequence which Twohy was already promised will be allowed to be reinserted in an unrated directors-cut DVD. There's no cursing in the film - which according to DT is the only reason that Pitch Black was rated R ( The unrated version has one extended gore scene and two extra F-words inserted into it, so it doesnt really affect the movie ). And I believe that, too. The film ratings administration seem to be much more concerned with language over violence. America! What a country!

 

I saw Riddick back in April at a test screening here in Tempe, AZ. I'm anxious to know what got edited out as I don't recall any real graphic gore that would need to be edited out. We were told the movie we were about to view was intended to be rated PG-13 and after the movie I couldn't see them taking anything out. I couldn't recall anything that would really give it an R rating so it sorta disturbs me that the MPAA would have Twohy edit anything out at all. I'm beginning to get sick of the MPAA and their ridiculous rating systems. Personally when I go see a movie I completely disregard the rating. I don't care what it's rated. If it looks interesting I will see it. Ratings are for people who need censorship in their lives and frankly, who needs that?

Anyway, The Chronicles of Riddick was good. The mythology is deep and I can see Star Wars, LOTR, and Dune fans really get absorbed into it's complexity. I can't wait to see it again on opening day. If you buy the The Chronicles of Riddick: Pitch Black DVD that came out last Tuesday it comes with a pass for a free ticket to TCOR on opening day. I will have seen this movie twice already and not have had to pay for either showing. I really got lucky this year.

 

I agree Skyward, i dont care about the rating because the depth of the movie suggests that there interested in a SW-like following, but sans the issue of the film being made for pre-teens, which Riddick is obviosly NOT. But I did read a little blurb a few months ago in Premeire Magazine ( Dec? ) that Twohy was fighting for an R-Rating, and it was a violent fight sequence that was the issue. And then I was speaking to someone on-line and he was telling me that they left said scene out and it will be re-inserted for an unrated DVD edition similar to the first film. This could all be BS, but it makes sense given the nature of the first film, the nature of the character of Riddick, and the fact that the video game has an M rating. Any which way, I love the direction thet are taking in incorporating a deep plot with the sequel(s). If done well the films should gain cult status. If the film is a mainstream hit then you can expect a SW-like following, given the lack of these types of film. You gotta give it up to the PT and LotR for opening the door for these films to be made.

 

Its the second movie of a potential trilogy thats about an growing evil in a fictional universe and the efforts to stop it.

I also heard of this Riddick trilogy thing, but from what I read I was under the impression it's 'The Chronicles of Riddick Trilogy' and that 'Pitch Black' is not included in the three planned movies. Sort of like what 'The Hobbit' is the 'the Lord of the Rings'. Get what I'm saying?



EDIT: Sorry, Emos-Edud, I seemed to miss what you said. I guess I'm not the only one to have heard this.

 

That makes sense Professor. If you dont mind me asking, does it bother you that the possible reason for making a trilogy apart from the first film, which I guess know can be viewed as an introduction to the character of Riddick, would be to try to snag a younger demographic? I mean if its good, its good and its obvious just from trailer that its Star Wars influenced, which is the connection Im trying to make.

 

Guys and gals, lets try to keep this thread on topic comparing Riddick and the Star Wars Saga. M'kay!

 

You may the best person to comment on this, Spike. Do you think the " Chronicles of Riddick " is a direct result of the many people that you deal with as a MOD that seem to wish in their hearts that the Saga was made for adults? It seems, at least in the trailer, that they have attempted to give SW fans that like the adult aspects of SW what they want to see. I understand that its hard to answer this question without actually seeing the movie.

 

Dang, that's a hard and interesting question. I'll make the deal with you that when I actually see Riddick I'll give you a decent answer. My answer right now would be that in my opinion its not. Riddick seems to be part of what I call the "Action/Adventure SciFi" genre, which is a lot different than Star Wars. SW is and has always been a fairy tale set in space. And fairy tales are not necessarily for kids.

 

The movie seems to concentrate on all of what hardcore adult fans see as the great strengths of the SW Saga: A political sub-plot, stunning Gigeresque set-pieces, amazing FX and an anti-hero.

Actually, most of the people I know are tired of the anti hero. Political sub plots are not a "Star Wars Original" they have been in movies longer than most of us have been alive.

Amazing FX? Isn'that what most of the naysayers say killed Star Wars? Isn't that the problem w/most action movies, sci-fi or otherwise, coming out? All explosions no substance?

Gigeresque set pieces? So Alien wasn't the movie that brought Giger into Pop Culture?

Spike Edit: I liked the joke, it was actually funny but really not appropriate.

 

"Actually, most of the people I know are tired of the anti hero. Political sub plots are not a "Star Wars Original" they have been in movies longer than most of us have been alive."

A political sub-plot in a science-fiction fantasy is a relatively untested concept until SW, and there wasnt that much after the OT either and I never said it was a SW Original, I said it was a strength, so I dont know who your quoting. And as far as I know, and Im no pop-culture guru, but an anti-hero protaganist is the least filmed and most intriguing of any movie-lead. Now if your version of " anti-hero " is Jack Sparrow, i.e. someone you know is the good-guy the minute he steps on the screen, even though he may consider himself a villain in the movie, then I understand what your saying about that becoming unpopular - because that kind of character IS becoming cliche nowadays. But my version of anti-hero, or at least the version that I find intriguing and very rarely filmed is a villianous person where throughout the film you admire his strength and courage but never for one second do you make the mistake that hes going to be redeemed or " saved ", because there are absolutely NO morals nor can you trust him to do the right thing ever.Maybe he kills a few innocent people in the course of the film just to reiterate where he really stands. Hong Kong movies use this type of character alot. You dont know until theres only 10 minutes left in " Pitch Black " where Riddick aligns himself. There are very FEW films to my knowledge in which the killer of the group is the one whose guile and resourcefullness is relied upon to save the day, or is the last man standing at the end of the movie - thats always saved for the righteous male and/or female lead, which if you think about it would probably be the first to die in a real - life horror scenario.



"Amazing FX? Isn'that what most of the naysayers say killed Star Wars? Isn't that the problem w/most action movies, sci-fi or otherwise, coming out? All explosions no substance?"

Its seems your the naysayer that your talking about, because I have absolutely no problems with f/x, nor does it seem alot of people who LIKE SW. And Im not talking about previous action movies, sci-fi or otherwise. Anyway I believe that action, done correctly, is a great, sometimes brilliant, plot device and is LOADED with substance.

Gigeresque set pieces? So Alien wasn't the movie that brought Giger into Pop Culture?

Your right about that, its an incorrect analogy - sorry. I was looking for an adjective that would suggest large scale futuristic, and yet retaining a middle-ages' type of gothicness.