Did you know Riddick — Vin Diesel’s most recognizable character other than Dom Toretto — has the first name Richard? That’s not the type of detail The Chronicles of Riddick lingers on, as the 2004 sci-fantasy sequel is too busy widening the scope of the lean, mean original Pitch Black. The film draws Dick Riddick, a dangerous criminal gifted with night vision, into a galactic conflict against a death-worshiping empire, a tall order for a killer who only looks out for himself.
As the 2013 threequel Riddick is more of a retread of Pitch Black, The Chronicles of Riddick stands out as the series’ only blockbuster swing. And with Arrow Video having just reissued its 4K edition of the film, it’s time to reevaluate the rare sci-fi film that pulled off its grand world-building experiment.
