Riddick
The latest chapter of the saga that began with 2000’s hit sci-fi film “Pitch Black” and 2004’s “The Chronicles of Riddick” reunites writer-director David Twohy and star Vin Diesel. The infamous antihero Riddick, wanted by every bounty hunter in the known galaxy, has been left for dead on a sun-scorched planet that appears to be lifeless. Soon, however, he finds himself fighting for survival against fierce predators; to get off the planet, he has to activate an emergency beacon, one that will also alert mercenaries — who rapidly descend to the planet in search of their bounty. Now he has to fight off alien and human monsters to survive. Though this outing is heads and tails above the first sequel (but not nearly as good as the surprise hit “Pitch Black”), Diesel has taken himself a bit too seriously as Riddick, mouthing interstellar survival platitudes and theology as he flexes his invincible muscles to fight off all comers, picking them off one by one. Great special effects but a predictable story line. (It also features the most gratuitous nude scene in recent memory — he-woman Katee Sackoff bares her breasts for no apparent reason.) Extras: “Vin’s Riddick” behind-the-scenes featurette, “Meet the Mercs” supporting cast featurette, ”Riddick: Blindsided,” a motion comic prequel to Riddick that fills in the gap since 2004’s “The Chronicles of Riddick.” Blu-ray adds “The Twohy Touch” behind-the-scenes featurette with the director, “Riddickian Tech” effects featurette, “The World Of Riddick” featurette. Vitals: Director: David Twohy. Stars: Vin Diesel, Jordi Molla, Matt Nable, Katee Sackoff, Karl Urban, Dave Bautista, Bokeem Woodbine, Matt Nable, Raoul Trujillo, Nolan Gerard Funk. 2013, CC, MPAA rating: R, 119 min., Science Fiction, Box office gross: $41.997 million, Universal. 
