I think I would rank the movies as such
Pitch Black
Riddick
Chronicles
Even though Riddick is more or less a complete re-hash of Pitch Black, I enjoyed it more than Chronicles of Riddick, which seemed like "let's make this guy do as many cool things as possible"
I do not disagree.
shareI view The Riddick series similar to The Matrix movies in a way. First movie introduces the character, his abilities, hints that he is kind of a chosen one but doesn't clarify that completely. Second movie is all superhuman feat and expanded mythology, same as Reloaded. And third movie has less superhuman stuff. More about finding a purpose (even though I doubt Riddick thinks he has a purpose but still knows it is partly surviving alone on hostile worlds rather than following prophesies).
Anyways, here's my line up rank.
Pitch Black 10/10. Original beats all three. Perfectly directed, beautiful scenery, hardly any CGI or digital background, just a raw and authentic alien world to immerse yourself in.
Riddick 9/10. Different and interesting take of an alien Man vs Wild story. Necro flashbacks are awesome plus bonus points for nudity. Mercs are funny and interesting but lost a point for a sloppy and slow paced third act in the rain with jet cycles. But the last three minutes of the unrated ending make up for it.
Chronicles of Riddick 8/10. Love the mythology. Necros are awesome. But felt like two films in one, both Helion and Crematoria. Which isn't a bad thing but had a lot of throwaway characters, kind of similar to Shakespeare with the whole Lady MacBeth which lost a point or two. Not sure if this film when too big, too fast after Pitch Black which is why many people disliked it, but still watchable as always. And left me hanging for nine years to see what would happen next.
I'll rank the four 😉
Riddick
Pitch Black
Dark Fury
Chronicles.
I like them all though.
Don't love any of them, but liked Riddick.
Riddick
Pitch Black
Chronicles of Riddick
Chronicles (10/10)
Pitch Black (9/10)
Riddick (5/10)
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tough one. i like all three and i think they are all films that you can watch over and over again.
i give pitch black the edge though. all three had great one liners, but none other than pitch black makes me laugh so hard.
Paris: Paris P. Olgilvie. Antiquities dealer, entrepreneur.
Riddick: Richard B. Riddick. Escaped convict. Murderer.
(the crew looks at riddick, completely puzzled)
Riddick: Did not know who he was fu**ing with.
Riddick: I truly don't know what's gonna happen when the lights go out, Carolyn, but I do know, once the dying starts, this little psycho *beep* family of ours is gonna rip itself apart.
Riddick: [evil smile] Like I said, it ain't me you gotta worry about.
Imam: Where's Johns?
Riddick: Which half?
etc etc etc
Pitch Black - 8 solid sci-fi.
Chronicles - 7 Daft, bloated but fun.
Riddick - 5 felt like a bigger budget syfy channel special, not a patch on the first movie.
Chronicles 9/10
Pitch Black 8/10
Escape from Butcher Bay 8/10
Escape from Athena 7/10
00s Cartoon 6/10
Riddick 5/10 (it's just a rehash of Pitch Black and tons of random rape dialogue thrown in that isn't memorable to me. compare to Pitch Black or Chronicle's dialogue. The dialogue was what made this film R along with a few boobs, Pitch Black was actually tense at points and did have some gore). I'm not saying it's a bad film. I liked the interaction between Sackoff, Johns's father, and Riddick, but that was about it. Didn't remember any of the other mercs...compare to Johns, Toombs, and hell the Russians from Chronicles, all memorable to me. The Necromonger updates were garbage and their new lord marshal seemed about as intelligent as a caveman. I get it people didn't like Chronicles, but I'd have preferred they just cut it out if they were going to 'go back to the roots' rather than insult my intelligence.
I'll admit it though, Chronicles and Escape from Butcher Bay got me into this series more than anything else back in 2004 along with the Pitch Black DC/Unrated, so I might be biased (everyone's mileage varies).
1. Pitch Black
2. Riddick
3.Chronicles (I guess, but Chronicles is one of the worst movies I've ever seen)
"We stayed up all night dry humping, it was awful, I think she gave me poison ivy."