 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
The Chronicles of Riddick
- Review Date: November 14, 2004
- PG-13
- Genre: Science Fiction
- 2004
Common Sense Media says
Very violent and brainless explosion movie.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this action movie isn't very good, and it has intense and graphic violence for a PG-13, including people getting fried in intense heat and a lot of fighting. Other things to note: characters are in constant peril and many are killed, there are a few four-letter words, and a character speaks of being forced into prostitution. Two of the movie's few strengths are that there are diverse characters on both sides and the way it makes clear that the good guys stand for tolerance.
What's the story?
Pitch Black was an outer space horror film about a group stranded on a planet with some very scary creatures. One member of the group was Riddick (Vin Diesel), a convict being transported to prison. His ability to see in the dark made him the group's best hope for survival. In this sequel, Riddick (Diesel again) is once more the best hope for survival, this time of just about everyone. An evil race called the Necromancers is capturing planets as it moves toward its interplanetary version of something between Mecca and Valhalla. They offer the inhabitants of each planet two choices -- surrender or death -- and they don't really care which one they pick. The leader of the Necromancers, Lord Marshal (Colm Feore) has been told that he will be killed by a member of the Furia race, so he has ordered all of them killed. But one remains -- Riddick -- and as soon as he says, "It's not my fight," you know he'll be opening up a can of whup-ass on just about everyone pretty soon or it would be a pretty short movie.
Is it any good?
THE CHRONICLES OF RIDDICK almost makes it as a brainless popcorn summer explosion movie. The movie's graphics are very striking, especially the neo-fascist baroque of the Necromancer's massive weapons, armor, machinery, and monuments and the enormous underground prison on a planet with temperature swings of hundreds of degrees. It's nice to see someone thinking up advanced technology that is not computer based. Instead of digital read-outs there are some fascinating mechanical contraptions. There are also some good action sequences and some cool special effects.
But the script is a dumbed-down version of The Matrix, complete with characters who are hooked into soul-destroying machinery through their necks, with a little bit of (heaven help us) Battlefield Earth thrown in for bad measure. The names are so unimaginatively obvious they border on parody, with the angry race called the Furia and the hot planet called Crematoria. The dialogue is dreadful. Thandie Newton plays the Lady Macbeth-style scheming wife of one of Lord Marshall's henchmen with a space-age mullet. She looks lovely but gives a ludicrously over-the-top performance.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the inspiration for some of the movie's terms like Necromancer and Crematoria and some of its themes, patched together from sources like the Bible (especially the story of Moses and the Pharaoh) and Shakespeare (especially Macbeth). They may also discover parallels between the conflicts in the movie and some historical conflicts between totalitarian regimes and those who fight for freedom.
- Show:
- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
Kid, 12 years old
July 9, 2010
AGE
cool movie
a cool sci-fi movie. the language is not as strong as pitch black 1 f-word and a few s-words. the violence is rather strong like a man his killed by a tea-cup. a man is stabbed in the head some blood is seen. a women is stabbed in the stomach. a man is shot by a laser whole chunck of his flesh come off(very hard to see and brief) a good sci-fi movie 12+
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
One of the most graphic PG-13's ever.
Violent movie about a religous group trying to convert humanity to their religon. The movie has little blood but strong violence, one F-bomb and decently long scene of "tounge kissing". But it is no as bad as ptch black. And only the people who play the game will like it.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
Great Movie
This movie was amazing. No real issues here except for the violence, which isn't overtly graphic and the language. There aren't really that many strong words here.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
This movie contains a couple of cuss words like p---y,a-s,f--k,and d---n.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
don't listen to me...I'm only watching parts of it
My dad is watching it right now....I'm watching parts of it and I'm laughing because it's so cheeeesy
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
This was an alright movie. It had great action but it had a lot violence from stabbing people in the head (no blood shown) and other violent things. But just know I didn't see the unrated version but I heard that it's more violent. Probably for ages 10+
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
stupid
wow when i was at the movies i almost laughed at how stupid this movie was-15 caution
Was this review useful?
|
|
| Studio: | Universal Pictures |
| Director: | David Twohy |
| Cast: | Judi Dench, Thandie Newton, Vin Diesel |
| Genre: | Science Fiction |
| Run time: | 90 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | June 11, 2004 |
| DVD release date: | November 16, 2004 |
| MPAA rating: | PG-13 |
| MPAA explanation: | intense sequences of violent action and some language |
Review It
Great alternatives handpicked by our editors
Already seen it? What do you think?
More from Common Sense Media
Top advice and articles
