The Chronicles of Riddick – 4K UHD LIMITED EDITION

As a long-time fan of the Riddick saga, I can confidently say that the 4K UHD Limited Edition of “The Chronicles of Riddick” is a must-have for any sci-fi enthusiast’s collection. The sheer wealth of bonus features offers an unprecedented glimpse into the creative process behind this epic film, from Keith David’s insights on his iconic role as the Imam to Brian Murray’s continued work within the Riddick universe.

Prior to his continuous talk about ‘Family’ while speeding luxury cars in daring stunts, Vin Diesel had previously starred in a low-budget sci-fi film titled ‘Pitch Black’. A departure from his previous work that included roles in ‘Saving Private Ryan’, voicing ‘The Iron Giant’, and acting in the lesser-known but well-regarded con man drama ‘Boiler Room’, ‘Pitch Black’ featured Diesel as Richard Riddick, a prisoner on a spaceship that crashes onto an unforgiving, alien landscape inhabited by dangerous creatures. The only one capable of navigating through the darkness due to his light-sensitive eyes, Riddick guided the crew to safety while avoiding the creatures that emerged during an eclipse. Released in 2000, ‘Pitch Black’ earned $53 million despite its small budget, and its success, along with audience intrigue surrounding Riddick himself, led to further films within the franchise. The films were directed and co-written by David Twohy, who had previously written screenplays for ‘The Fugitive’, ‘Waterworld’, and ‘GI Jane’.

The movie “Pitch Black” paved the way for Vin Diesel’s future acting career. In the year following, he appeared in several action-packed films like “The Fast and the Furious,” xXx, and “A Man Apart.” These roles solidified his status as a top action star. Director David Twohy convinced the studio to produce a sequel with Diesel as the main character. Impressed by his script, the studio allocated a larger budget of $115 million for the sequel, which featured extensive world-building compared to the original film.

In a thrilling continuation, Riddick (Diesel), a fugitive across the galaxies, is drawn from hiding by Imam (Keith David), a fellow survivor from a terrifying planet they fled five years prior. As he steps back into the light, his past catches up as an ethereal messenger (Academy Award winner Dame Judi Dench) reveals him to be a descendant of ancient warrior bloodlines, potentially the universe’s last defense against the Necromongers – a ruthless army seeking dominion. With adversaries on every front, including the merciless Lord Marshal (Colm Feore) and his devious lieutenant Vaako (Karl Urban), Riddick unwillingly becomes the cosmos’ savior. His quick thinking and deadly instincts are all that stand between total destruction and survival.

As a passionate movie enthusiast, I found myself immersed in a grand production set against the backdrop of Vancouver. With Holger Gross’s magnificent designs and the late High Johnson behind the camera, these elaborate sets were beautifully captured. However, due to the extensive lighting required, our production drew quite a bit of attention from city officials – apparently, our filming was causing quite a drain on the city’s energy resources. It’s truly a testament to the power of cinema! High Johnson had only eight films under his belt before his untimely passing in 2015; his work graced such films as White Squall, G I Jane for Ridley Scott, and The Chronicles of Riddick. What an incredible legacy he left behind!

In this movie, there were lavish stages, beautiful clothing, and some standout scene highlights, including one where Riddick and his group must flee from a sun that was rising, which emitted rays so potent they could vaporize humans in the open. The film also showcased a talented ensemble cast, with Diesel reportedly persuading Judi Dench to join the project, who eventually agreed and appreciated the opportunity, but admitted she didn’t fully grasp the movie or its mythology.

The film “The Chronicles of Riddick” didn’t perform well at the box office, earning just $115 million. However, over time it has developed a dedicated fanbase and gained cult status. As a result, the re-release of the movie in 4K on a limited edition will excite fans, as this three-disc set is packed with extras that are rich in detail:

Brand new 4K restorations by Arrow Films of the Theatrical and Director’s Cuts of the film, approved by David Twohy
• Original DTS-HD MA 5.1 surround audio on both cuts, plus remixed Dolby Atmos for the Theatrical Cut
• Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing on both cuts
• Reversible sleeve featuring newly commissioned artwork by Dan Mumford
• Illustrated collectors’ booklet featuring new writing on the film by Walter Chaw, original production notes and the ‘Chronicles Compendium’, an overview of the characters and planets featured in the film

DISC ONE

4K (2160p) UHD Blu-ray presentation in Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible) of the Theatrical Cut from the original negative
• Ambition on Another Scale: Chronicling a Blockbuster Sequel, a brand-new feature-length documentary on the film, featuring interviews with interviews with writer-director David Twohy, actors Keith David and Linus Roache, storyboard artist Brian Murray, concept artist Matt Codd, miniature effects artist Ian Hunter and digital matte artist Dylan Cole
• Realizing Riddick, a new interview with Twohy on the creation of the character
• Back to Black, a new interview with Murray on his continuing work within the Riddick saga
• Chronicles of a Cult Film Icon, a new interview with David on the role of Imam
• Theatrical trailers

DISC TWO

4K (2160p) UHD Blu-ray presentation in Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible) of the Director’s Cut
• Archive audio commentary by David Twohy and Vin Diesel
• Archive audio commentary by Twohy and co-stars Karl Urban and Alexa Davelos
• Archive introduction by Twohy
• Creation of New Mecca, an archive featurette focusing on the world and characters of Helion Prime
• Riddick Rises, an archive featurette focusing on the prison planet of Crematoria
• Keep What You Kill, an archive featurette focusing on the world of the Necromongers
• Visual Effects Revealed, an archive featurette focusing on the VFX
• Interactive Production Calendar, a series of short, candid videos filmed throughout shooting
• Production Vignettes, a series of short behind-the-scenes segments
• Three deleted scenes
• Virtual Guide to the Chronicles of Riddick, a series of short animated segments explaining the world of the film
• Toombs’ Chase Log, a short film narrated by Nick Chinlund in character
• A guided tour of the set by Vin Diesel, along with 360-degree panoramic views of eight sets from the film
• On-set interviews with Twohy, Diesel, Dench, Urban, Colm Feore, Alexa Davelos, Thandie Newton and producer Scott Kroopf
• Promotional interviews with Twohy, Diesel, Newton, Urban, Davelos and Feore
• Easter egg

DISC THREE (LIMITED EDITION EXCLUSIVE)

4K (2160p) UHD Blu-ray presentation in Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible) of the Theatrical Cut in the alternate 1.78:1 aspect ratio
• Escape from Butcher Bay, a compilation of cutscenes from the acclaimed tie-in video game
• The Lowdown, a television special produced to promote the film’s original release

Among these extra features, it’s tough to pick a favorite, but the archive commentary by Twohy and Diesel stands out as particularly enlightening due to its wealth of insights. Diesel’s behind-the-scenes set introduction provides a glimpse into the massive scale of the production, while the Ambition on Another Scale documentary is top-notch. Additionally, there are two versions of the film available, featuring both the original theatrical cut and the Director’s Cut, adding approximately seven additional minutes of footage to the viewing experience.

For enthusiasts, the limited edition is an absolute necessity, while for those intrigued by the technical and artistic aspects of this sci-fi masterpiece, it’s a smart investment. Diesel’s status as a genuine action star, thanks to the Fast and Furious franchise, coupled with his role as a producer, provided him the leverage to propose a third film in 2013. This was no easy feat considering the underperformance of The Chronicles of Riddick at the box office, but he managed it, albeit with a significantly reduced budget. Remarkably, this move paid off, earning back more than twice its production cost. With a fourth film on the way, this first sequel is definitely worth checking out before it arrives.

Here’s The Chronicles of Riddick trailer…….

The Chronicles of Riddick – 4K UHD Limited Edition is released on 16th September

2024-09-07 02:24

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