This installment finds Riddick venturing into territory that feels entirely familiar. You can criticize the earlier film (_Chronicles of Riddick_) all you like, but it at least attempted some daring choices. Most of those attempts didn't work out well, admittedly, but they were attempts nonetheless. _Riddick_, however, opts for a more cautious approach. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but it wasn't what I anticipated from a series that began with the Australian cult favorite _Pitch Black_. I know some folks might disagree with me, because I’m a big admirer of David Twohy (_The Arrival, Waterworld, G.I. Jane, A Perfect Getaway_), and I had higher hopes for this one. Yes, _Chronicles_ was absurd and disjointed, yes, _Dark Fury_ felt completely unnecessary, and _Dark Athena/Butcher Bay_ were only occasionally worthwhile, but taken as a whole, the Riddick franchise will inevitably be measured against _Pitch Black_, and in comparison, this latest film simply doesn't measure up. The plot involving the Necromonger has been largely abandoned; any links to characters from previous stories feel forced and improbable, and the story itself feels like an unoriginal rehash of the original movie. It’s good to see a more resourceful and intelligent Riddick, as he was often hinted at rather than explicitly portrayed. The setting for the film's events is even somewhat intriguing, and none of the actors or characters are truly terrible, but ultimately _Riddick_ lands much closer to “just barely worth watching” than “outstanding.” It’s visually appealing and enjoyable enough, but it doesn’t offer anything fresh, isn’t particularly inventive, and certainly isn't as good as _Pitch Black_. 66% -_Gimly_

Source on TMDB