The Chronicles of Riddick (2004)

The wanted criminal Riddick arrives on a planet called Helion Prime, and finds himself up against an invading empire called the Necromongers, an army that plans to convert or kill all humans in the universe.

OK sci-fi saga adding some sword & sorcery fantasy (and more violence) to the Pitch Black universe; nicely made, but otherwise quite mindless entertainment.

Maltin*1/2: "...a densely plotted, overproduced action/sci-fi extravaganza...Laden with a self-serious storyline and enormous computer-generated settings and effects, it sinks under its own weight."

Pitch Black (2000)

A group of marooned space travelers struggle for survival on a seemingly lifeless sun-scorched world.

Above-average sci-fi thriller with some atmospheric visuals.

On renewed viewing: I must admit it's not a masterpiece but a guilty pleasure of mine.

Halliwell (no star): "Essentially a 'B' movie with a few pretensions, this delivers its shocks efficiently enough, but is otherwise in need of a better script and a bigger budget."

Maltin**: "Ambitious, but formulaic sci-fi/horror film...Some exciting scenes and effects, but weighed down by a feeling of deja vu."