The Chronicles Of Riddick (2 Disc Directors Cut) [DVD]

While being a big fan of the theatrical cut, i always had the feeling that an extended cut would be better recieved by the common movie goer, and would help the movie flow. This is true, as in the directors cut we get more of a history for Riddick, and we get more information on his Furyan origins and on why his race is almost extinct, making Riddick seem a lot more important to the universe than he seemed in the other cut. We also get a new character in the movie, a woman (presumably Furyan, maybe his mother) who comes to Riddick in his dreams to remind him of the terrible tragedy that happened on the planet. We also get a few tantalising glimpses of Furya itself, whetting the appetite even further for the sequels. Also, supporting characters like Jack/Kyra, the mercs who catch Riddick, Lord and Dame Vaako and the Norwegian prisoner leader are more fleshed out, giving us extra oppurtunity to identify with them.

The action scenes on Crematoria are also extended including a spectacular new part were Riddick comes to truly realise he is Furyan and who it was who destroyed his race's world. Other action scenes in the movie are either the same or only extended by a few seconds of extra footage.

The new footage also serves to make some scenes of the movie more emotionally charged and just that little bit more exciting. For example, when Riddick is looking at the devastation when the Necromonger invade Helion Prime, we see flashback of Furya, and also the final 30 mins in necropolis. So if you didnt like the theatrical cut, give this a try, if you liked the theatrical cut, definately buy this, anyone who has not seen either, i would recommend both, but the directors cut is the better movie.

I've heard that in the planned sequels they will go to the underverse in number 2 and then back to Furya in number 3, i sure hope these get made as i love the character and the movies, and this could turn out to be a great sci-fi saga in the years to come, and the more people who buy the DVD the more chance we have of the sequels getting made.