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'The Chronicles of Riddick' follows up 'Pitch Black' in positive fashion. I think I prefer the story last time out, though this 2004 release is definitely an improvement in most other departments. The special effects have aged relatively better, while the acting is more sturdy.

Vin Diesel remains entertaining as the now titular character. Away from him, there are a fair number of other characters; almost, if not quite, too many. I wouldn't say any of the others onscreen left a noteworthy mark on my memory, though Colm Feore and Nick Chinlund do particularly well. Judi Dench appears too, interestingly.

Onwards to 2013's 'Riddick'. Good to see Vin Diesel starring in inconsistently titled sequels isn't just limited to 'Fast & Furious'... 😁

'Pitch Black' is passable viewing. As a big 'Fast & Furious' fan, it was about time I checked out more of Vin Diesel's other work. I had heard of this character of his before, though didn't know a jot about the plot. It turns out it's fairly good, despite minor issues.

It has a noticeable low budget/low quality feel to it, the special effects haven't aged beautifully and the acting level is rather mid. Nevertheless, I still did enjoy the creatures and those onscreen do the job. It does attempt quite a bit of sci-fi, so I can respect it.

Diesel is effective in the role of Riddick, a character I can certainly see the potential for here. Kinda funny that he co-stars with Cole Hauser, who appears in '2 Fast 2 Furious' - the only F&F flick to not feature Vin. Hauser is solid enough, he does suit this sorta role.

Radha Mitchell and Keith David are the best of the others. I'm intrigued to see where they went with 'The Chronicles of Riddick' (of course, the film Diesel chose over 2 Fast). I hadn't heard of this one before, though do know of the follow-up... so it must be good, right?

'The Amateur' is not all that believable or unique, but it without question made for a satisfying time at the movies for me. It feels like a long while since I've seen Rami Malek in anything; fwiw, 'Oppenheimer' over a year ago. This makes for a strong return into my world.

Malek is the beating heart of the movie, as you'd expect. I mentioned that it doesn't come across as all that plausible, though that is only in regards to what the film ends up portraying; Malek is convincing as the main dude. Elsewhere, Laurence Fishburne and Michael Stuhlbarg are good.

I was fully invested from beginning to end, so I can't really harbour any complaints. It's pure and simply a very well done movie, in my eyes at least.