What Did RIDDICK Ever Do To Be Worthy Of A Franchise?

What Did RIDDICK Ever Do To Be Worthy Of A Franchise?

As Riddick appears headed on the fast track to the Wal Mart clearance bin, I ask why a character like Riddick (and other similars) merit franchises or repeated attempts to bring them to the silver screen. Read on and add your opinions in the usual place.

Editorial Opinion
By OliverKlossof - Sep 08, 2013 07:09 AM EST
Filed Under: Sci-Fi

As reported earlier by Josh Wilding, Vin Diesel’s Riddick opened with a lukewarm $7.3 million on Friday leading to a less than stellar three day projection of $18 million. But are we really surprised? After all, aren’t the months of September, January, and February where movies go to die? If we really think about it, the character of Riddick is one that begs the question of why? What makes this character so interesting that from the strength of a very average Sci-fi/Horror (2000’s Pitch Black) a major studio would spin off two live action sequels and an animated feature? What is it about Riddick that caused Vin Diesel to set aside two much more lucrative franchises (The Fast and The Furious and XXX) to pursue making what turned out to be the jumbled mess known as The Chronicles of Riddick?

Of course, these questions apply to any other character or franchise that gains traction despite having a combination of average to terrible box office results, mixed to scathing reviews, and limited interest outside of fan circles. Two Ghost Rider movies, three Punisher adaptations, as well as this summer’s Red 2 and Kick Ass 2 immediately come to mind. So what is it? A filmmaker or actor/actress insisting on the potential of a character/story? Studio greed and idiocy? Or reflections of what both parties think of their potential target audience?

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NovaCorpsFan
NovaCorpsFan - 9/8/2013, 7:13 AM
Well, I won't be going to see it.
CorndogBurglar
CorndogBurglar - 9/8/2013, 8:52 AM
I enjoyed the first two. They certainly were not the greatest movies ever made, but they are enjoyable if you're someone that doesn't always need a deep plot to enjoy a movie.
marvel72
marvel72 - 9/8/2013, 9:02 AM
the riddick movies are guilty pleasures of mine,just like the underworld franchise.
Wallymelon
Wallymelon - 9/8/2013, 12:55 PM
Pitch Black is a really cool Sci-Fi/Horror film. It definitely needs some fixing, and thats where this movie comes in. It's basically the same thing just on a different planet. They fixed most of the issues with the first one. Chronicles of Riddick was an ok Sci-Fi adventure. It also needs some work, like not making it PG-13. The character of Riddick is a very interesting one. He's an anti-hero that is just really badass. He does what he wants, and its fun to see that sometimes. I'm not going into this film for tons of substance, I'm going to see this film because i Vin Diesel is charming, and I want to see a Die Hard/Alien movie. I'm going to have fun. I love characters, I like story, but I could just watch a movie of a couple of guys in a store just talking....(clerks...) and still have a great time. The dialogue in these films however are pretty ridiculous. But they're fun.
CorndogBurglar
CorndogBurglar - 9/8/2013, 4:40 PM
@ lex

Clearly not since all of the comments have been positive here.
Tainted87
Tainted87 - 9/8/2013, 4:55 PM
Hehe....Hollywood Video...

Anyways, yeah - it's the target audience. Personally, I can't comment about Riddick because I haven't seen anything with Vin Diesel since the first Fast and the Furious... which was a rental.

I think he sees himself as the next Bruce Willis and beyond. I do really like his latest comment in regards to Ben Affleck and Batman. Sums up what has become my overall feelings about it. So as a man, he has my respect with that. As an actor, heh, well, I don't watch his movies.

-
I used to use the Punisher movies, the Blade trilogy, the Ghost Rider flops, and pretty much any mundane-to-terrible movie that's trying to make an impression at the box office..... I used to use them as a reason why the Martian Manhunter movie is absolutely possible.

Kind of like this one dumbass manager I work with. I have test anxiety, and my thought when going through the classes was simply this: "if Hilda can do it, I can do it."

But that goes for anyone in Florida who get's a driver's license. The test is ridiculously easy. Anyone with half a brain can pass it. So with that in mind, just because you can pass it, doesn't mean you should. We have a lot of really freakin STUPID drivers on the road because of it.

Maybe the reason why Ghost Rider actually made it to two movies was because the studio rushed into it with this idea that if ______ can do it, Ghost Rider can too.
maninfinesuit
maninfinesuit - 9/8/2013, 7:13 PM
Sometimes an average film that doesn't try to be anything more than what it knows it is can be nice. The Riddick series (or at least two thirds of it) is some decent cinema escapism that allows you the luxury of going in and turning your brain off without being talked down to in the process.
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