Riddick began life as a small budget sci-fi adventure with ‘Pitch Black’ which saw dangerous fugitive Riddick (Vin Diesel) crash land on a mysterious planet whilst being transported to a high security prison. What ensues is a dark and action packed cat-and-mouse chase across the vast landscape that sees them team up against hordes of alien creatures. A superb introduction to a new leading anti-hero which unfortunately was cut short with the ‘Star Wars’-esque universe expanding of its sequel, ‘Chronicles of Riddick’.

Taking away everything the prequel had to set up and instead just killed of what was set to be a great franchise.

Five years after the events of ‘Chronicles…’ Riddick hands over his title as Lord with Vanko (Carl Urban) in exchange of transport to his home world and freedom from the Government politics that had surrounded him with the title. Vanko carries out his side of the bargain but Riddick soon realises that the planet he has been transported to is not his home, but instead a vast wasteland of violent creatures and turbulent storms.

Riddick’s misfortune doesn’t end there as when he launches a distress signal, company arrives in the shape of mercenaries there to collect his head in a box. Led by Santana (Jordi Molla) and aided by WWE superstar Bautista. Armed to the teeth their hunt begins but is soon interrupted by the arrival of another band of hunters, this time led by Boss (Matthew Noble) who wants to keep Riddick alive.

As day becomes night they are going to have to work together to capture Riddick at his best, and rest assured… Riddick is back!

Stripping down the story that ruined the franchise, everything about ‘Riddick’ (even its title) goes back to its roots as an all action, sci-fi blast. Not only does Riddick need to fend of the natives but there are bullets and blood aplenty as he uses his environment, and bikes to deal out his justice.

Somehow, by reducing the story to the same concept as the first movie, it makes a welcome return of what was thought to be a dead franchise. It may seem like a loose remake but believe me, compared to some of 2013’s releases and this year’s current schedule, it is a much needed breath of fresh air. Which makes it all so surprising that 13 years after its original conception, the series has had to go full circle and Twohy’s vision of a full blown science fiction franchise has ended in a double crossing, back stabbing battle to the finish.

It’s a shame that this feels like a new origin story treading territory previously covered and working better as a stand alone film rather than the continuation of anything before abandoning the brilliant ‘Pitch Black’. In its attempts to replicate the thrills of that classic, it appears that ‘Riddick’ is nothing more than a, albeit good, imitation of what has already been.

From creature design to its tone, ‘Riddick’ is a fine example of how to do it right. There is death a plenty and character friction, from the band of mercs to Riddick’s relationship with his dog all leads to Riddick being the franchise reboot we need. So with this we must all be thankful for Diesels return to the ‘Fast and Furious’ franchise as without his return as this lead to the rights of the franchise being handed to Diesel without the big studio constraints. So praise be it that our hero is back; bigger and badder than ever!