The Chronicles Of Riddick – Limited Edition – 4K Review
This post contains affiliate links. Please see my full disclosure here.
Arrow | 2024
Unrated | 3 versions | 1hr 59mins (Theatrical Version) | Action | Adventure | Sci-Fi | Thriller
Native 4K | 2160P | HDR10 | Dolby Vision | Dolby Atmos | Dolby TrueHD 7.1 | DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
Aspect Ratios: 2.40:1 and 1.78:1 – depends on version
Staring: Vin Diesel | Colm Feore | Thandiwe Newton | Judi Dench | Karl Urban | Alexa Davalos
Directed by: David Twohy
Ratings & Reviews
Please see here for my comments on reviewing movies.
My ratings are simple being marked out of a maximum of 5+. My reviews are biased towards the technical production aspects of the film with brief comments about the story line. Extras, sorry, that’s just not my ‘bag’.
So what did the 4K HDR10 video look like? Occasionally hits reference, and the Dolby TrueHD 7.1 soundtrack? Also hitting reference on occasions.
Entertainment: 5
Video: 5-
Audio: 5-
Video: 4K HDR 10
The Chronicles of Riddick is presented on Blu-ray courtesy of Arrow Video with HEVC / H.265 encoded 2160p transfers in either 2.40:1 or 1.78:1 aspect ratios. The included insert booklet offers the following information on the restoration:
- The Chronicles of Riddick has been exclusively restored by Arrow Films. The Theatrical Cut is presented in its original aspect ratio of 2.40:1 and an alternate aspect ratio of 1.78:1. The Director’s Cut is presented in the 2.40:1 aspect ratio. The soundtrack is presented in 5.1 surround and Dolby Atmos for the Theatrical Cut.
- The original Super 35 camera negative was scanned in 4K 16-bit at NBC Universal. Additional 2K master files were sourced for the sections unique to the Director’s Cut. The film was restored and graded in 4K SDR, HDR10 and Dolby Vision by Silver Salt Restoration, London. Grading review and approval by the director was completed at Illuminate, Hollywood.
- The 5.1 mix was sourced from NBC Universal. Additional audio remastering and Atmos mixing was completed at Deluxe Audio London.
- Restoration supervised by James Pearcey and James White, Arrow Films.
- All materials sourced for this new master were made available by NBC Universal.
The Chronicles of Riddick was originally captured on 35mm photochemical film by cinematographer Hugh Johnson using cameras with lenses. It was originally finished as a 2K Digital Intermediate at the 2.39:1 aspect ratio. For this 4K release, the original 35mm negative was rescanned in 4k 16-bit and graded for HDR in both Dolby Vision and HDR10. These triple-layer BD100 discs have been well authored and shows no obvious use of noise reduction or edge sharpening and few compression artifacts. Photochemical noise and grain are quite noticeable on occasions but is not particularly intrusive and shows no blocking or clumping offering an “organic” look to the presentation. The package is a three disc set; Disc 1 – Theatrical Cut (1:59:07), Disc 2 – Director’s Cut (2:14:05) and Disc 3 – Theatrical Cut Open Matte Version (1:59:07).
With the film shot in Super 35 and re-scanned at 4K, this 4K release has good overall image clarity with a good display of crisp, sharp detail, with refined texturing throughout. Objects, costumes, threads and facial close-ups provide very good detail and definition, from the costume fabrics and stitching to the various material finishes and sets. Facial pores, stubble, wrinkles, eyelashes, hair strands, sweat, facial grime and features are all accurately rendered without any undue exaggerations. CGI and special effects integration are quite good for the movies age, having realistic textures, blending well with the real action shots and rarely looking too soft. Except that some of the 2K additional material seems to look a little softer and more noisy. Clouds, terrain, rocks, sand and fire storms all looking looking quite natural. Effects like explosions, flying objects and debris are all well integrated into the live action with few distractions.
Contrast balance was excellent throughout, from the brilliant uncompressed whites of the daylight exterior shots, heat/fire storms and the dazzling specular highlights to the deep and noise-free inky blacks of the Necromongers armor and internal cavern and building shots, that showed excellent low level and shadow detail. In particular the specular highlights that add a beaming glow to clouds and sun-rise on Crematoria and a realistic sheen along many metallic and armor surfaces. All providing a true-to-life impact, generating a very good dynamic contrast range and enhancing visibility of objects in both exterior and interior shots, creating a very good depth of image.
The color palette is deliberately a little limited presenting with a moderate array of colors, from the opening sequence blue-green look, the many yellow/orange tinged scenes and almost electric looking purple material on the “U.V.” planet to the various amber, occasional sepia toned and almost monochromatic moments. Color fidelity is good throughout with a few flashes of vivid and well saturated primaries and secondary’s, all having good color depth and density. From the vibrant reds, yellows and oranges of the sunrise and fire storms, the earthy tones of various terrains, Riddick’s blue eyes to various flashes of red, blue and green. Skin tones and facial complexions throughout looking very natural.
This video is good on all fronts, providing a selection of reference HDR10 moments.
Audio – Dolby TrueHD 7.1
The Chronicles of Riddick explodes into home theaters with a new and almost reference, Dolby Atmos mix that defaults to Dolby TrueHD 7.1 in my system. You will also find the original great sounding DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track, on the Director’s Cut. The Dolby TrueHD 7.1 soundtrack was engaging throughout whether during an emotional drama or an action scene having extended bass, clarity and dynamics.
The overall sound presentation is dynamic, with good sub involvement and good surround action. The soundstage is wide, and surrounds are often active with ambience, directional cues and movement, delivering an active environment that drops the listener both into calm environments and action-packed spectacles alike. Effects placement are accurate and natural, with movement in both the rear and side surrounds, together with the general environmental and enclosure acoustics effects consistently pulling you into the many locals and environments, like the wide open bleak deserts, spaceships interiors and prison caverns. From those quieter, dialogue-heavy sequences steeped in surrounding activity and echo of voices, screams, yells, and footsteps, to the various weaponry, spaceship engines and explosions. All fill the surrounds pulling you into the scene and keeping you “in the mix”.
Sub action is solid, having a respectable low-end extension, supporting the roar of spaceship engines, explosions, physical impacts and weapons blasts and impacts. Imaging continuously feels broad and expansive following the action as it moves on and off-screen. Dialogue is always crystal clear and well detailed with an excellent mid-range and solid front-center imaging and prioritization, providing good clarity and detail no matter how aggressive the action.
Flushing out the soundscape and supporting the movie throughout its entire length, the films score, composed by Graeme Revell offers a good supportive mix, being seamlessly immersive, perfectly clear, and presented with good bass. Hitting a good balance between the dialogue and effects the score provides a light spill into the surrounds and good integration within the soundstage.
A very good audio track that hits reference levels on several occasions.
Story Overview
Five years ago, escaped convict Riddick (Vin Diesel) escaped from a desert planet with his two companions, a religious man Abu “Imam” al-Walid (Keith David) and runaway teenage girl Jack (Rhiana Griffith). Now, escaped convict Riddick finds himself caught in the middle of a galactic war waged by the Lord Marshal (Colm Feore), the leader of a sect called the Necromongers. Riddick eventually discovers from Aereon (Dame Judi Dench), an ethereal ambassador of the Elemental race, that she is seeking out Furians, a race of warriors in a bid to balance the universe, of which it turns out Riddick is one. After being chased by a group of bounty hunters Riddick finds himself on the colonized planet New Mecca and is reunited with Abu “Imam” al-Walid. After the planet is attacked by the Necromongers, Riddick ends up a prisoner on the planet Crematoria where he meets up with the teenage girl Jack, now known as Kyra. Riddick and Kyra escape Crematoria, where Riddick, helped by Necromonger warrior Vaako (Karl Urban) and his wife Dame Vaako (Thandie Newton), now have to defeat the Lord Marshal, in order to save the universe from his rule and prevent the rest of humanity from being converted into Nercomonger warriors.
My 2 cents
For me this film still holds up well some eleven years after its original release in 2013. There are several strong characters from Riddick to the Lord Marshal and Aereon all supported by plenty of action in those off-worlds and post-apocalyptic and dystopian wastelands. Video and audio are very good throughout occasionally hitting reference level.
Purchase from Amazon here.
