Ultra HD Blu-ray Movie Reviews

Two different home entertainment labels have released impressive 4K editions of the two sequels to Universal’s 2000 sci-fi actioner, Pitch Black. And yes, I know that the headline above lists the movies in reverse release order, but "The Chronicles of Riddick and Riddick" sounded awkward.

---

The Chronicles of Riddick 4K (Arrow)
This 2004 follow-up to Pitch Black (sold separately on 4K, also from Arrow) caught some folks off guard. After all, Richard B. Riddick (Vin Diesel) was a supporting character—behind Rip from Yellowstone and the mom from Man on Fire—and kind of a bad dude, right? Back then, he was a self-centered prisoner who found a higher purpose. This time, he fights—with surprisingly little help—against a religious cult bent on galactic domination, with copious amounts of interplanetary action.

Arrow went the extra mile (lightyear?) to deliver their usual outstanding work. The 4K/16-bit scan has been restored by Arrow and approved by writer/director David Twohy, presented on separate platters in both the theatrical and extended director’s cuts. (The reinstated scenes appear to be upscaled from lower-quality sources.) The original lossless 5.1 track is supplied for both cuts, with a Dolby Atmos remix available on the theatrical version.

Exclusive to this limited-edition set is a third disc with the theatrical cut presented in a 1.78:1 aspect ratio—essentially revealing more of the top and bottom beyond the intended 2.4:1 to fill the TV screen. It’s a different experience that works well, thanks to some keen forethought by director of photography Hugh Johnson. Although I wouldn’t necessarily recommend this over the classic framing, it does maintain the superb remastering seen on its wider counterpart. Props to Arrow for utilizing the new Atmos remix on Disc Three as well, and for serving up the video in 4K and Dolby Vision. In fact, there are no HD Blu-rays in this three-disc set—only 100GB Ultra HD discs.

The extras for Chronicles are spread across the three discs, chief among them a new feature-length behind-the-scenes documentary. Heaps of archival extras are included, too: two commentaries on the director’s cut (one featuring Diesel and writer/director David Twohy), Vin’s cutscenes from the better-than-expected Escape from Butcher Bay tie-in videogame, and many focused featurettes. The package arrives slipcased with a booklet and reversible cover art.

---

Riddick 4K (Scream Factory/Shout Studios)
Nine years later, Riddick returned… in Riddick. Less noble and easing back into his fugitive groove, he fights an onslaught of nasty humanoids and beasties in his seemingly unending quest for survival against the odds.

Scream Factory delivers a bright, clean, and colorful new 4K/Dolby Vision restoration of both the theatrical and unrated versions, supervised and approved by David Twohy. Both versions are available on Disc One via seamless branching on a 100GB platter, accompanied by what sounds like the existing kickass DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack.

Disc Two contains an HD Blu-ray of the unrated version, while Disc Three holds the theatrical cut in high definition. Both discs are sourced from the new master and include the aforementioned lossless 5.1 audio. The set features three new interview segments, including one with the always-delightful Katee Sackhoff, who plays the bounty hunter, Dahl, plus a half-dozen legacy featurettes. The three-disc set comes with its own matching slipcase.

I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention that a Twohy-sanctioned edit for content is present in all versions of the movie in this set, removing a moment when Mr. Diesel’s character gets handsy with Ms. Sackhoff’s late in the story. Decide for yourself if this is a dealbreaker.