Riddick

After the ambitious first sequel to Pitch Black failed, you can see why producers would want to return to familiar territory, but something still isn’t working. After a coup, Riddick (Diesel) is abandoned on an all-new desert planet with an all-new monstrous alien life form to contend with. Unfortunately he’s also saddled with a messy, indulgent script that’s light years behind the efficient original.

There are so many elements jostling for attention that more important factors, like a huge threat, which might produce some tension or motivation, are all but forgotten. Tone is also a problem: cartoonish alien puppies sit awkwardly alongside decapitation and sexual violence. Indeed, despite including genre favourite Katee Sackhoff, this is one of the most jarringly misogynistic films of recent years and a big step backwards from even the first film. None of this is Diesel’s fault, but sci-fi fans deserve much better than this. [Scott McKellar]