Dark Fury - The Chronicles of Riddick (2004)

62% of users liked it
(45,865 ratings)

The Chronicles of Riddick: Dark Fury picks up where the original Pitch Black left off as Riddick is pitted against a ruthless bounty hunter in this animated prequel to the big-event summer movie The Chronicles of Riddick. Vin Diesel returns as the voice of the mysterious hero, with Keith David and… More The Chronicles of Riddick: Dark Fury picks up where the original Pitch Black left off as Riddick is pitted against a ruthless bounty hunter in this animated prequel to the big-event summer movie The Chronicles of Riddick. Vin Diesel returns as the voice of the mysterious hero, with Keith David and Rhiana Griffith also reprising their roles from the first film. Directed by acclaimed animator Peter Chung (Aeon Flux, The Animatrix: Matriculated), this 30-minute direct-to-DVD feature promises highly stylized action and dynamic visuals that are sure to amaze and delight. ~ Jeremy Wheeler, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 30 min.
Directed By: Peter Chung
Genres: Action & Adventure, Animation, Anime & Manga, Science Fiction & Fantasy

In Theaters: Jun 15, 2004 Wide
On DVD: Jun 15, 2004

Critic Reviews

Jeff Dawson, Times [UK]
He's the big, bad and bald muscleman of Hollywood - but he's devoted to Judi Dench and keen to work in independent films that say something.
Marty Mapes, Movie Habit
What Dark Fury doesn't do well is what it wants to do: bridge the gap between two movies
Marty Mapes, Movie Habit
What Dark Fury doesn't do well is what it wants to do: bridge the gap between two movies

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

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Featured Audience Ratings

paul s

Ok, here's my story... I first viewed Chronicles of Riddick when it was a theatrical release. At that time I felt it was passing entertainment and nothing to get too worked up over, in spite of those ultra cool Necromonger ships and armor. I had no idea that Chronicles was a… More
Ok, here's my story... I first viewed Chronicles of Riddick when it was a theatrical release. At that time I felt it was passing entertainment and nothing to get too worked up over, in spite of those ultra cool Necromonger ships and armor. I had no idea that Chronicles was a sequel... my bad. Now, having seen Pitch Black I was anxious to see the animated film that served as a bridge between the two theatrical films, with the idea that I would then revisit Chronicles. So, enough preamble... one may think this is a lot of work for a quasi franchise that had the tomato-meter giving the 3rd film a 20 something rating - but since I kind of enjoyed PB and had access to all 3 films I figured what the heck. Dark Fury picks up where PB ends, with Riddick, the priest and the girl aboard the small craft that they used to escape from the dark planet. The story holds some interest, as they are captured by bounty hunters (or at least some baddies posing as bounty hunters, but with a dark ulterior motive). The anime harkens back to Aeon Flux, only here it is more fluid, the only drawback is that some of the characters appear to be floating when walking. The opening scene is reminiscent of the first Star Wars film, with a spacecraft being totally dwarfed by a much larger one, just as Princess Leia's craft was dwarfed by the Imperial Cruiser. The artwork is very stylized, with some serious attention to detail, from the grandiose statuary similar to the iconic images used in Chronicles, to the movements and affectations of Vin Diesel as Riddick (the famous neck cracking for example). The film also introduces the mercenary who plays a major role in Chronicles, as the film does a nice turn by having the merc gaze out at Riddick's escaping ship and saying "this ain't over". The film is short (at just over 1/2 hour), and really, it's a nice diversion and a testimonial to the anime style of cartoon, while filling in the blanks regarding Riddick's story.
Conner R

A true bridge between Pitch Black and COR, it's really fun and shows off Vin Diesel's many talents. You'd think he'd be limited by animation, but it seemed to accentuate his bizarre features ten fold. The animation is pretty cool with a blend of CGI, it… More
A true bridge between Pitch Black and COR, it's really fun and shows off Vin Diesel's many talents. You'd think he'd be limited by animation, but it seemed to accentuate his bizarre features ten fold. The animation is pretty cool with a blend of CGI, it doesn't feel like a nameless anime type short. They cover a lot of ground within the time frame of thirty minutes and dig deeper into the world of Riddick.
Derek D

Very Aeon Flux-like, which is a big reason why I ejnjoyed this so much. Style points go to the all-important task of gettiing Vin and Keith back to do the voices in this sort-of followup to Pitch Black. Certainly different than the others in the series, but too short and does seems a… More
Very Aeon Flux-like, which is a big reason why I ejnjoyed this so much. Style points go to the all-important task of gettiing Vin and Keith back to do the voices in this sort-of followup to Pitch Black. Certainly different than the others in the series, but too short and does seems a bit hurried. Not too bad, though, overall.
Emily A

This sequel-thing seemed unnecesary, but if you're into the franchise you'll enjoy it. I am and I did. I like the casting and new characters, and it bridges the story gap between the two theatrical movies very well.
Nay Nay B

Give it up for peter chung, but this short is interesting at best. A riddick enthusiast might enjoy it but it was the wrong kind of trippy. Like dissociative rather than psychedelic. Works better with Aeon Flux.
Remi L

The animation was off-putting for me. I know that the director and producers were going for the graphic novel effect, but throughout the film I was half-expecting Dexter to pop out of nowhere yell at everyone to get out of his "lah-boar-ah-tory!" It was a nice little… More
The animation was off-putting for me. I know that the director and producers were going for the graphic novel effect, but throughout the film I was half-expecting Dexter to pop out of nowhere yell at everyone to get out of his "lah-boar-ah-tory!" It was a nice little interlude in between the live action "Pitch Black" and "Chronicles of Riddick" films. Still on the fence as to whether I prefer this incarnation to "Chronicles," because both pale in comparison to "Pitch Black."
Doctor S

Arresting animation by Peter Chung bridging the story of Richard B. Riddick from 'Pitch Black' to 'Chronicles' with a running time of 35 minutes. Inventive mix of 2D & 3D styles. Receives a huge boost from the voicework of the same actors who escaped the… More
Arresting animation by Peter Chung bridging the story of Richard B. Riddick from 'Pitch Black' to 'Chronicles' with a running time of 35 minutes. Inventive mix of 2D & 3D styles. Receives a huge boost from the voicework of the same actors who escaped the planet in 'Pitch Black.' Script contains several good one-liners.