Notable Science Fiction Gaffes, Part 1

Over the next several posts, we will look at those ambitious Science Fiction movies that didn't quite make the grade. Perhaps by analyzing these embarrassing failures, we can pinpoint exactly why they didn't work, so that future generations of movie goers can avoid being suckered in by similar dismal efforts.



The Chronicles of Riddick

The Hype: The sequel to an independent movie with a decent cult fan base, this epic sci fi tale was supposed to be the first part in a planned trilogy starring then action "star" Vin Diesel. As the titular galactic ne'er do well with the freaky eyes, Diesel was to badass his way through a dark army intent on conquering the universe while learning about his own mysterious origins.

What Went Wrong? Who can pinpoint any one thing? Was it the plodding pace of the movie? The stilted acting? The lackluster CG effects? The confusing mythologies and histories all crammed together in clunky bits of exposition? Certainly all of these factors lent a hand, but I'm pretty sure the biggest offender was dialog like "I haven't smelled beautiful in a long time." (Referring of course to a woman that Riddick happened to be smelling. He wasn't remarking on his own pleasant odor.)

More to come in the days ahead. If anyone has any of their own examples, by all means toss 'em out there.