For those unwilling to sit through this unexpectedly star-studded movie (c'mon, Dame Judi Dench graces the silver screen in this), here is a synopsis: the movie takes place five years after the events in Pitch Black. Riddick re-enters society to search out who placed the 1.5 million credit bounty on his head. As it turns out, he is part of a prophecy that foretells the downfall of the leader of the Necromongers, a traveling society of warring religious zealots on their way to their holy land. Those who wish to stop the Necromongers put their faith in Riddick. Along the way he runs a lot and kills a bunch of people, but is also reunited with Jack/Kyra from Pitch Black to help display Riddick's softer side.
Clearly, the movie wants you to believe that the religious leader, Lord Marshal, is the evil villain pointlessly exterminating whole worlds in his seemingly silly quest for the UnderVerse. However, I argue that Lord Marshal is no different from any other religious figurehead, such as Jesus, Muhammad or Buddha. The story of Lord Marshal was that he actually made a pilgrimage to the gates of the UnderVerse and came back half-alive and half-something else, along with the added bonus of being able to rip out peoples' souls, kind of like Shao Khan. He is no mere mortal, and his displayed paranormal powers raise him above his common man and place him closer to a prophet.
The reason for his annihilation of societies stems from the Necromonger religion. Lord Marshal is following his doctrine and trying to populate the UnderVerse with the use of such weapons as the Final Protocol. Similar to an atom bomb, as far as I can tell, it is responsible for the death of tens of thousands. But as long as what Lord Marshal orders is following religious doctrine, who are we to judge the ethics of his religion, especially one with so many followers?
And it's not like the UnderVerse is some intangible concept that resides in the pages of some scripture or the imagination of devout followers. UnderVerse is real as Lord Marshal had traveled to it and came back with some amazing powers as evidence. In my eyes this legitimizes this religion. It is not some mere cult of war mongers intent on dominating the universe. They truly are traveling to their promised land of the UnderVerse.
The Purifier, essentially a Necromonger proselytizer admitted to Riddick, “I've done...unbelievable things...in the name of a faith that was never my own.” You said it mister, haven't we all? Whether it be no meat on Fridays or having to wear your hair a certain way. Also something to note, he said “unbelievable” which is neutral in terms of morality. “Unbelievable” even connotes something that would instill awe in others, in other words, amazing things. Had he said “terrible things,” it'd be a different thing all together.
If you're having trouble seeing Lord Marshal as not evil, let's juxtapose him with Riddick. Riddick is still the typical apathetic antihero. He kneels to no man and lives life as he pleases without regard for the laws of man; he is a wanted convict after all. He has no ties to a homeland or people. Sure the Necromongers destroyed his home planet of Furya, but Riddick doesn't even remember his childhood or family as he was only an infant when it happened. He doesn't care about societies being wiped out by Necromongers. He only wants to kill Lord Marshal so that he can go back to living his solitary life.
A life of apathy is no way to live. At least Lord Marshal believes in something and has faith that he will accomplish his religion's goal of reaching the UnderVerse. Faith, determination and hard work are attributes of an individual to be commended in any society.
Can you really judge someone to be evil if they are adhering to the doctrines of their faith? What, just because Lord Marshal's religious acts go against those in your religious scriptures he should be branded as evil? But really, then it becomes an argument of “my religion is better than your religion and therefore I'm right and you're wrong,” which when you think about it is really immature. I'm pretty sure Lord Marshal would think any Jain to be evil as they prescribe to a life of non-violence and the protection of all living beings. UnderVerse isn't going to populate itself, you know.
Perhaps my understanding of the Necromonger way isn't completely accurate, but I didn't have much to work with...Maybe when Riddick 3 is released, all my Necromonger questions will be answered and I might revise my argument. But until then here is my verdict. Lord Marshal: a man of passion and determination. A true prophet of his religion. A soul-grabbing holy Half-Dead. I don't see evil anywhere in that description. Evilness: 0.5 evil (credit for his soul-stealing ability).
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