While most movies that pit humans against horrendous extra terrestrials end up being cheap imitations of the 'Aliens' series, Pitch Black stands as a fine piece of Sci-Fi, and an excellent movie all around. Perhaps my favorite aspect of the film is the lighting. This movie beautifully employs many different colors, shades and intensities of light which set the mood and lend a unique feeling to the film itself, something different than the 'normal' movie lighting we are generally subjected to. Vin Diesel brings his character to life in an excellent manner, skillfully avoiding the routine portrayal of the hardened criminal. After all, the film is about Riddick's (Diesel's character) personal journey, so thankfully Vin doesn't drop the ball. The remainder of the cast (with the exception of the talented and gorgeous Claudia Black) were unknown to me but all turned in marvelous performances, animating the diverse characters with unique quirks and mannerisms. Pitch Black is a perfect example of making a great film with out the resources of an excessive budget. The special effects are more than adequate, but at the same time they are by no means the sole focus, as in many high budget 'blockbusters'. It's a great movie because it uses Science Fiction as a medium to tell an engaging, provoking story, rather then telling a mediocre story to use the flash of Science Fiction.
880 Reviews
This is a great film! If this is your genre', you won't be disappointed . . .
charles00028 September 2011
I will admit, I was already a fan of Serenity, Riddick Chronicles and all that, so I did go into this film with a bit of predetermined anticipation. On the flip side, I'm not always that much of a Vin Deisel fan, in that he is somewhat mono-dimensional in his range of characters, but for the embodiment of Riddick, he does fit perfectly. As for the story and how it plays out, the pace is good, not too encumbered with gratuitous special effects and all that, but where it does fit, the CGI is well done and appropriate.
The one really glaring technical defect in this story is how everyone just gets out and starts walking around, breathing in the air without the slightest concern for differences in the atmosphere, microbes and so on, but this is a common flaw that is often somehow glossed over in many such stories, so I can't harp on that detail too much.
As for Radha Mitchell, she is smokin' hot here, not in a ridiculous or frivolous way, but as her tough, seasoned interplanetary merchant marine ship's captain character "Fry", she nails it perfectly. If anything, she very much reminds me of Andrea Osvart (see her as the Hungarian assassin "Gilda" in the film "Two Tigers").
Now, if these two ladies ever appeared together in a film, I would drop everything and go check that out in a heartbeat . . . but I digress.
In any case, I have no trouble with granting 8 stars to "Pitch Black".
The one really glaring technical defect in this story is how everyone just gets out and starts walking around, breathing in the air without the slightest concern for differences in the atmosphere, microbes and so on, but this is a common flaw that is often somehow glossed over in many such stories, so I can't harp on that detail too much.
As for Radha Mitchell, she is smokin' hot here, not in a ridiculous or frivolous way, but as her tough, seasoned interplanetary merchant marine ship's captain character "Fry", she nails it perfectly. If anything, she very much reminds me of Andrea Osvart (see her as the Hungarian assassin "Gilda" in the film "Two Tigers").
Now, if these two ladies ever appeared together in a film, I would drop everything and go check that out in a heartbeat . . . but I digress.
In any case, I have no trouble with granting 8 stars to "Pitch Black".
Surprisingly fun!
MovieAddict201627 September 2003
Warning: Spoilers
I must say that I didn't expect much sitting down to watch "Pitch Black," but I got a lot back, in terms of excitement and pure fun. It's the type of flick where you can just lean back, relax, and have a great time just being entertained. This isn't a deep film by any means. Everything that it offers is either recycled or ripped off of other movies such as "Alien," "Predator" or such. But when I watch a rip-off, I want it to be good, and this rip-off is great.
It opens with a galaxy of stars. Some of the greatest films of all time open with this type of scene - "2001," "Star Wars," "Alien," "Predator." A ship is cruising through space when inside the entire cryogenically frozen crew is awoken. The ship has been hit by something. They crash land on a nasty little planet with three suns. Everyone flocks out of the ship when they find that their prisoner transport, Richard Riddick (Vin Diesel), has escaped confinement. They scan the desert planet in search of him and eventually find him, but they have no way of getting their ship to fly again. They search the planet for water and civilization but it seems that everyone suddenly disappeared from the planet not too long ago.
Then they find out that every 22 years the planets line up in a solar eclipse and the entire planet turns pitch black. There also happen to be hoards of aliens that thrive in darkness living on the planet - what are the chances? They happen to be on the planet right as the eclipse happens - what are the chances? And Riddick has a rare talent - he can see in the dark - again, what are the chances?
There seems to be a lot of coincedence in this movie, but a film like this isn't out to get Oscars for originality or believability. It's there to entertain the audience - it does so with ease. Vin Diesel is a big gorilla of a man with no acting talent whatsoever. But I've got to say if there's anyone who can fit the part of a trashy, homicidal felon it is Diesel. Listen to him mutter, "He did not know who he was fu**ing with." Great stuff.
The aliens in this movie are a mix between hammerhead sharks, those from "Alien" and Predators. They've got long, horizontal heads like a hammerhead, the quick-moving agility of the aliens, and the stealth of a Predator. I assume David Twohy (director and writer of the movie) didn't expect audiences to believe his creatures were truly something never seen before. At least I hope not.
"Aliens Redux" might be a better name for this movie, but then again, it is better than both the second and third "Alien" films put together. In a time when apparently ended series are getting revived - "Terminator 3," "Alien 5," "Predator 3," "Alien vs. Predator" - "Pitch Black" stands out as a new series altogether. Two more sequels are planned. Let's just hope they don't get carried away. I can just picture it twenty-five years from now: "Aliens vs. Predator vs. Pitch Black Aliens: *The Fight of the Year."
*Fight of the Year title may be shared with the upcoming film "Freddy vs. Jason vs. Michael vs. Leatherface vs. Norman Bates vs. Alien vs. Predator vs. Terminator vs. James Cameron vs. Barny the Dinosaur."
4/5.
It opens with a galaxy of stars. Some of the greatest films of all time open with this type of scene - "2001," "Star Wars," "Alien," "Predator." A ship is cruising through space when inside the entire cryogenically frozen crew is awoken. The ship has been hit by something. They crash land on a nasty little planet with three suns. Everyone flocks out of the ship when they find that their prisoner transport, Richard Riddick (Vin Diesel), has escaped confinement. They scan the desert planet in search of him and eventually find him, but they have no way of getting their ship to fly again. They search the planet for water and civilization but it seems that everyone suddenly disappeared from the planet not too long ago.
Then they find out that every 22 years the planets line up in a solar eclipse and the entire planet turns pitch black. There also happen to be hoards of aliens that thrive in darkness living on the planet - what are the chances? They happen to be on the planet right as the eclipse happens - what are the chances? And Riddick has a rare talent - he can see in the dark - again, what are the chances?
There seems to be a lot of coincedence in this movie, but a film like this isn't out to get Oscars for originality or believability. It's there to entertain the audience - it does so with ease. Vin Diesel is a big gorilla of a man with no acting talent whatsoever. But I've got to say if there's anyone who can fit the part of a trashy, homicidal felon it is Diesel. Listen to him mutter, "He did not know who he was fu**ing with." Great stuff.
The aliens in this movie are a mix between hammerhead sharks, those from "Alien" and Predators. They've got long, horizontal heads like a hammerhead, the quick-moving agility of the aliens, and the stealth of a Predator. I assume David Twohy (director and writer of the movie) didn't expect audiences to believe his creatures were truly something never seen before. At least I hope not.
"Aliens Redux" might be a better name for this movie, but then again, it is better than both the second and third "Alien" films put together. In a time when apparently ended series are getting revived - "Terminator 3," "Alien 5," "Predator 3," "Alien vs. Predator" - "Pitch Black" stands out as a new series altogether. Two more sequels are planned. Let's just hope they don't get carried away. I can just picture it twenty-five years from now: "Aliens vs. Predator vs. Pitch Black Aliens: *The Fight of the Year."
*Fight of the Year title may be shared with the upcoming film "Freddy vs. Jason vs. Michael vs. Leatherface vs. Norman Bates vs. Alien vs. Predator vs. Terminator vs. James Cameron vs. Barny the Dinosaur."
4/5.
Relentless and gorgeous sci-fi action film
mstomaso10 September 2006
Let me waste a moment of your time to explain how I approached this film. 1st I dismissed the trailers out of hand because the film appeared to be an uncredited remake of Aliens, which I consider to be one of the weakest films in the Alien series. Stupidly continuing to dismiss the film after I heard positive things about it from people whose opinions I trust, I missed the theatrical run completely. I then became hooked on Farscape, in its 3rd or 4th season at the time, and found Pitch Black on cable one night around bed time - so I said "oh why not, at least it has Claudia Black in it." Soon, I recognized Keith David, and began to realize that Vin Diesel, Radha Mitchell and Cole Hauser could all act (why this should surprise me, I do not know). I was captivated. I have now remained captivated for four years. I just watched the film for the 3rd or 4th time, and I still love it.
This is not an art film, not an independent, and its not entirely original, but where it fails to break a lot of new ground, it utterly succeeds in providing interesting, realistic characters, hard-driving action in the medium of a compelling but simple plot, and non-stop entertainment; an absolutely beautiful environment with tastefully rendered special effects. Sound to good to be true? Don't take my word for it... see it for yourself.
The film also highlighted the charisma of the now somewhat iconoclastic Vin Diesel, introducing the character of Richard Riddick. Diesel would go on to star in the somewhat Riddick-ulous Chronicles thereof (which I also enjoyed, though recognizing its rather huge flaws) and is now something of a legend. Diesel is so charismatic, so big, and so interesting to watch that it is easy to ignore the fact that he is not only a talented actor, but a smart one too. Checking out the DVD version of Pitch Black, with the audio comments on might just blow you away.
The film is about the crew of an inter-system transport ship stranded on an unknown planet after a crash-landing in which their captain was killed. The new commander is inexperienced but bright and heroic (Mitchell), but she is caught between two dominant and dangerous personalities - a bounty hunter with secrets (Hauser) and a dangerous criminal who has been surgically altered to see in the dark (Diesel). Is that all? Of course not - the planet is inhabited, and the inhabitants are hungry.
As unoriginal and improbable as some of this may be, Pitch Black is beautifully filmed, well told, and very nicely performed. Don't expect to learn anything, and don't expect to have to think a whole lot, but do expect to have fun with this modern sci-fi action classic.
This is not an art film, not an independent, and its not entirely original, but where it fails to break a lot of new ground, it utterly succeeds in providing interesting, realistic characters, hard-driving action in the medium of a compelling but simple plot, and non-stop entertainment; an absolutely beautiful environment with tastefully rendered special effects. Sound to good to be true? Don't take my word for it... see it for yourself.
The film also highlighted the charisma of the now somewhat iconoclastic Vin Diesel, introducing the character of Richard Riddick. Diesel would go on to star in the somewhat Riddick-ulous Chronicles thereof (which I also enjoyed, though recognizing its rather huge flaws) and is now something of a legend. Diesel is so charismatic, so big, and so interesting to watch that it is easy to ignore the fact that he is not only a talented actor, but a smart one too. Checking out the DVD version of Pitch Black, with the audio comments on might just blow you away.
The film is about the crew of an inter-system transport ship stranded on an unknown planet after a crash-landing in which their captain was killed. The new commander is inexperienced but bright and heroic (Mitchell), but she is caught between two dominant and dangerous personalities - a bounty hunter with secrets (Hauser) and a dangerous criminal who has been surgically altered to see in the dark (Diesel). Is that all? Of course not - the planet is inhabited, and the inhabitants are hungry.
As unoriginal and improbable as some of this may be, Pitch Black is beautifully filmed, well told, and very nicely performed. Don't expect to learn anything, and don't expect to have to think a whole lot, but do expect to have fun with this modern sci-fi action classic.
great sci-fi horror
SnoopyStyle26 October 2015
The spaceship Hunter-Gratzner crashes on a desert planet. Pilot Carolyn Fry (Radha Mitchell) tries to take control after the captain is killed. Bounty hunter William J. Johns (Cole Hauser) is transporting prisoner Richard B. Riddick (Vin Diesel). There are also holy man Abu 'Imam' al-Walid (Keith David) and his young charges, antiquities dealer Paris P. Ogilvie, runaway Jack (Rhiana Griffith), John Zeke Ezekiel and Sharon 'Shazza' Montgomery (Claudia Black). They discover that the planet's 3 suns align to have a nightfall every 22 years and creatures from below rise up to massacre every creature on the surface. They are forced to rely on the killer Riddick and his night vision.
This is great smallish sci-fi horror. Radha Mitchell does a nice Ripley. This reminds me a lot of Alien which I consider one of the greatest movies ever. It's got good desolate settings. Vin Diesel is the Man. This starts as an interesting character that turns into something great. The creature feature plus the darkness make this even better.
This is great smallish sci-fi horror. Radha Mitchell does a nice Ripley. This reminds me a lot of Alien which I consider one of the greatest movies ever. It's got good desolate settings. Vin Diesel is the Man. This starts as an interesting character that turns into something great. The creature feature plus the darkness make this even better.
The director just loves Riddick
justahunch-7054920 March 2023
I remembered this as a tight, well made and exciting little sci-fi film, but either I've become more judgmental twenty three years ago or this just hasn't aged well. Actually, it's just the first third or that is a problem. The beginning has quite a bit of poor acting and preposterous behavior from the survivors of a crashed space ship on an unknown planet. They adjust to the monstrous crash they've just been through, which is well done, and new surroundings astoundingly rapidly. They barely seem shook up and are not remotely believable. However, it gets better and the last two thirds are still pretty exciting. I kind of remembered the final scenes, but not the actual ending, so I was a little surprised, which is always good. Bottom line, this is a pretty good sorta Grade B type movie that gave the world Vin Diesel for better or worse. There was a terrible sequel to this, with Judi Dench no less, and another that I don't think I saw. The director hasn't made a film since Riddick 13 years ago and is now making two more. This character is this guy's directing career!
Diesel's Best
damianphelps16 January 2021
A totally brilliant movie!!
This is a wonderful blend of sci-fi, horror and action as Vin Diesel teaches everyone not to mess with him!
Diesel brings the appropriate amount of menace to the character and the story that winds around is he a good guy or a bad guy or both. You never really know how he is going to act, right up to the end. This doubt really serves the movie well. Who is the actual enemy is it the aliens or is it Riddick?
The style of the movie draws the viewer in and makes you feel like you are on the ground with them, feeling their fears.
Totally brilliant movie :)
This is a wonderful blend of sci-fi, horror and action as Vin Diesel teaches everyone not to mess with him!
Diesel brings the appropriate amount of menace to the character and the story that winds around is he a good guy or a bad guy or both. You never really know how he is going to act, right up to the end. This doubt really serves the movie well. Who is the actual enemy is it the aliens or is it Riddick?
The style of the movie draws the viewer in and makes you feel like you are on the ground with them, feeling their fears.
Totally brilliant movie :)
A Very Pleasant Surprise; Good Performance By Vin Diesel
sddavis639 July 2009
Exciting and interesting from the start, I have to say that while I approached this movie with at best limited expectations I came away from it pleasantly surprised. Vin Diesel is not really my cup of tea as an actor, but in fact he put on a very good performance in this futuristic sci-fi drama as Richard Riddick, a convicted murderer who's being transported to prison on a spaceship that crashlands on a strange alien world. Once there, the survivors discover that there are terrifying creatures who come out only in the dark, which at first doesn't seem much of a problem since the planet has three suns and is never dark. They then discover, though, that the planet is about to go into an eclipse, plunging it into complete darkness for an unknown length of time, and releasing the creatures to hunt them down.
Diesel's Riddick ends up as the hero of the movie, because he has surgically enhanced eyesight that allows him to see in the dark, and so he takes on the task of leading the others to safety. This movie is at times frightening, and on the odd occasion graphic, but not gratuitously so. A lot of effort was put by director David Twohy into developing the character of Riddick, and into portraying the change as the others slowly learn to trust him with their lives. I thought it slowed down a bit in the last third or so of the movie, and somehow became less interesting once the creatures were actually released by the eclipse. There seemed to be far more suspense as the survivors tried to figure out some of the mysteries of the planet and as they faced the approaching darkness. Once the darkness came, in some ways the movie became a pretty standard sci-fi monster type of movie. Still, it was a lot better than I had expected it to be. 7/10
Diesel's Riddick ends up as the hero of the movie, because he has surgically enhanced eyesight that allows him to see in the dark, and so he takes on the task of leading the others to safety. This movie is at times frightening, and on the odd occasion graphic, but not gratuitously so. A lot of effort was put by director David Twohy into developing the character of Riddick, and into portraying the change as the others slowly learn to trust him with their lives. I thought it slowed down a bit in the last third or so of the movie, and somehow became less interesting once the creatures were actually released by the eclipse. There seemed to be far more suspense as the survivors tried to figure out some of the mysteries of the planet and as they faced the approaching darkness. Once the darkness came, in some ways the movie became a pretty standard sci-fi monster type of movie. Still, it was a lot better than I had expected it to be. 7/10
It Is not With Riddick that They Have to Be Worried about
claudio_carvalho6 November 2016
When the transport ship "Hunter-Gratzner" is hit by a meteor shower, the pilot Carolyn Fry (Radha Mitchell) is awaken from the cryogenic sleep and tries to control the vessel with forty passengers. She is forced to release a module and only Carolyn; the bounty hunter William J. Johns (Cole Hauser); the religious Abu "Imam" al-Walid Lewis (Keith David); the dealer Paris P. Ogilvie (Lewis Fitz- Gerald); Sharon 'Shazza' Montgomery (Claudia Black); the runaway teenager Jack (Rhiana Griffith); John 'Zeke' Ezekiel (John Moore); Suleiman (Les Chantery); Hassan (Sam Sari); Ali (Firass Dirani); and the dangerous criminal Richard B. Riddick (Vin Diesel) survive. Riddick escapes and Johns scares the survivors telling how dangerous he is. The group is stranded in the desert and find that place is heated by three suns and they team-up to seek for water and supplies. Soon they discover that there are under siege of flesh eating aliens that attack in the darkness; further, the planet will be pitch black with a total eclipse. They conclude that it is not with Riddick that they have to be worried about.
After sixteen years, "Pitch Black" is still a great B-movie that may be considered a new-classic in the present days. The story is engaging with good special effects. But the most amazing is the direction and the perfect casting of unknown actors and actresses. "Pitch Black" brought the attention of the audiences to Vin Diesel in his first success; Radha Mitchell, from "Everything Put Together" of the same year, is perfect in the role of Carolyn Fry; and the always efficient Cole Hauser and Keith David have also great performances. The noncommercial conclusion is also a plus of "Pitch Black". My vote is eight.
Title (Brazil) "Eclipse Mortal" ("Mortal Eclipse")
Note: On 04 September 2023, I saw this film again.
After sixteen years, "Pitch Black" is still a great B-movie that may be considered a new-classic in the present days. The story is engaging with good special effects. But the most amazing is the direction and the perfect casting of unknown actors and actresses. "Pitch Black" brought the attention of the audiences to Vin Diesel in his first success; Radha Mitchell, from "Everything Put Together" of the same year, is perfect in the role of Carolyn Fry; and the always efficient Cole Hauser and Keith David have also great performances. The noncommercial conclusion is also a plus of "Pitch Black". My vote is eight.
Title (Brazil) "Eclipse Mortal" ("Mortal Eclipse")
Note: On 04 September 2023, I saw this film again.
Pitch Black (2000)
jonahstewartvaughan27 January 2023
Warning: Spoilers
Cult Cuts Volume 7
#2/4: Pitch Black (2000)
(9/10):Seriously underrated sci-fi horror!
As his first major live action film,Vin Diesel fronts the first entry into the cult film series, Riddick.
It's got an obvious lower budget that it does utilize quite well. Everything has a dingy lo-fi feel with minimal usage of lighting and various filters to add a grungy visual flair.
As for Vin Diesel himself,this is probably his best character that he played. Riddick is his most compelling and complex character as for one,he's not truly evil,more of an anti hero but I find that there's more to him than that.
He's not just brooding for the sake of it,because it was cool at the time,it still is low key kinda cool for me but still that's not my point. He has an air of mystery to him as we know so little about his past,we know he's a killer that is extremely dangerous but he is also not a killer because he enjoys it,he has a moral compass.
Riddick is a more intriguing character than he what he lets on but it's the fact that his character is also much better than others because it feels like it was built for Vin Diesel;his body type and voice just have that kind of feel. Less is more with Riddick and that's the kind of actor Vin Diesel is,the kind that is not good for heavy dialogue or intelligence even, but simplicity is the key to creativity.
The effects are sometimes poorly aged sometimes actually surprising decently aged. The Bioraptors are still such well designed creatures.
I find that if Vin Diesel was less focused on the success of Hollywood action films,this could've been a much more interesting series for him to become known for,however it's unfortunate that he doesn't go back to it often,Riddick is the right amount of action,simplicity,creativity,style and unique storytelling to make it such a more memorable franchise.
It goes without saying,I recommend that if you either haven't seen it or weren't too high on it at first,give it another go,it's no Aliens or Starship Troopers but it does what it does exceptionally well.
I'm really excited for first watch of The Chronicles of Riddick & my Rewatch of Riddick.
#2/4: Pitch Black (2000)
(9/10):Seriously underrated sci-fi horror!
As his first major live action film,Vin Diesel fronts the first entry into the cult film series, Riddick.
It's got an obvious lower budget that it does utilize quite well. Everything has a dingy lo-fi feel with minimal usage of lighting and various filters to add a grungy visual flair.
As for Vin Diesel himself,this is probably his best character that he played. Riddick is his most compelling and complex character as for one,he's not truly evil,more of an anti hero but I find that there's more to him than that.
He's not just brooding for the sake of it,because it was cool at the time,it still is low key kinda cool for me but still that's not my point. He has an air of mystery to him as we know so little about his past,we know he's a killer that is extremely dangerous but he is also not a killer because he enjoys it,he has a moral compass.
Riddick is a more intriguing character than he what he lets on but it's the fact that his character is also much better than others because it feels like it was built for Vin Diesel;his body type and voice just have that kind of feel. Less is more with Riddick and that's the kind of actor Vin Diesel is,the kind that is not good for heavy dialogue or intelligence even, but simplicity is the key to creativity.
The effects are sometimes poorly aged sometimes actually surprising decently aged. The Bioraptors are still such well designed creatures.
I find that if Vin Diesel was less focused on the success of Hollywood action films,this could've been a much more interesting series for him to become known for,however it's unfortunate that he doesn't go back to it often,Riddick is the right amount of action,simplicity,creativity,style and unique storytelling to make it such a more memorable franchise.
It goes without saying,I recommend that if you either haven't seen it or weren't too high on it at first,give it another go,it's no Aliens or Starship Troopers but it does what it does exceptionally well.
I'm really excited for first watch of The Chronicles of Riddick & my Rewatch of Riddick.
A decent sci-fi B-movie
Leofwine_draca9 October 2016
Warning: Spoilers
Finally, after years of cheap and rubbish ALIENS rip-offs, comes one that is actually pretty darned good for a change. Despite being unreleased for about a year in this country, and with its fair share of plot holes and flaws, PITCH BLACK still manages to be one of the most impressive science fiction films in a long time. Although a pure B-movie at heart, PITCH BLACK impresses us with some wonderful photography, strong acting, and characterisations, and, for once, an imaginative script which throws in many inventive touches as it goes along.
It's action right from the start as the film opens with one of the most tense, prolonged, and realistic spaceship crashes in a long time. The special effects here are adequate, although strained by the budget. Once the survivors group together on the planet's surface and decide to explore, here the fun really begins. The suspense is racked up to breaking point, making this relatively quiet first half pretty damn tense, as the viewer is aware that the survivors are not alone, and it takes a long time (and a few deaths) for them to realise this. Due to the wealth of action and different situations, even with a relatively long running time this stuff never becomes boring.
Once the aliens show themselves (in a scene where the lead character is repeatedly put in danger but just manages to escape) the thrills and chills are heightened further. The plot twist of having an eclipse suddenly occur has already been stolen in the cheesy FROM DUSK TILL DAWN 2, but it's still a good one in any case. There's a taught NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD-inspired scene where the remaining survivors huddle inside the crashed ship as the aliens mass outside, trying to get in. The final third takes the form of an immense trip on foot through the desert to reach a working spaceship, and offers up most of the fun as our character's lighting begins to fail bit by bit, until they are left in "pitch black" by a string of unlucky accidents.
There are some many horrific scenes in this film that it's hard to pick the best, although I did especially like the moment (shown in the trailer) where a character lights a torch quickly to see himself surrounded by the aliens, before it going out again just as suddenly. The squelchy sound effects do the rest of the work for us. The desert landscape of Australia is put to good use, with the bleached photography achieving the same realistic sun-scorched effect as in THREE KINGS. Indeed, the photography (whether in the bright light or in the dark) is excellent throughout, and one of the film's strong points.
The acting, too, is pretty good, and the fact that the film lacks famous faces makes it all the better. Radha Mitchell - an ex-NEIGHBOURS actress, if you would believe it - makes for a tough, likable and resourceful heroine, and one of the best female roles in a sci-fi movie in a while. Keith David pops up in a role as an Arab, and is as good as ever. I'm happy to say that he actually survives in this film. Cole Hauser (son of Wings) creates a believable, three-dimensional bastard in Johns, the film's most hateable character. However, acting honours go to Vin Diesel, playing the imposing escaped convict. Despite having surgically-altered eyes so he can see in the dark, a shaved head and imposing bulk, Diesel still manages to make his killer a likable character with a hard edge, and succeeds as an action hero.
The CGI effect of the large aliens are generally pretty good, with the well-designed creatures being most menacing, especially when seen in a half light. One thing I didn't like were the tiny flying aliens which just look like a blob of CGI in close-up. There's a fair smattering of (computer generated) gore for horror fans, with heads and bodies being ripped apart in very brief shots. There are also some fun p.o.v. shots from the aliens' and Diesel's perspectives which are nice to look at. I'm pleased to say that director David Twohy (who also make the pretty good alien invasion flick, THE ARRIVAL) has succeeded again in making an enjoyable movie; one which is suspense, horrifying and exciting in equal measures, and should be seen at once by all genre fans as a breath of fresh air in today's cinema.
It's action right from the start as the film opens with one of the most tense, prolonged, and realistic spaceship crashes in a long time. The special effects here are adequate, although strained by the budget. Once the survivors group together on the planet's surface and decide to explore, here the fun really begins. The suspense is racked up to breaking point, making this relatively quiet first half pretty damn tense, as the viewer is aware that the survivors are not alone, and it takes a long time (and a few deaths) for them to realise this. Due to the wealth of action and different situations, even with a relatively long running time this stuff never becomes boring.
Once the aliens show themselves (in a scene where the lead character is repeatedly put in danger but just manages to escape) the thrills and chills are heightened further. The plot twist of having an eclipse suddenly occur has already been stolen in the cheesy FROM DUSK TILL DAWN 2, but it's still a good one in any case. There's a taught NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD-inspired scene where the remaining survivors huddle inside the crashed ship as the aliens mass outside, trying to get in. The final third takes the form of an immense trip on foot through the desert to reach a working spaceship, and offers up most of the fun as our character's lighting begins to fail bit by bit, until they are left in "pitch black" by a string of unlucky accidents.
There are some many horrific scenes in this film that it's hard to pick the best, although I did especially like the moment (shown in the trailer) where a character lights a torch quickly to see himself surrounded by the aliens, before it going out again just as suddenly. The squelchy sound effects do the rest of the work for us. The desert landscape of Australia is put to good use, with the bleached photography achieving the same realistic sun-scorched effect as in THREE KINGS. Indeed, the photography (whether in the bright light or in the dark) is excellent throughout, and one of the film's strong points.
The acting, too, is pretty good, and the fact that the film lacks famous faces makes it all the better. Radha Mitchell - an ex-NEIGHBOURS actress, if you would believe it - makes for a tough, likable and resourceful heroine, and one of the best female roles in a sci-fi movie in a while. Keith David pops up in a role as an Arab, and is as good as ever. I'm happy to say that he actually survives in this film. Cole Hauser (son of Wings) creates a believable, three-dimensional bastard in Johns, the film's most hateable character. However, acting honours go to Vin Diesel, playing the imposing escaped convict. Despite having surgically-altered eyes so he can see in the dark, a shaved head and imposing bulk, Diesel still manages to make his killer a likable character with a hard edge, and succeeds as an action hero.
The CGI effect of the large aliens are generally pretty good, with the well-designed creatures being most menacing, especially when seen in a half light. One thing I didn't like were the tiny flying aliens which just look like a blob of CGI in close-up. There's a fair smattering of (computer generated) gore for horror fans, with heads and bodies being ripped apart in very brief shots. There are also some fun p.o.v. shots from the aliens' and Diesel's perspectives which are nice to look at. I'm pleased to say that director David Twohy (who also make the pretty good alien invasion flick, THE ARRIVAL) has succeeded again in making an enjoyable movie; one which is suspense, horrifying and exciting in equal measures, and should be seen at once by all genre fans as a breath of fresh air in today's cinema.
In Darkness
sol-26 March 2017
When their spaceship crashes on an outskirts planet, fears mount in regards to an incarcerated convicted murderer who fled captivity in the crash, however, the crew and passengers soon find something far more terrifying on the planet itself in this action thriller with a sci-fi twist. Relatively simple as the premise may be, it is undeniably effective with the film's best moments coming from the crew and passengers scurrying about in fear of Vin Diesel's killer, accidentally shooting one another in the process. The tension is not quite the same once Diesel decides to unite with the group to overcome the vicious alien presence on the planet, but there is still plenty to ponder over as all concerned find it so hard to trust Diesel even in the face of a very real alien threat. As for the alien presence on the planet, it brings up a whole gigantic slate of unanswered, perplexing questions, particularly in relation to their allergy to sunlight. Then there is the amazing coincidence of the characters crash landing just before the planet is about to plunge into several days of complete darkness - but this is a pretty decent film when one focuses on trust/mistrust themes and the portrait of diverse individuals all banded together in the name of a common goal to survive. Diesel is very good too in the role that really kick-started his career; he has an awesome line towards the end about saying good night, and with his blacked-out contact lenses and designer goggles, his character leaves an indelible impression that lasts long after the movie has ended.
Interesting and entertaining with a good cast of mostly unknowns and great special effects.
trehling18 February 2000
The opening scene of this movie is pretty incredible. I've seen a number of sci-fi movies with great special effects but my roommate and I looked at each other after the opening sequence and he said plainly, "sensory overload." The plot of the movie is pretty simple but the nice thing about this sci-fi movie is that it lets the audience figure out most of the technology for themselves instead of wasting time to "subtly" explain it. The creatures in this movie are also very interesting. You don't get a really good look at them until about two thirds of the way through. Overall, a very entertaining movie.
Amazing, one of the best sci-fi films ever.
RaziaK17 November 2004
As a zombie fan, I really love these types of plots where people end up in strange places surrounded by wicked monsters! PB is also an excellent tie-in to Chronicles of Riddick (COR). The gang has to run as fast as they can away from darkness. There are so many metaphors in the story! Riddick is this bad guy, but he's also the hero who tries to save the slow-paced folks. The Muslim guy, Imam, relies on the sun's positions for the five times a day prayers, but he is stuck in a land where darkness will rule. Overall, I recommend this film to any sci-fi fans. You won't be disappointed.
How to survive in pitch black?
NightfallRaven10 May 2005
Pitch Black is a survival story. It's about how to survive in an hostile, alien world against even more hostile enemies. The task gets even more difficult when the nearest enemies can be found within your own surviving group.
The plot of Pitch Black is quite usual and has been seen several times before in different variations. But what makes this movie shine above others, is it's well-written characters.
The group consists of very different people with few more interesting than the others: Jack, a boy with a secret; Fry, a pilot having hard time with her own conscience; Johns, a bounty- hunter with a drug-habit; Imam, a holy man facing the fact that God is sometimes cruel and Riddick, a convict and a murderer learning to value others, not only himself. Characters start to live in the movie. They aren't only paper like in many other movies of this genre. You start to care for the characters, especially for Riddick though that feels quite odd. He is supposed to be the bad guy. In this movie, the line between light and pitch black is very thin. All characters are familiar with both.
Other thing that works in this movie is the casting. Rarely do actors fit to their roles this well. Radha Mitchell is suitable for Fry. Cole Hauser brings the right amount of cruelness and sense of responsibility for Johns. But the most impressive work is done by Vin Diesel. He does great job as Riddick. In his hands Riddick is quite creepy, definitely very dangerous and also deep character, just as he is supposed to be.
So, how do you survive in Pitch Black? Keep your friends close and enemies even closer.
The plot of Pitch Black is quite usual and has been seen several times before in different variations. But what makes this movie shine above others, is it's well-written characters.
The group consists of very different people with few more interesting than the others: Jack, a boy with a secret; Fry, a pilot having hard time with her own conscience; Johns, a bounty- hunter with a drug-habit; Imam, a holy man facing the fact that God is sometimes cruel and Riddick, a convict and a murderer learning to value others, not only himself. Characters start to live in the movie. They aren't only paper like in many other movies of this genre. You start to care for the characters, especially for Riddick though that feels quite odd. He is supposed to be the bad guy. In this movie, the line between light and pitch black is very thin. All characters are familiar with both.
Other thing that works in this movie is the casting. Rarely do actors fit to their roles this well. Radha Mitchell is suitable for Fry. Cole Hauser brings the right amount of cruelness and sense of responsibility for Johns. But the most impressive work is done by Vin Diesel. He does great job as Riddick. In his hands Riddick is quite creepy, definitely very dangerous and also deep character, just as he is supposed to be.
So, how do you survive in Pitch Black? Keep your friends close and enemies even closer.
Complex, detailed and immensely satisfying film
atalanta-36 June 2000
Warning: Spoilers
This is without doubt the most exciting and satisfying film I've seen in years! The plot seen in print is almost banal- a ship crashes on a desert planet with three suns, the survivors have to adjust to the landscape and each other, then darkness falls and the monsters appear. Pilot Fry, after a moment of cowardice during the descent through the atmosphere when she almost jettisoned the passengers, takes charge of the group and enlists the help of convicted murderer Riddick to lead them through the darkness to the escape ship - he's the one with surgically enhanced eyes that can see in the dark. But it's really not that simple - every character is complex, three-dimensional, with conflicting traits so you never quite know who's good and who's bad.
The performances are uniformly superb - Radha Mitchell shows Fry steeling herself for leadership, overcoming her own fears, and trying to prevent further bloodshed, while Cole Hauser, as the man taking Riddick back to custody, shows he has his own agenda and his own idiosyncratic standards. But the film belongs to Vin Diesel as Riddick - he has the most magnetic screen presence I've seen in years. For much of the film his face is in shadow, and he doesn't actually say a great deal, but he draws your attention all the same. Sometimes he draws your attention by not speaking - or by not moving. And Diesel doesn't trivialise the character, as could so easily be done, by giving him a "heart of gold" - Riddick is still one mean and vicious man as they approach the ship - he just lets us glimpse those first tentative steps from caring only for the self to caring for others.
Technically the film is very good. The lighting effects are excellent at both ends of the spectrum - the overbright triple sunlight and the pitch darkness. Special effects showing both Riddick's and the monsters' points of view add to the suspense, as do sound effects of the monsters flying and using ultrasound to "see" (the monsters themselves are anatomically plausible and suitably frightening). Editing is so tight it's almost jarring at times - there is literally no padding in this film, no fades, no time to re-orient yourself.
From the opening shot to the end of the credits you have to keep your wits about you. Every scene, every line of dialogue, every single camera shot is important. See it three times to understand it all.
My only caveat is about the science - the solar system as shown in the model is impossible (planets revolve around suns, not vice versa). However, that doesn't affect the human story, so I haven't taken points off for it.
The performances are uniformly superb - Radha Mitchell shows Fry steeling herself for leadership, overcoming her own fears, and trying to prevent further bloodshed, while Cole Hauser, as the man taking Riddick back to custody, shows he has his own agenda and his own idiosyncratic standards. But the film belongs to Vin Diesel as Riddick - he has the most magnetic screen presence I've seen in years. For much of the film his face is in shadow, and he doesn't actually say a great deal, but he draws your attention all the same. Sometimes he draws your attention by not speaking - or by not moving. And Diesel doesn't trivialise the character, as could so easily be done, by giving him a "heart of gold" - Riddick is still one mean and vicious man as they approach the ship - he just lets us glimpse those first tentative steps from caring only for the self to caring for others.
Technically the film is very good. The lighting effects are excellent at both ends of the spectrum - the overbright triple sunlight and the pitch darkness. Special effects showing both Riddick's and the monsters' points of view add to the suspense, as do sound effects of the monsters flying and using ultrasound to "see" (the monsters themselves are anatomically plausible and suitably frightening). Editing is so tight it's almost jarring at times - there is literally no padding in this film, no fades, no time to re-orient yourself.
From the opening shot to the end of the credits you have to keep your wits about you. Every scene, every line of dialogue, every single camera shot is important. See it three times to understand it all.
My only caveat is about the science - the solar system as shown in the model is impossible (planets revolve around suns, not vice versa). However, that doesn't affect the human story, so I haven't taken points off for it.
Forget the first half hour, then it's great!
PlanecrazyIkarus27 February 2002
This film gets off to a bad start. An incredibly corny monologue is followed immediately by a brilliantly-done, truly amazing spaceship crash. Then things go downhill again, as you realize that the survivors are all a) bad actors (apart from the docking pilot and the psychopath) and b) almost all of them fit too nicely into the role of monster-fodder. Hell, half of them don't even speak English, preventing the audience from getting to know the characters at all. You feel as if you were watching "Deep Blue Sea" meets "Silence of the Lambs", minus the good bits. And unfortunately, the entire thing tries to hard to be "Crashed on a desert planet with Hannibal Lecter" during the daylight scenes. Vin Diesel is a great actor - but he is no Anthony Hopkins, and he frankly annoys as the smart hyper-cool psycho. There is at least one very good scene involving an unexpected survivor - but apart from that you could just as well have cut out the first thirty minutes or so...
But then things take a turn. I can't exactly pinpoint the moment, but soon the movie gets a lot better. It also feels less chopped - the scenes actually begin to follow each other with a consistent narrative, and Vin Diesel becomes much less annoying and soon he is a show-stealer. By the time the first monsters appear, the film is actually quite enjoyable. By the time night falls, it is great. Thrilling, horrifying and exciting. And even the character development of most main characters is well-done. If you can just sit through the poor bits at the start you're in for some GREAT entertainment.
Besides, the visuals are eye-candy, and I honestly admit: I love the colour and the tone of this movie.
7/10 (could have been 9/10, if only....)
But then things take a turn. I can't exactly pinpoint the moment, but soon the movie gets a lot better. It also feels less chopped - the scenes actually begin to follow each other with a consistent narrative, and Vin Diesel becomes much less annoying and soon he is a show-stealer. By the time the first monsters appear, the film is actually quite enjoyable. By the time night falls, it is great. Thrilling, horrifying and exciting. And even the character development of most main characters is well-done. If you can just sit through the poor bits at the start you're in for some GREAT entertainment.
Besides, the visuals are eye-candy, and I honestly admit: I love the colour and the tone of this movie.
7/10 (could have been 9/10, if only....)
A Film For The Eyes, Not The Brain
Lechuguilla30 July 2005
In this sci-fi action flick, a spacecraft full of youthful, photogenic people crash lands on a desert world lorded over by hostile creatures that have an aversion to light. The script does a nice job of allowing the space travelers to change as the plot progresses, or rather for their true selves to emerge, as a result of the alien threat. But we never really get to know the characters in any depth, and I was indifferent to all of them.
Lack of depth is noticeable in this film. The premise lacks scientific credibility, and the screenplay has a couple of obvious plot holes. There is no cerebral message or subtext that I could discern; there is nothing to think about or ponder. The film is pure escapist entertainment, with an accent on high quality special effects. Visually, the film strikes me as a cross between "Alien" and "The Road Warrior".
"Pitch Black" will appeal to viewers who like fast action sci-fi films that emphasize visuals, not dialogue. The film also will appeal to people who have no need to infer, contemplate, question, analyze, or read between the lines. What you see is what you get.
Lack of depth is noticeable in this film. The premise lacks scientific credibility, and the screenplay has a couple of obvious plot holes. There is no cerebral message or subtext that I could discern; there is nothing to think about or ponder. The film is pure escapist entertainment, with an accent on high quality special effects. Visually, the film strikes me as a cross between "Alien" and "The Road Warrior".
"Pitch Black" will appeal to viewers who like fast action sci-fi films that emphasize visuals, not dialogue. The film also will appeal to people who have no need to infer, contemplate, question, analyze, or read between the lines. What you see is what you get.
Pitch Black Shines Bright!
TharsheyN22 November 2022
Pitch Black is the first movie in the Chronicles Of Riddick movie series. It's made in the year 2000 and I am only watching and reviewing it 22 years later, but by god does it hold up well. In fact it's a lot better then half the trash Hollywood is releasing nowadays.
Pitch Black has a very simple storyline, there is nothing unique to it and odds are you've probably seen a similar story in another movie. However the story which is basically: 1) group of people crash onto hostile planet, 2) have to work together to escape, and 3) Are unable to trust everyone in their group, works really well for Pitch Black. What makes such a simple storyline work so well is the characters along with the actors and actresses picked to portray them on screen.
Vin Diesel, Radha Mitchell, Keith David, Rhiana Griffith and Cole Hauser really stand out. Cole Hauser plays the Bounty Hunter William Johns, who we at first pin the hopes for the survivors on until we slowly grow to dislike and hate him throughout the movie. As Riddick tells his father in the 2013 Riddick film, William Johns really has no spine. Rhiana Griffith plays a girl who goes by the name Jack and pretends to be a boy until Riddick eventually outs her. She does a really good job at playing Jack and I was as surprised as the rest of the characters when Riddick announced that Jack was in fact a girl and not a guy. Keith Davids plays the holy man Abu Al-Walid and is just an all round interesting character, with his perception of god and amazing portrayal of his character. Radha Mitchell is absolutely stunning in the film as a bad ass, strong pilot who takes over the role of captain and tries to ensure the survival of everyone. Vin Diesel plays Riddick and he absolutely nails the character from the way Riddick moves and speaks to the way he fights, just a brilliant job by Vin Diesel.
The movie also makes use of different colours and shades to portray the day and night times. It's not the usual shades used in every movie but it works well and masterfully portrays the fact that the planet has 3 suns on it. That combined with good CGI and special effects for the monsters gives you a very enjoyable film indeed.
All in all Pitch Black is a really good movie, it has a simple storyline, well developed characters and good CGI, SFX and VFX. Together it all comes together to create a lovely first movie in the Riddick movie series. A well deserved 8/10 from me.
Pitch Black has a very simple storyline, there is nothing unique to it and odds are you've probably seen a similar story in another movie. However the story which is basically: 1) group of people crash onto hostile planet, 2) have to work together to escape, and 3) Are unable to trust everyone in their group, works really well for Pitch Black. What makes such a simple storyline work so well is the characters along with the actors and actresses picked to portray them on screen.
Vin Diesel, Radha Mitchell, Keith David, Rhiana Griffith and Cole Hauser really stand out. Cole Hauser plays the Bounty Hunter William Johns, who we at first pin the hopes for the survivors on until we slowly grow to dislike and hate him throughout the movie. As Riddick tells his father in the 2013 Riddick film, William Johns really has no spine. Rhiana Griffith plays a girl who goes by the name Jack and pretends to be a boy until Riddick eventually outs her. She does a really good job at playing Jack and I was as surprised as the rest of the characters when Riddick announced that Jack was in fact a girl and not a guy. Keith Davids plays the holy man Abu Al-Walid and is just an all round interesting character, with his perception of god and amazing portrayal of his character. Radha Mitchell is absolutely stunning in the film as a bad ass, strong pilot who takes over the role of captain and tries to ensure the survival of everyone. Vin Diesel plays Riddick and he absolutely nails the character from the way Riddick moves and speaks to the way he fights, just a brilliant job by Vin Diesel.
The movie also makes use of different colours and shades to portray the day and night times. It's not the usual shades used in every movie but it works well and masterfully portrays the fact that the planet has 3 suns on it. That combined with good CGI and special effects for the monsters gives you a very enjoyable film indeed.
All in all Pitch Black is a really good movie, it has a simple storyline, well developed characters and good CGI, SFX and VFX. Together it all comes together to create a lovely first movie in the Riddick movie series. A well deserved 8/10 from me.
The next Alien...
HAZEL-520 February 2000
From the first 10 seconds of Pitch Black I was hooked. I had walked into this movie thinking that it would be just another cheesy sci-fi movie. Instead I found a highly entertaining, on the edge of your seat, thought provoking action film. The movie goes beyond your basic special effects flick. The actors are amazing, Radah Mitchell (High Art, Love and other..) as Fry is truly a joy to watch on screen, while Vin Diesel as Riddeck is so captivating that you are dying just to hear him speak again.
The look of the movie is breath taking, the contrast of blues, yellows and oranges due to the three different suns is amazing. Followed by the complete darkness of nightfall. I would truly recommend any lover of the ALIEN movies or Radha Mitchell (which is why I went to see it) to check out this film. I'm sure by the end you'll look at the dark in a whole new way.
The look of the movie is breath taking, the contrast of blues, yellows and oranges due to the three different suns is amazing. Followed by the complete darkness of nightfall. I would truly recommend any lover of the ALIEN movies or Radha Mitchell (which is why I went to see it) to check out this film. I'm sure by the end you'll look at the dark in a whole new way.
Enjoyable but visually a mixed bag and lacking in originality
bob the moo30 September 2003
When something goes wrong in a deep space crossing, a passenger ship crashes on a desolate planet losing most of it's load along the way. Once on the surface they discover signs of past human life and soon discover that the planet is populated by dangerous creatures. They discover that the creatures come out at night to feed just as a solar eclipse begins. The crew's only hope of survival is one of the passengers a dangerous murderer with the ability to see in the dark.
This film has the reputation as being Vin Diesel's breakthrough movie and I therefore expected it to be pretty good. The plot is quite clever if you say the whole `seeing in the dark' thing, but really this is more of a plot device than a plot the actual plot will not surprise anyone who's seen any alien movies before. The cast are eaten one by one you don't have to look at your watch to see if the film is nearly over, just count the number of characters left onscreen! There are some exciting moments in the second half and the film manages to be enjoyable without being that good.
I understood that Riddick can see in the dark, but didn't get why (at the start) he was walking round in daylight and the characters seemed unable to see him. His being able to see in the dark is also a bit of a leap and all smacks of lazy writing if you ask me it would have been better to not have this twist rather than making it feel like it was forced. The actual aliens themselves are not well designed when half seen they are fast and exciting, however seen in more detail they are quite basic or, as my friend said, look like Big Bird's cousin.
The film is really over-edited which in one way works but in others doesn't. The thing I liked was the use of washed out film stocks to show different times of day and to give a different feel to every part of the film. However the constant jump cuts etc just got annoying and suggested a director who lacks confidence and has to resort to visual excess to compensate for his lack of faith in the film to carry itself.
The cast are all pretty awful if you ask me. Diesel does have a good screen presence, even if he is lacking in charisma (in my opinion). He is just like a young muscle man actor but does quite well here I suppose. At least, he does in comparison to the support cast who are all clichés who await their death scenes with impatient hamming and cardboard delivery.
Overall this is an average film as it lacks any new ideas (other than the central one) and feels like a retread of other films. Visually bits of it are impressive but then other bits just are over the top, edited to within an inch of it's life for no benefit. I enjoyed it but really failed to see what all the fuss had been about in the first place.
This film has the reputation as being Vin Diesel's breakthrough movie and I therefore expected it to be pretty good. The plot is quite clever if you say the whole `seeing in the dark' thing, but really this is more of a plot device than a plot the actual plot will not surprise anyone who's seen any alien movies before. The cast are eaten one by one you don't have to look at your watch to see if the film is nearly over, just count the number of characters left onscreen! There are some exciting moments in the second half and the film manages to be enjoyable without being that good.
I understood that Riddick can see in the dark, but didn't get why (at the start) he was walking round in daylight and the characters seemed unable to see him. His being able to see in the dark is also a bit of a leap and all smacks of lazy writing if you ask me it would have been better to not have this twist rather than making it feel like it was forced. The actual aliens themselves are not well designed when half seen they are fast and exciting, however seen in more detail they are quite basic or, as my friend said, look like Big Bird's cousin.
The film is really over-edited which in one way works but in others doesn't. The thing I liked was the use of washed out film stocks to show different times of day and to give a different feel to every part of the film. However the constant jump cuts etc just got annoying and suggested a director who lacks confidence and has to resort to visual excess to compensate for his lack of faith in the film to carry itself.
The cast are all pretty awful if you ask me. Diesel does have a good screen presence, even if he is lacking in charisma (in my opinion). He is just like a young muscle man actor but does quite well here I suppose. At least, he does in comparison to the support cast who are all clichés who await their death scenes with impatient hamming and cardboard delivery.
Overall this is an average film as it lacks any new ideas (other than the central one) and feels like a retread of other films. Visually bits of it are impressive but then other bits just are over the top, edited to within an inch of it's life for no benefit. I enjoyed it but really failed to see what all the fuss had been about in the first place.
Best sci-fi movie ever!
stephie-1222 February 2004
This movie is about the crew of a spaceship who crash land onto a strange bright planet with three suns. Among the passengers is convicted serial killer, Richard Riddick (Vin Diesel), and his nemesis, Johns (Cole Hauser). While the survivors of the wreck are getting their bearings, an eclipse of all three suns happens. Shortly afterwards, scary creatures begin to appear and start to pick off the crew members one by one. During the eclipse, Riddick comes into his own, as his eyeballs have been surgically shined, giving him night vision. The crew have to rely on him to try to get them to safety.
This is a very stylish film, with the colour of the sky changing scene by scene, giving it a very strange look. Vin Diesel is brilliant as Riddick, truly menacing but forced to help people who otherwise would only see him as a threat. There is also an underlying humour in his performance as well, which adds another dimension to the character. This is the sort of role that Vin excels in, the anti-hero, whos character is not as one-dimensional as first appears. I can imagine no-one else in this role, it could have been written specifically for him.
Roll on Chronicles of Riddick!
This is a very stylish film, with the colour of the sky changing scene by scene, giving it a very strange look. Vin Diesel is brilliant as Riddick, truly menacing but forced to help people who otherwise would only see him as a threat. There is also an underlying humour in his performance as well, which adds another dimension to the character. This is the sort of role that Vin excels in, the anti-hero, whos character is not as one-dimensional as first appears. I can imagine no-one else in this role, it could have been written specifically for him.
Roll on Chronicles of Riddick!
Impressive creature feature
charchuk14 March 2007
A nice twist on the Alien formula, with a surprisingly good script and a great performance by Vin Diesel. Riddick is one of the most likable anti-heroes in recent memory, and in this film he's given equal doses of hero and villain. The exposition is nearly perfect, introducing all the characters very well and setting up the story adequately. It moves a little too fast after that, though, bypassing a lot of the story in favour of quick kills. Still, the visuals are solid and the direction is quite innovative - I liked the high contrast showing how bright it was on the planet. Diesel carries the movie, but Radha Mitchell is pretty solid opposite him. Some pretty nice gore scenes too. Just a pretty good creature feature.
It's Actually Pretty Stinking Good!!!
Maxax77716 March 2022
The film sci-fi/action flick that introduced the world to Vin Diesel
a_chinn16 August 2021
Very suspenseful sci-fi action film is essentially "Assault on Precinct 13" in space, but while the story lacks originality, I'd consider it the most suspenseful sci-fi film film since "Alien" or "Aliens." From writer/director David Twohy (writer of "The Fugitive" and writer/director of "The Arrival" and the underrated WWII submarine ghost story "Below), the story involves a transport ships crash landing on a seemingly deserted planet. When they discover the planet has deadly creatures who only come out at night and that a month long eclipse is about to happen, our heroes are in for a lot of trouble. The heroes include a scrappy female pilot, the excellent Radha Mitchell, a bounty hunter, Cole Hauser, who is transporting an infamous killer, Richard B. Riddick, played by Vin Diesel in his star-making role. Diesel steals every scene and he deservedly became a star following this film's release, landing roles in "Fast and the Furious" and "xXx." Twohy's script has a number of unexpected twists I don't want to spoil, but the film has a bit of an Agatha Christie "And Then There Were None" vibe with a rogues gallery of characters that is a lot of fun. The most interesting of of the supporting characters is Keith David ("They Live" "The Thing" "Platoon") as a holy man. My main complaint about the film is the amount of time it takes to get to the dark (almost 60 minutes). I also didn't care for the harsh photography during the sunlit scenes, which were done to contrast to the later dark scenes, but I didn't care for the bleached blown-out look. However, those are fairly minor quibbles for what is otherwise a smart, suspenseful film that boasts a dynamite performance form Vin Diesel. A must see for sci-fi fans!
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