[A] derivative, plot-hole ridden sci-fi flick, redeemed only by the blazing star-in-the-making quality of Vin Diesel.
Pitch Black (2000)
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted:101
Fresh:56
Rotten:45
Average Rating:5.6/10
Consensus: This sci-fi flick fails to deliver enough spills and chills.
Runtime: 1 hr 52 mins
Genre: Science-Fiction/Fantasy
Synopsis: A spacecraft carrying an assortment of passengers including Riddick (Vin Diesel), a dangerous, shackled murderer between prisons, is forced to make a crash landing on a barren, triple-sunned planet... A spacecraft carrying an assortment of passengers including Riddick (Vin Diesel), a dangerous, shackled murderer between prisons, is forced to make a crash landing on a barren, triple-sunned planet after the craft suffers severe damage during a meteor shower. The ship is ripped into pieces, killing several crew members and leaving meek officer Fry (Radha Mitchell) in charge of the survivors. After two unfortunate deaths, the survivors discover that the only visible life form on the planet is a species of light-fearing, carnivorous, occasionally cannibalistic aliens dwelling in caverns beneath the desert surface. Using a model of the planet and its suns in an abandoned research station, Fry deduces that she and her fellow travellers have unfortunately descended on the planet on the day of its first total eclipse in 22 years, giving them mere hours before they are bathed in total darkness. Only then is it safe for the hungry subterranean creatures to emerge, seeking to feed on the remaining survivors. However, the dangerous Riddick, through black market injections received in lock-up, is able to see in darkness- causing the surviving crew members to reluctantly remain dependent on the potentially harmful criminal. As the survivors are killed one by one by the hungry creatures, they realize that Riddick may be their only hope. [More]
Starring: Vin Diesel, Radha Mitchell, Cole Hauser, Keith David
Starring: Vin Diesel, Radha Mitchell, Cole Hauser, Keith David, Lewis Fitz-Gerald, John Moore, Claudia Black, Simon Burke
Director: David Twohy
Director: David Twohy
Screenwriter: Ken Wheat, Jim Wheat, David Twohy
Producer: Tom Engelman
Composer: Graeme Revell
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Release:
Mar 31, 2009
Blu-ray Disc Features:
- Region [unknown]
Audio:
- DTS 5.1 Surround French, Spanish
- DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 English
- Subtitles: English, SDH, French, Spanish
Additional Release Material:
- Audio Commentary: Director David Twohy, Producer Tom Engelman and Visual Effects Supervisor Peter Chiag
Featurette:
- 1. An Introduction by David Twohy
- 2. The Game Is On
- 3. The Johns Chase Log
- 4. The Making of Pitch Black
- 5. Dark Fury: Advancing the Arc
- 6. The Chronicles of Riddick Visual Encyclopedia
- 7. A View into the Dark
- 8. Feature Commentary with Vin Diesel, Cole Hauser and Director David Twohy
Interactive Features:
- BD Live: Download Center - My Scenes Sharing
- U Control: Picture in Picture
- U Control: Pitch Black Raw
- U Control: Tutorial
Reviews for Pitch Black
Against all odds, Pitch Black hit me in the right places, and I believe that those who are lucky enough to give it a chance won't forget it either for at least one reason...VIN DIESEL.
[It] may be another Alien rip-off, but it's a rip-off with class, style and a lot of heart.
It may not be original, but it is smart. More importantly, it's scary.
The alien and space-flight FX are impressive, and Diesel and fly girl Radha Mitchell are likable, but the cheap cinematography and a story line that's been pitched too many times already signal a career in eclipse.
The script is a compendium of science-fiction clichés, familiar in Hollywood movies since the early fifties.
With a witty script and a cool sense of building dread, Pitch Black is a surprisingly entertaining sci-fi thriller.
Pitch Black is relentless in its integrity; it's lean and mean and it doesn't waste time.
Despite the scientific and logical lapses, it is a pretty good adventure yarn with some interesting twists and turns.
Although this script never met a cliché that didn't fit like a glove, there are potent moments to send your popcorn flying.
Director and co-writer David Twohy has stolen from so many other movies in order to cobble together the paltry Pitch Black.
Sadly, Pitch Black was directed by the man who made the best science fiction movie of 1996, The Arrival.
Latest News for Pitch Black
August 03, 2009:
David Twohy Talks Riddick Sequels ![]()
They're still at the idea stage, but David Twohy and Vin Diesel are committed to continuing "The Chronicles of Riddick" -- and in a new interview with Shock Till You Drop, Twohy... More...
March 10, 2009:
Vin Diesel Talks Next Riddick Game, Sequel ![]()
Vin Diesel is out promoting his next "Chronicles of Riddick" videogame, "Assault on Dark Athena," so now seems like a pretty ideal time for a chat with GameSpot about the future... More...
August 26, 2008:
Diesel Promises a Double Shot of Riddick ![]()
His latest movie, "Babylon A.D.," might be running at a woeful 0 percent on the Tomatometer, but Vin Diesel has bigger fish to fry; according to a recent interview with MTV, the... More...
November 20, 2007:
A Third Installment for The Chronicles of Riddick?
Despite the underwhelming reviews and receipts that greeted 2004's Pitch Black sequel, The Chronicles of Riddick, writer/director David Twohy still hopes to film a third... More...
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