Pitch Black (2000)
TOMATOMETER
AUDIENCE SCORE
Critic Consensus: Despite an interesting premise (and a starmaking turn from Vin Diesel), Pitch Black is too derivative and formulaic to fully recommend to sci-fi or action fans.
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Cast
as Riddick
as Fry
as Johns
as Imam
as Shazza
as Paris
as Jack
as Zeke Ezekiel
as Suleiman
as Hassan
as Ali
as Capt. Tom Mitchell
as Total Stranger
as Dead Crew Member
as Greg Owens
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Critic Reviews for Pitch Black
All Critics (109) | Top Critics (29) | Fresh (64) | Rotten (45) | DVD (14)
Pitch Black falters a bit in its last half-hour-the film's darkest moment reduces Diesel to delivering a pithy one-liner-but for the most part, it's terrific.
A smart, suspenseful sci-fi movie from director Twohy, whose underrated 1996 film, The Arrival, also brought visual imagination and intelligence to the genre.
The script is a compendium of science-fiction clichés, familiar in Hollywood movies since the early fifties.
[David Twohy] tweaks this formulaic escape-from-hell story with just enough original touches to give it a lift.
It's not an especially challenging part, but Diesel handles it with aplomb.
Pitch Black is the movie of the season for sci-fi and horror fans!
Audience Reviews for Pitch Black
David Twohy's mixture of horror and science fiction works wonders in Pitch Black.
A 100 minute story on a barren wasteland of a planet actually turns out quite well for this picture. While not exactly an adrenaline rush, the consistent level of intrigue is enough as this film goes from day to night in a blink of an eye.
The CG is a mixed bag, but ultimately acceptable when all is said and done. The level of violence and blood is somewhat conservative, but enough for an R rating.
The cast of characters is what makes this story go. Riddick is a solid character backed by an excellent casting choice in Vin Diesel. Radha Mitchell and Cole Hauser share the screen well with Mr. Diesel.
Pitch Black does succeed with what it sets out to do, and while it isn't perfect, it is a recommendable watch. "You're not afraid of the dark are you?"
Super Reviewer
Average action film starring Vin Diesel, that being said, I didn't expect much from Pitch Black, but I was pleasantly surprised. Although lacking in effective storytelling, this film boasts enough action to keep you interested from start to finish. The film is good for what it tries to accomplish, but if you're looking for a well structured film with a great story, you'll sadly be disappointed. The plot is decent at best, but it never is anything memorable. The film succeeds at being an action extravaganza and it is a fun and entertaining one at that. Diesel is good in the role, but I'll be honest, he's just not a good actor, but here he's more suited for these types of roles and he manages to have a good on-screen presence here. Pitch Black has its flaws, but is worth seeing if you enjoy mindless action Sci Fi films. The other performances are good, but not great, and the film relies on array of effects to really set the tone of the film. Pitch Black is good, mindless entertainment; however it could have been much better. With a few script rewrites, this film really could have stood, and be a memorable action film. In the end, it falls short of its potential, and never realizes what it should have been. This picture could really have a highly memorable movie, but due to a lacking script, a cast of average actors, it's a movie leaves a lot to be desired. In other words, Pitch Black is a film from a specific audience. I love action films, but I feel that despite its premise, it should have been a much better movie than what we got. As it is, it's mindless popcorn entertainment. Nonetheless despite its imperfections, I liked the film, and I didn't expect to really enjoy it. Vin Diesel fans will surely enjoy this movie, and the action is good despite everything else.
Super Reviewer
An exhilarating and heart-pounding edge of your seat thriller that's packed with big scares and pulse-racing tension. A tremendously entertaining and fiercely original sci-fi film. Vin Diesel gives a sensational performance, playing an engaging and brilliant character
Super Reviewer
Pitch Black Quotes
| Johns: | Zeke! Fully loaded clip, safety's on, one shot if you spot him. |
| Zeke: | Don't tell me you're going off too. |
| Paris: | What happens if Mr. Riddick spots us first? |
| Johns: | There'll be no shots. |
| Richard B. Riddick: | You're not afraid of the dark, are you? |
| Johns: | Hey, I thought I said no shivs! |
| Richard B. Riddick: | You mean this? This is just a personal grooming appliance |
| Richard B. Riddick: | You mean this? This is just a personal grooming appliance. |
| Richard B. Riddick: | You got it all wrong, holy man. I do believe in God, and I personally hate the fucker. |