Pitch Black | | Cast : | Vin Diesel, Radha Mitchell, Cole Hauser | | Director : | David Twohy | | Studio : | Universal Studios Ho | | Format : | Color, Closed-captioned, Widescreen, Dolby | | Released Date : | February 18, 2000 | | DVD Released Date : | June 01, 2004 | | Language : | English (Dubbed), French (Dubbed), French (Subtitled), Spanish (Subtitled), Spanish (Dubbed), English (Original Language) | | Audience Rating : | Unrated | | | BUY THIS DVD FROM AMAZON |
Customer Reviews
| Rating |  | | Date | August 01, 2005 | | Summary | One of the Great Classics of Science Fiction | Content
 | This is truly a masterpiece of Science Fiction and an interesting study in human nature with profound messages similar to those in films such as Fahrenheit 451, The Day the Earth Stood Still, Metropolis, Logan's Run, and Blade Runner.
The internal struggles of the characters (spirituality, self-sacrifice, temptation, suspicions, addiction, guilt, mastery of fear, human kindness, self-interest, resourcefulness, etc.) add a tremendous amount of depth to the story. The guilt of the captain over her early impulsive actions and the penance she ultimately pays for her mistake are deeply touching and almost made me cry. The stark landscape setting really allows us to focus on the characters - their personalities, motives, relationships, actions, etc. The emulation of Jack for Riddick is beautifully done, very quickly and easily charming us to both characters.
The story is very well written, with the acting equally well done, showcasing the relationships between the characters. The Riddick/Johns relationship is interesting, particularly their respect for one another: Some kind of "code of ethics" between bounty hunters and the convicts they pursue? Also of note is the hero worship of Jack for Riddick, and the hero's subsequent defense/protection of her several times, in various ways, against multiple threats. Additionally, the interplay between the captain and Johns (his manipulation of her, and her judgment mixed with empathy of him) really adds dimension to these characters and the overall story.
This is one of the few films I have seen that seems absolutely perfectly cast, particularly Jack who is difficult to distinguish between boy and tomboy - she is very believable. The creatures/monsters are extremely well done, both their appearances and movements. I think this is a much better story than the Alien and Predator movies, though I enjoy those as well.
The humor in this story is exquisite; the "looks clear" scene is one of my favorite bits of this movie. Given the intensity behind Mr. Diesel's acting, it is amazing that he is capable of adding this type of "lightness" to his work. And the tension present throughout the film is tremendous. We are literally "on pins and needles" as we watch the action from our observer position and instantly recognize the mistakes of the characters (delay, poor choices, etc.) leading toward their doom with no way to warn them or urge them to hurry.
I don't understand the term "cult" applied to this film because that seems to imply a select viewership; and I believe this movie has the power to please a variety of peoples, though especially fans of Science Fiction and human-interest stories.
I call this one of my "treadmill movies" (to watch while exercising) because the miles pass in a non-painful flash. A special thanks to the many people involved in making this movie for the wonderful quality of distraction and thoroughly engrossing entertainment.
I am unable to choose a favorite between Pitch Black and The Chronicles of Riddick. I am pleased they are remarkably different from one another. I believe they are both equally significant in their contribution to great classics of Science Fiction.
J.H. Sweet, author of The Fairy Chronicles |
| Rating | | | Date | July 20, 2005 | | Summary | A Pretty good Movie | Content
| I had recently seen the Chronicles of Riddick movie, the sequal to this, and was interested in seeing this. It was a pretty good story, lots of suspense, and action. Though, I think they could've done without the constant use bad language (particularly f--k, f---ing, etc.) It would've been a perfectly fine show without all that in it.
Overall, it's pretty good, and I might recommend it. |
| Rating | | | Date | July 17, 2005 | | Summary | Two Great Movies | Content
| At some point, most fantasy movies tend to go overboard with their stories - you're going along with a great story, able to suspend your disbelief, and then they throw in some of what I like to call, "woo-woo," and ruin an otherwise excellent film. Pitch Black, to me, is a perfect, great movie, and I also completely admired The Chronicles of Riddick. They are quintessential action-fantasy movies for the thinking person who likes a little butt-kicking in their movies. However, the Director's Cut of Chronicles of Riddick has some woo-woo and it does not at all improve the story. When the woman who is the woo-woo consciousness of the murdered babies of Fuyria (sp?) puts her hand on Riddick and causes him to blow up a group of attacking Necromongers, it is silly. When the Purifier rips open his shirt to show a glowing blue woo-woo handprint to compare it the handprint on Riddick's chest, it adds an unexpected, uninteresting, and possibly unintended homoerotic note to the film. I didn't check to see whether this Director's Cut Chronicles of Riddick DVD also contains the theatre version, but I hope it does. Otherwise, I'll be compelled to buy the theatre version instead. |
| Rating | | | Date | June 19, 2005 | | Summary | Won't keep you riveted, but worth watching | Content
| A transport ship crash lands on a dead planet with 3 suns. Among the survivors is an escaped murderer who was being taken back to prison. They discover an abandoned camp which includes a ship they hope to use to get off the planet. They also discover the planet is inhabited by nasty meat-eating creatures that live in darkness. Figuring they will be ok as there is no night on a planet with 3 suns, they are dealt another blow when a model in the abandoned camp indicates an eclipse is coming. When it starts, the planet it plunged into darkness for a long time and the millions of creatures come above ground. The movie becomes a story of survival as they use any source of light they can find to fend off the creatures to get to the ship and leave the planet.
I like the concept of this movie and it does a pretty good job of telling the story although it becomes predictable once the creatures emerge and the survivors have to depend on sociopath Riddick to lead them to safety. Once the creatures are brought into full view they're not that interesting and their is no real suspense. Except for one character, you pretty much knew who was going to live and who was going to die. Overall a worthwhile action/scifi/horror movie. |
| Rating | | | Date | June 05, 2005 | | Summary | Not Much Clarification | Content
| This was the second Riddick movie I've seen. I watched it in the hope that the sequel I saw first would make more sense. No such luck. This one does, however, make more sense by itself.
The premise is of a crash landing on a forbidding planet. One of those to survive is an escaped convict with a bounty. The trouble is that the local wildlife is not very friendly and seems to take a positive delight in turning survivors into casualties. They appear to be large creatures, somewhat reminiscent of bats, vampire tendencies and an aversion to light and human beings. That is where Riddick comes in handy since he is decidedly unhealthy to the "bats".
The story was fairly predictable but done well enough. I did not think it was great but it apparently appeals to some. Don't expect it to be a great setup for the sequel, though.
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