Owing a major debt to Alien and its cinematic spawn, Pitch Black is a guilty pleasure that surpasses expectations. As he did with The Arrival, director David Twohy revitalizes a derivative story, allowing you to forgive its flaws and submit to its visceral thrills. Under casual scrutiny, the plot's logic crumbles like a stale cookie, but it's definitely fun while it lasts.

A spaceship crashes on a desert planet scorched under three suns. The mostly doomed survivors include a resourceful captain (Radha Mitchell), a drug-addled cop (Cole Hauser), and a deadly prisoner (Vin Diesel) who quickly escapes. These clashing personalities discover that the planet is plunging into the darkness of an extended eclipse, and it's populated by hordes of ravenous, razor-fanged beasties that only come out at night. The body count rises, and Pitch Black settles into familiar sci-fi territory.

Finally a sci-fi action movie that doesn't seem derivative

A lot of films that are monster based("creature features" as I call them), there's a certain noticeable borrowing feeling throughout the film, as if filmmakers got lazy and said "hm...Alien but underground!" which is why we got crap like the Cave. Now and then we do have an enjoyable romp such as Starship Troopers but for the most part they're kind of lame, underwritten, boring or all 3. Nobody's gonna call Pitch Black art but at least it's very entertaining, even if the premise seems done before("Aliens during the nighttime!").

A transport ship crash lands on a planet which has 3 suns in orbit nearby. It's not the most comfortable planet since it's so hot but that's the least of their problems. Among the survivors is an escaped convict, Riddick, and in the shadows of caves lurks a large enemy with a huge case of the munchies, namely humans. So really the film is about getting off the planet before being lunch...or is it supper?

Oddly enough, one of the film's selling points was its hero, or rather, its anti-hero Riddick. Caring only for himself and would step over best friends and probably family to stay alive, he's the definition of a criminal you don't want to cross paths with(well, isn't all of them like that?). Played by Vin Diesel, he's certainly a memorable villain that's actually likable which is quite something. The rest of the cast is good but 2 standouts with Keith David as a Muslim and Radha Mitchell as Fry(she's otherwise known as the Silent Hill girl or Ally Sheedy's makeout partner in one film).

The special effects at times look slightly obvious but all in all they're well done, including "Riddick vision" and the "Monster vision": 2 distinct styles of seeing, one being very luminescent night-vision esque while the other is extremely odd looking. The pacing is perfect with a slow opening that slowly builds tension without just action action the entire way through. The transfer is kind of disappointing as the first half where we see the planet being lit by 3 suns looks clear and crisp while the darkness scenes look really grainy at times.

Originally, Pitch Black was going to be the sequel to a trilogy, which got its start with the underperforming Chronicles of Riddick. This prequel of sorts is what it should've been: a good time with a memorable villain and interesting visuals.

THE CHRONICLES OF RIDDICK - PITCH BLACK

THIS ITEM GOT HERE DAYS BEFOR THEY SAID AND IN GOOD SHAPE

A blast to watch!

I don't really like sci-fi movies but this is the one exception. Any movie with people stranded on a planet relying on an escaped convict to save them to me sounds like one of the coolest plots ever. The role of Richard Riddick was tailor made for Vin Diesel. He kicks ass, takes names, and shows everyone who's boss. The other standout performance in this movie was Cole Hauser as Johns. Even though he was a jerk, he was great at tricking the other people into thinking he was a good guy. But I wouldn't even have considered this movie if Vin Diesel wasn't in it. He carries the film from start to finish. With awesome action, great special effects, and a menacing hero, this is a film you don't want to pass up. A Diesel-powered film for all fans!