Rating of
3/4
PITCH BLACK - ALIEN MEETS FLIGHT OF THE PHOENIX?
Indyfreak - wrote on 02/29/20
The role that launched Vin Diesel into stardom, this science fiction thriller pits the interstellar outlaw Riddick and other spacefarers crash-land on a barren planet. They learn to their horror that the planet undergoes an eclipse that draws out deadly carnivorous aliens that hate sunlight. The survivors of the crash must rely on Riddick since he can see in the dark.
Not surprisingly, Vin Diesel is very good as the sardonic antihero Riddick. Half the supporting cast are just here to be eaten. But others like Radha Mitchell and Cole Houser and the ever reliable Keith David do fine.
What separates this film from other science fiction horror films is the moral ambiguity of its characters.After two sequels, some video games, and comics, Riddick is at his most compelling and dangerous here. Some of the cgi is a little dated but the creature design is interesting and the setting remains eerie.
