Pitch Black (2000)

Director: David Twohy

Starring: Vin Diesel, Radha Mitchell, Cole Hauser

A commercial transport ship and its crew are marooned on a planet full of bloodthirsty creatures that only come out to feast at night. But then, they learn that a month-long eclipse is about to occur.

‘Pitch Black’ is the perfect alien adventure horror film. I love the combination of action, adventure, drama and horror. Above all, this is a film about survival.

The film’s opening sequence is marred by extremely shaky camerawork – so much so that one (almost) misses some of the action. Fortunately they abandon the shaky camerawork after the opening sequence. Oh, and don’t adjust your TV: some scenes were shot in monochromatic colours, especially blue. This is to accentuate the alien planet.

Vin Diesel stars as Riddick, who has unusual eyes (thanks to surgery) which makes him see in the dark. This is relevant especially since much of the film takes place in the dark. As it turns out, the planet is infested with creatures that prey at night on anything living. As it is important for us to see in the dark, much of the film is viewed through Riddick’s eyes, and it’s effective. It elevates the suspense since the other characters can’t always see the danger, and Riddick only replies with a dry “you don’t want to see” remark. The mystery surrounding Riddick makes the viewer wonder whether he is actually good or bad.

The antagonists here, however, are undoubtedly the creatures, despite William (Cole Hauser) also having ulterior motives for his actions. I liked the way they gave us a sense of what was to come by showing the creatures via glimpses in the background, without blaring scare music.

The horror and survival element intensifies as the film progresses, and its good fun! ‘Pitch Black’ is a thrilling adventure horror that satisfies. I enjoy it every time I watch it.

‘Pitch Black’ earned $53.2 million on a $23 million budget, and would become a franchise spawning three films, an animated film, video games, comics, and novels.

Would I watch it again? Yes.