Pitch Black (2000)

My Review

“Pitch Black” is a science fiction movie about a space ship crash landing on a desert planet, inhabited by menacing creatures. The crew has their hands full, especially when a high-level prisoner they are transporting escapes. The formulaic thrills, chills, and spills proceed from there, well handled by director David Twohy (“Timescape” 1992). He co-wrote the screenplay with Ken Wheat and Jim Wheat.

The cast is headed by Vin Diesel as big-time criminal Richard B. Riddick. He would go on to star in the two sequels of this film, “The Chronicles of Riddick” (2004) and “Riddick” (2013). A fourth film tentatively called “Riddick: Furya” is in production at this very moment. Co-stars include Radha Mitchell, Cole Hauser, Keith David, Rhiana Griffith, Lewis Fitz-Gerald, Claudia Black, Simon Burke, John Moore, and Firass Dirani as a young pilgrim.

The watchable “Pitch Black” was a modest hit in theatrical release for Gramercy Pictures, PolyGram Film Entertainment, Interscope Communications, and Universal Pictures. Principal photography took place in Queensland, Australia, with a few shoots in Los Angeles.