Most days, I’d consider it flattering if people seemed wary of me. But right now, that’s not what matters. Pitch Black was directed by David Twohy, with a script written collaboratively by Twohy alongside Ken and Jim Wheat. The cast includes Vin Diesel, Radha Mitchell, Cole Hauser, Keith David, Lewis Fitz-Gerald, Claudia Black, and Rhiana Griffith. Graeme Revell composed the music, and David Eggby served as cinematographer. The year 2000 saw a lot of science fiction movies released; not all were good, but this one stood out at the top of the pack—a terrific blend of action, horror, and science fiction. From the very beginning, we’re thrown onto the cargo ship Hunter-Gratzner, which is plummeting through space after being struck by meteorite debris. Junior officer Caroline Fly (Mitchell) manages to crash land on a nearby planet after waking from hyper sleep. Only a few passengers survive the crash, including notorious convict Richard B. Riddick (Diesel). As the survivors grapple with threats from within their own group, it becomes clear that something even more dangerous is coming: a deadly alien species that can only operate in darkness. It’s unfortunate, then, that an eclipse is on its way. Let's address the obvious right away—Pitch Black shares similarities with Alien, like many films inspired by Ridley Scott’s groundbreaking work. However, this film still feels fresh and demonstrates how to make a low-budget movie with style, grace, intelligence, and impact; the production quality earns an "A" grade. It might be surprising, given the plot summary, that it's really driven by its characters. Twohy consistently develops his characters even as the violence and terror escalate—and they’re a very diverse group. We have one of the universe’s most dangerous criminals, a resourceful female officer forced to take command, a bounty hunter addicted to morphine, an Islamic priest with young companions, a camp alcoholic, and a couple of strays. It's like *The Wild Bunch*, but everyone gets a chance to impact the story before they are inevitably picked off one by one at the claws of the beasts. The narrative’s strength comes from Diesel’s portrayal of the hulking convict; he has undergone optical surgery that allows him to see in the dark! The group must rely on him because he seems like their best hope for survival, but can they trust him? What are his hidden motives? Riddick serves as a foil to Fry's character—at times resembling a devil and angel attempting to merge solely for survival. Mitchell (sexy, vulnerable, tough, smart) and Diesel (moody, imposing, gravel-voiced, menacing) deliver excellent performances, as does the technical team. The world created here is a welcome departure from one of the pitfalls of science fiction films: an unbelievable setting. Twohy, Eggby, and the art department create a world with three suns, a scorched and barren landscape, using photography that alternates between bleached and metallic filters to maximize the sci-fi atmosphere. While the special effects don’t reflect a huge budget, pay attention to the sequence before the eclipse. What about the creatures themselves? They are numerous—a pterodactyl-like nightmare that emits high-pitched cries, smells blood, and moves quickly. Like Riddick, they have specialized vision in the dark; it's light that they fear, giving our survivors a glimmer of hope for how to ward them off. The science and logic aren’t perfect, but who cares? This is a well-crafted and suspenseful sci-fi film that puts many bigger-budget Hollywood productions to shame. By the time you reach the finale—where there's still plenty of room for thrills—you might find your fingernails gone and yourself on the edge of your seat. 9/10

Source on TMDB