Plot Details: This opinion reveals minor details about the movie's plot.

When I saw Pitch Black advertised, I immediately thought this is one for my DVD list. There was no way I was going to brave the traffic and lines to see this one, even the matinee was out of the question.

Now that I've seen this film, I can honestly say I would put it on the level of a fairly good Alien rip-off, but Vin Diesel makes this one worth the watching. My personal opinion is that Alien set the tone for this type of movie and it is the standard by which all others will be judged.

The movie is about a passenger transport knocked off course by a meteor storm. Of the 40 or so passengers only a handful survive the crash landing on a planet with three suns and no nightfall. Among the passengers there is a prisoner and his keeper, the eyes of the prisoner have been altered so that he can see in the dark. Just his luck he lands on a planet where it never gets dark. Prisons in the future are dark 24x7, thus with his altered eyes he can fight and protect himself. Vin Diesel is the prisoner. His keeper is a bounty hunter and they have a history. The survivors discover that this planet is unique, in the dark caves there are fierce creatures who feast on human flesh, then they discover that it gets dark once every 22 years and when it gets dark the creatures are able to fly free in the darkness and feast. What a bad time to crash land, it will be dark soon. The survivors discover that they are in the 22nd year. The one real lucky break they get is when they discover the escape craft of the previous inhabitants of the planet. They never get to use it, it gets dark too fast, now they have to make it to the escape craft and get off the planet.

This is a good movie, not a great movie, but I see it as a fairly good Alien type move. If you liked the movie Alien you'll love this movie and Vin Diesel is outstanding in this movie. Most of the characters do a great job, but none of them are as good as Vin Diesel he gives the movie it’s edge.

I recommend it, because it is a well put together fantasy that works and Vin Diesel carries the movie and does so with ease.


Recommended: Yes

Viewing Format: DVD
Video Occasion: Good for Groups
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 13 and Older