Not just another an Alien knockoff

Rating: 7/10 (20 April 2017)

Plot; A ship crash lands on a planet where deadly, night roaming creatures may not be the greatest threat.
There are several elements that keep Pitch Black from being just another in a long line of Alien knockoffs, but the strongest of these is the character of Riddick. Vin Diesel may have the range of a spitball, but when it's in his wheelhouse he can crush it, as he does here. His Riddick is more than just an antihero, he's the straw that stirs the drink. Riddick is surrounded by some strong characters, all with satisfying arcs and little sections of turf to call their own. The film itself is tight and lean, with no wasted motion. The f/x are shoddy at times, but that's to be expected from a low budget sci-fi/horror film from the early 00's. What really matters is the execution, and here it's nearly pitch perfect.