Thus Begins Riddick!

Rating: 7/10 (29 October 2004)

This story is the prequel to Chronicles of Riddick. But don't be fooled. I don't think Pitch Black was ever made with the intention of producing a sequel. I think Vin Diesel just became a big enough star that someone decided to continue the character of Riddick. This whole thing is sort of the reverse of "Remo Williams-The Adventure Begins," where the title would suggest a sequel maybe even a trilogy. But no, they started off with a big-shot title that never took flight other than its original film. I never could figure out why though. I mean, it's not all that bad of a movie.
Anyway, excuse my departure from the subject - Pitch Black. This film is a sci-fi/horror about a group of survivors who crash land on a deserted planet. But one of their passengers is a serial killer - Riddick. This surprised me in that I would have thought Vin to be the hero (which in a way he semi-becomes but not blatantly). Soon the unfamiliar companions realize there is something else to fear on the planet that is worse than Riddick. Bodies soon turn up missing.
This film does a good job with CGI for the creatures and Vin Diesel's character, while still an enigma at the end of the film, surprisingly portrays a backward struggle to compassion. And Radha Mitchell does will in playing a starship pilot seeking redemption. While these themes transpire nicely in the film, the main focus, of course, is on the alien creatures. The gore definitely brings the sci-fi into the horror level. Some good suspense scenes too, where the director draws you in to sympathize with the stranded crew, each of whom seem to have their own conflict. Just don't be misled in thinking you'll see Vin-Riddick as the superhero that Chronicles of Riddick make him out to be. In this film, his motto is, "When the Bad Get Good." 7/10