If you want to be scared by nasty monsters, rent Aliens

Rating: 7/10 (23 February 2000)

Pitch Black: A ship of interstellar colonists has their plans changed when they pass through the tail of a wayward comet. They crash-land on a barren planet, with three suns, and no life, or at least that's what they're led to believe. With an eclipse on the way, a killer on the loose and some scary creatures who come out only at night, things don't bode well for our heroes.
I was impressed with the before-the-eclipse cinematography - the landscape was stark, blinding and essentially monochromatic, creating a feeling of desolation and desperation (I know I wouldn't want to be stuck there under any circumstances). Second, the opening sequence is extremely well done - from the howling winds to the wild debris - the viewer feels like they are in the cockpit with the crew. I also enjoyed Vin Diesel's performance as the murderer with a conscience. Unfortunately, the movie never recaptures its momentum and becomes increasingly insipid. What exactly are the odds that you would crash-land on a planet with three suns, with a killer that can see in the dark the day before a total solar eclipse (that occurs once every two decades) engulfs the planet. I'm guessing slim to none. To make matters worse, the monsters, are without a doubt, the worst waste of computer animation I have ever seen. Who dreamed up these walking anvils with teeth? I found them laughable rather than terrifying. Finally, the ending was contrived and anti-climactic.

Unless you're absolutely desperate for a science fiction / action fix, save this one for cheap movie night.