Escaped criminal Richard B. Riddick (Vin Diesel) is being transported back to prison when the intergalactic transport crash lands on a planet where the world is thrown into darkness by an eclipse of the three suns every 22 years. Soon the survivors of the crashed ship, Marshal Johns (Cole Hauser), pilot Fry (Rhada Mitchell), and others must band together to survive the dark as creatures come out to attack them. The race is on for the survivors to get off the planet.

PITCH BLACK is the start of the Riddick series. It is a sci-fi horror film that has aged well since I first saw it in theaters back in 2000. Riddick is the role I like Vin Diesel best for and I rather see more Riddick movies than the more popular FAST AND FURIOUS blockbusters. PITCH BLACK spawned two sequels- the box office bomb/ space opera CHRONICLES OF RIDDICK, and the sequel/ soft remake RIDDICK. Director/ co-writer David Twohy has crafted one of the most memorable sci-fi movies since ALIEN (even though I think THE CHRONICLE S OF RIDDICK expands the scope for the best film of the series).

SPECIAL FEATURES:
Both the Theatrical and Unrated Director's Cut have undergone brand new 4K restorations by Arrow Films which have been approved by Director David Twohy. The new blu-ray edition carries over old content from previous blu-ray editions along with material that have never been available on blu-ray and some new interviews with cast and crew.

Two archive audio commentaries-

NIGHTFALL: THE MAKING OF PITCH BLACK- new interview with director David Twohy
BLACK BOX: JACKIE'S JOURNEY
BLACK BOX: SHAZZA'S LAST STAND- a new recorded interview with actress Claudia Black

BLACK BOX: BLEACH BYPASSED- new interview with cinematographer David Egby
BLACK BOX: CRYO-LOCKED- new interview with visual effects supervisor Peter Chiang
BLACK BOX: PRIMAL SOUNDS- new interview with composer Graeme Revell

THE MAKING OF PITCH BLACK- a short behind-the-scenes featurette
PITCH BLACK RAW- comparison between early CG tests and final footage
A VIEW INTO THE DARK
CHRONICLES OF RIDDICK Visual Encyclopedia
JOHNS' CHASE LOG- short PITCH BLACK prequel narrated by Cole Hauser
THE CHRONICLES OF RIDDICK: DARK FURY anime (in 16:9 with 5.1 DTS-HD MA audio)
DARK FURY bonus featurettes (BRIDGING THE GAP, PETER CHUNG: THE MIND OF THE ANIMATOR, A VIEW INTO THE LIGHT) and a pre-animation version of DARK FURY

SLAM CITY- PITCH BLACK prequel motion comic
INTO PITCH BLACK- non-cannon epilogue to PITCH BLACK which looks at the PITCH BLACK movie as a bounty hunter looks to track down Riddick
RAVEWORLD: PITCH BLACK EVENT- footage of a dance event to promote PITCH BLACK
Image galleries
Theatrical trailers for PITCH BLACK, THE CHRONICLES OF RIDDICK, and RIDDICK
Video game trailer for ESCAPE FROM BUTCHER BAY

FINAL ANALYSIS: PITCH BLACK is as great as it was twenty years ago. It's an instant classic like ALIEN was when it hit theaters. It has a great cast, story, direction, and awesome creature design. Arrow Video hits it out of the park with this extras packed special edition.

This review is (c) 10-6-2020 David Blackwell and cannot be reprinted without permission. Send all comments to feedback@enterline-media.com and check for further content at http://enterlinemedia.tumblr.com