( very mildly spoilerish ) i must start by say that i be not usually impress by science fiction and so pitch black ( 2000 ) be a pleasant surprise . it have me hook from the very begin with rhythm and intensity and visual outburst that leave me fascinated and glue to my seat . i be very happy to say that this movie be the best ( okay and at least one of the best ) science fiction piece that i have see in a long and long time . the plot in short might sound simple a ( space ) ship crash on a supposedly deserted planet and the captain and caroline fry ( impressive radha mitchell ) and must lead the survivor to safety . at first and a cold blood murderer and riddick ( vin diesel and who play the role with very believable spare style ) and might seem like the group big problem but a the dusk start crawl in and the creature of the night start awaken . this lead to a desperate attempt to escape from the bloodthirsty predator and which and a we all can guess and do not lead to a happy family picnic . it not the plot itself that make the movie worth watch after all and let face it and if you strip it down to the basic it not that original but the skill in which it tell . the story flow forward and do not leave me yawn ( at least not much ) in any point . the directing be fabulous work . this be a very visual and even beautiful movie while the purple night view be a real treat . although and beautiful might not be the right word to use while yes and the image show be candy to the eye and but they also add a touch of unspecified grotesqueness and eeriness and a if something be just about to burst out from under the still surface . ( not to mention that the monster be really well do and they look realistic and which seem to be rare nowadays [ maybe people just can not be bother to make them look real . ] ) i do not only enjoy the visual side of the movie but also the psychological aspect of the story . during the movie we get to see the character unravel some of them fall and some of them rise but what fascinate me the most be the developing of the character of riddick . i enjoy watch the change in him throughout the movie . to go even far and the other thing i enjoy a lot with riddick be the incredibly well and originally execute ust ( unresolved sexual tension ) between fry and him that do not ( you will get what i mean once you see it ) . [ one can not deny that they have chemistry . don not even try or i will seek you out and make you listen to me play chopstick until you scream grin ] it be fresh . a radha mitchell once put it ( a modify quote ) and pitch black be a really sexy movie with no sex and which be what make it even more so interesting . so and to summarize and i recommend this movie even if youre really not a fan of space story . the suspense be keep until the very end and and what important and we be ( or at least i be ) leave want for more . if you can not be bother to think about psychology and subtext and such ( a be my bad habit ) and you will still find pitch black highly entertaining . just kick off your shoe and enjoy .