7.3 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
In the not-too-distant future, a docking pilot makes a forced crash-landing of her spacecraft on a distant planet. As the survivors explore the uncomfortably hot planet, they must band together. The planet is eerie, arid, and lifeless. But as the sun sets and the planet plunges into total darkness, other inhabitants emerge -- including a fiendish murderer with a nose for blood.
Starring: Vin Diesel, Radha Mitchell, Cole Hauser, Keith David, Lewis Fitz-GeraldAction | 100% |
Sci-Fi | 64% |
Thriller | 58% |
Horror | 7% |
Video codec: VC-1
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.35:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
Spanish: DTS 5.1
French: DTS 5.1
English SDH, French, Spanish
Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Digital copy
Region A (B, C untested)
Movie | 4.5 | |
Video | 4.0 | |
Audio | 4.5 | |
Extras | 3.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
Best Buy and Universal have collaborated on a store exclusive SteelBook release for the 2000 Sci-Fi franchise starter 'Pitch Black.' The package contains a single disc which is identical to the VC-1 encoded Blu-ray released in 2009. The film was also previously released in SteelBook packaging with a comic book aesthetic. This version is much simpler and more apropos to the film's tone. See the 'Special Features and Extras' section of the review below for more on the SteelBook's look and feel.
For a full Blu-ray video review, please click here.
For a full Blu-ray audio review, please click here.
Pitch Black's SteelBook is...pitch black. Mostly. The front cover is entirely black save for a green-tinted semi-silhouette of the film's
protagonist, Riddick (Vin Diesel). He is wearing his trademark goggles, looking downward, turned partially to the left. There is no text anywhere on the
front cover. The rear side carries over the same ample black appearance. There's another green-tinted image here, this one a center position depiction
of Riddick's goggles. It is not a dead-on shot, instead featuring the eyewear canted a bit to the left. A small Universal logo and text appear at the
bottom, center, and a model number appears bottom right. The spine is much the same. The film's title appears in block green outline letters, center. A
Blu-ray disc logo appears at the top of the spine and a Universal logo at the bottom, both in that same green coloring. The SteelBook is textured and
grippy rather than smooth and glossy. It will not show obvious fingerprints.
Inside, the digital copy code is tucked underneath the left-hand side tabs. The lone disc is situated in a hub on the right. The inner print is a two-panel
spread that depicts a landscape scene from the planet on which the movie takes place, seen through the stylized "Riddick vision" look with highlights
looking a little blown out on the top-left. The image takes on a silvery black-and-white appearance.
For full coverage of the on-disc supplemental content, please click here.
Those who have been following the SteelBook reviews on Blu-ray.com probably know this reviewer is a fan of packaging simplicity. This one nails it. It's simple, tasteful, fits the movie's tone very well, and feels great in the hand. It's a shame Universal didn't take the opportunity of this SteelBook's release to pair it with a remastered Blu-ray, if not go the whole nine yards and offer a UHD version of the film, but for those who have yet to pick up the movie on Blu-ray, this is certainly the way to go. And, collectors will find the price attractive. Recommended.
Theatrical & Unrated Director's Cut | Chronicles of Riddick Series
2000
The Chronicles of Riddick | Limited Edition | Unrated
2000
Theatrical & Unrated Director's Cut | Chronicles of Riddick Series | Warcraft Fandango Cash
2000
2000
Special Edition
2000
Collector's Edition
2013
Limited Edition
2004
Ultimate Collector's Edition
1986
40th Anniversary Edition
1979
3-Disc Set
2010
1997
2004
2009
1992
2010
1987
1990
2013
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2017
2013
2013