7.3 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 4.5 | |
Overall | 4.5 |
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 | 57% |
Horror | 7% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.35:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
English SDH
Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Slipcover in original pressing
Region A (B, C untested)
Movie | 4.0 | |
Video | 4.5 | |
Audio | 5.0 | |
Extras | 5.0 | |
Overall | 4.5 |
Arrow is continuing its foray into 4K UHD territory with its release of Pitch Black, but as with the label's first release in the "new (?), improved" format, Flash Gordon 4K, it's doing so with some interesting marketing strategies. As I mentioned in the Flash Gordon 4K Blu-ray review, that release didn't just come in two formats (i.e., "traditional" 1080 Blu-ray and 4K UHD), it also came in two different editions, each with differing supplements and/or non disc swag. The Flash Gordon 4K release was also interesting in that Arrow chose not to include the 1080 disc featuring the film in that package, as usually tends to be the case with most 4K UHD releases, opting instead to offer the second 1080 disc from the Limited Edition of the 1080 release (are you confused yet?) which offered a documentary and other supplements. In this instance, it appears that Arrow has decided not to release Pitch Black and Pitch Black 4K in tandem, at least as evidenced by our database (which shows Pitch Black 4K not coming out for another couple of weeks), and also as evidenced by the fact that as of the writing of this review, I haven't received a screener yet for the 4K release of the film.
Pitch Black is presented on Blu-ray courtesy of Arrow Video with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in 2.35:1. Arrow's heftier than usual insert booklet contains the following information on the restoration:
Pitch Black has been exclusively restored by Arrow Films and is presented in its original aspect ratio of 2.35:1 with 5.1 sound.To simply cut to the chase, this is the clearly superior looking presentation when compared to the now pretty old Universal release. That release had a somewhat processed, digital look which is commendably completely absent here, and as can be seen by looking at some of the similar screenshots shared between the two reviews, it becomes obvious how much better suffused this presentation is, even given some of the post production techniques and gradings that are frequently on display. The bleach bypass desert material has a somewhat more burnished, amber tone in this presentation, and even the cooler blue sequences offer a more suffused look in this version. Detail levels are generally excellent and even some of the darkest material offers above average shadow detail. There are some passingly rough looking moments, some of them quite rough indeed, albeit typically momentary (see screenshots 15, 17 and 18 for some examples). There are occasional pretty dramatic spikes in grain that aren't quite as evident in the Universal edition (see screenshot 6, comparable to screenshot 4 in Marty's review).
The original 35mm camera negative was scanned in 4K resolution at NBC Universal Post. The film was graded and restored in 4K at Silver Salt Restoration, London.
Additional grading was completed at NBC Universal under the supervision of director David Twohy.
Pitch Black features a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track that to my ears is basically identical to the one on the Universal release, though that said, once again my personal assessment is a bit more positive than Marty's already pretty solid score. The differing environments offered in the film provide a glut of great opportunities for well placed ambient environmental effects, and even general ambience differences as in the variances between some of the cloistered interiors and wide open outside spaces are very artfully handled in this expressive track. The same surround activity that Marty details in his review is again completely evident here, and there is also some very appealing rumbly LFE as well as a nicely spacious accounting of the almost "World Music" tinged score. Dialogue as well as some of the voiceover is all handled with excellent fidelity and no problems whatsoever.
- An Introduction by David Twohy (720p; 2:24)
- A View Into the Dark (720p; 4:05) focuses on the connections between this film and the sequel.
- Johns' Chase Log (1080p; 6:08) is a series of animated diaries supposedly documenting events that occurred before the film, narrated by Cole Hauser.
- The Chronicles of Riddick: Visual Encyclopedia (1080p; 1:42)
- Play with English SDH
- Animatic to Animation (1080p; 32:45)
- Advancing the Arc (720p; 1:29)
- Bridging the Gap (720p; 8:31)
- Peter Chung: The Mind of an Animator (720p; 5:03)
- Into the Light (720p; 5:04)
- Slam City (1080p; 8:04) is a motion comic prequel created by Brian Murray and David Twohy done for the film's official website.
- Into Pitch Black (1080p; 43:55) is a TV special that aired on Sci-Fi (as it was known then).
- Raveworld: Pitch Black Event (1080p; 20:37) documents a dance music event promoting the film with DJs Carl Cox and Nigel Richards.
- Pitch Black (UK Trailer) (1080p; 2:36)
- Pitch Black (green band) (1080p; 2:30)
- Pitch Black (red band) (1080p; 2:33)
- The Chronicles of Riddick (1080p; 1:34)
- Riddick (1080p; 2:24)
- Escape from Butcher Bay (1080i; 1:48)
- Production Stills (1080p)
- Concept Art & Special Effects (1080p)
- Storyboards (1080p)
- Publicity Gallery (1080p)
Arrow continues to curate a hugely appealing slate of releases, and their entry into the 4K UHD sweepstakes certainly has a number of fans (including yours truly) understandably excited, though fans of this particular film are going to have to wait a little while longer to see what Arrow's 4K UHD version actually looks like. This is another fantastic release from the label, one with superior technical aspects and absolutely top notch supplements. Highly 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
2004
2007
2011
2010
2017
2013
2013