April 25, 2007
Black as Pitch
Written by Jenna Petersen in Jaunty PostLast night, while eating my dinner, I watched “Pitch Black”, the 2000 science fiction movie starring Vin Diesel (in his breakout performance). I am in love with this movie. In fact, this is the second time I’ve watched it this week (partly because we finally bought it on DVD after I watched it, yet again, on Showtime) It’s th Director’s Cut, which is highly superior to the theatre version if you’ve never seen it.
Anyway, the thing I love about this movie is the two male leads. Cole Hauser plays the bitter, addicted, violent Merc, Johns. With his lean, muscular body, his bright baby blue eyes and his badge, Johns should be the ‘hero’. And yet, he is conflicted, ugly and capable of cruelty on a variety of levels.
And then there is Diesel’s character, Riddick. An escaped convict, he’s the bad guy the Merc Johns is bringing back to prison when the transport they’re traveling in crashes onto a hostile world where night only comes every 22 years. And when it comes, it brings with it death from a group of truly creepy animals. Of course, our motley little crew lands on the day of the eclipse and Riddick has a special physical attribute. He can see perfectly in the dark thanks to a ’shine job’ he got in prison.
Diesel plays his character with the coiled strength of a powerful animal. He is raw and powerful, delivering his lines with a quiet calm that is both sexy and disconcerting. He tempts fate. He cares and does only for himself. And he will kill. There is no doubt about it.
Does he have character growth? Absolutely. I won’t give away the moment that changes him. But there is still that raw quality. Riddick will always be Riddick. Always.
The reason I love this movie is because of his character. It is so strong, so believeable, so absolutely achingly perfect that I get a chill every time I watch it. Riddick is the quintessential dark hero. I’m not talking the ‘dark hero’ who doesn’t act dark. Riddick IS dark. He revels in his black soul. And as sexy as I find him, I also have no illusions that he is totally redeemed when the credits roll at the end. And THAT is character to me. When I feel I know someone from top to bottom. When their every decision and action makes perfect sense (even the unexpected ones) to me because of what a writer and an actor have done.
So what kind of character gives you that shiver? Any movie or book characters that have taken you to that edge where you utterly believe they could stroll off the screen or page?
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Margo Maguire Says:
The hero of the book, OUTLANDER - Jamie Frasier. He was one of the most in-depth characters I’ve ever read (as was the heroine, Claire).
Shirley Karr Says:
Reggie, the hero of Mary Jo Putney’s Regency historical, The Rake & The Reformer. His progress as a recovering alcoholic had a profound impact on me and my writing, as did the book in general.
(And y’all probably thought I was going to cite a different character, didn’t you? ;-))
Shana Says:
Oh, Margo, I agree with you 100%. Claire and Jamie seemed so real to me.
Yes, Shirley, I thought you might lean toward a character with a nautical bent…
Shirley Karr Says:
Bent… Good one, Shana! lol
I didn’t mention Captain Jack because Jenna asked about characters that could stroll off the screen, and Jack belongs on the big screen. But he *is* fascinating — a man who’s apalled to find out he really is a good guy deep down, and keeps resisting that goodness.
Jenna Petersen Says:
I love characters like that. Ones that want to be bad and yet good keeps coming up (like Riddick, actually). I really need to write one of those. I’d love to redeem a villain.
Kathryn S Says:
Oh, Jenna! I love Pitch Black! You are so rigth about Riddick’s character. I love how he was taken from bad guy to hero. The writers made it seem so subtle by having him constantly ‘up’ his good-at-heartness in almost every scene. But that whole movie was wonderful at showing the dark and light of every character.
Now, I want to go watch PB again!
Jenna Petersen Says:
You should! I’m considering watching it AGAIN for the commentary with Vin, Cole Hauser and the director.
But you’re a Vin girl, right? I mean: VIN. What else is there to say??
Kelly Says:
I don’t really get the fascination with Vin. Sorry, Jenna. But Cole! Yes, please! Anyone see him in White Oleander? He was the best part of the movie.
Shirley Karr Says:
I haven’t seen PB, but we did watch Vin in xXx (mostly because of the cars — I drive a ‘65 Pontiac Tempest). I was pleasantly surprised by his acting ability. Will have to add PB to my Netflix list.
Jenna Petersen Says:
It’s really good, Shirley. I think I like it more each time I see it. And I love xXx, as well! Very fun and sort of the anti-Bond.
Anne Mallory Says:
I’ve been wanting to see this, Jenna. I think the only reason I haven’t is because my movie watching crowd saw it one night when I was gone.
I did see The Chronicles of Riddick (love me the Karl Urban) and was very intrigued by the character of Riddick. I also heard PB was miles better. Putting it on my list.
Jenna Petersen Says:
Anne, I was SO disappointed with CoR, but El Guapo said the uncut director’s edition was wayyyy better. So I think I might watch that tonight. Definitely take a gander at PB, though. It’s awesome!
Kathryn S Says:
Oh yeah, I’m a Vin girl. I could listen to him talk for hours! lol. I even watched him in The Pacifier. The plot was pretty thin, but he was fabulous in it. Definitely he’s a man who doesn’t take himself too seriously and I love that.
Jenna Petersen Says:
Yes, I think that’s it! He doesn’t take himself seriously. And that ‘whatever’ attitude can be very sexy when it’s dark and it can be pretty funny when it’s light.
And the voice. Don’t get me started. Mmmmmm….
Lacey Kaye Says:
This is definitely a great movie. I remember exactly where I was the first time I saw it!