My blushing bride and I had the fun time of watching David Twohy’s “Pitch Black” last night. The film, which aired in 2000 and was marketed as something it was not, stands up better than expected. The reason it works is that the accent is on the characters, not the visuals. Sure, they’re important to the imagery of the film, but they aren’t essential.
What works is the characters and the way they develop throughout the course of the story. Many of us have seem movies that looked fantastic but never connected with us. Hell, the sequel, “The Chronicles of Riddick” fits this bill. That was a great looking film, but introduced a universe way too broad to deliver relatable characters. Here are a few other expensive movies that flopped mainly due to lack of character depth: “Spider-Man 3” ($278M), “The Lone Ranger” ($225M), and “Battleship” ($209M).
“Pitch Black” was the first time many viewers saw Vin Diesel and Radha Mitchell for the first time. They each have amazing story arcs. Mitchell plays Carolyn Fry, the pilot who finally puts together the courage to demand trust out of the murderer who is their only hope for survival. Riddick famously goes from chained psychopath to anti-hero. These hero arcs work, and only work, because others change and reveal their motives at the same time. Cole Hauser‘s character, Johns, provides the perfect point-counterpoint for Riddick, including one of the best moments of dialogue ever written.
Character can absolutely drive and change a story. My characters re-write our stories all the time. I am shocked and often delighted when they do. While shooting “American Hustle“, Christian Bale improved a scene. He told director David O. Russell that the whole scene would change the plot. Russell said, “Christian, I hate plots. I am all about characters, that’s it.”
I never mention Riddick as a model when I’m asked about the origins of Catwalk, but maybe I should. Cat is a very similar anti-hero; an everyman until duty thrusts him into a bigger role. In a way, he’s parts Riddick and Fry.He is the ultimate killing machine, but that machine is balanced with a conscience he never acknowledged or desired.
“Pitch Black” is the vehicle that launched Riddick’s notoriety. I can only hope that I’ve written Cat with enough character that the visuals don’t dictate the experience when people read or see him for the first time.
I had the privilege of interviewing Radha Mitchell during her tour for “The Crazies”. Check it out over at Horrorview.com.
Did you watch a film that looked expensive but ultimately disappointing? Leave a comment!
All the best,
nK
