Written by Pollo Misterioso
Five years ago when someone said Pirates of the Caribbean the classic Disneyland ride came to mind, complete with “yo hos” and “dead men tell no tales.” Now with The Pirates of the Caribbean films, pirates have a whole new association, Captain Jack Sparrow has even been added to the Disney ride. Ridden too many times and a theme park attraction begins to lose its novelty, and like the ride that it takes its title from Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End, the third and (hopefully) final installment the Pirates of the Caribbean films stretches stories and characters so thin, that its hard to remember why you loved it so much in the first place.
Both the writers of the film and I are under the impression that you have seen the previous two films, The Curse of the Black Pearl and Dead Man’s Chest, because if you have not then you are out of luck. In fact, if you have not seen them back-to-back, it is hard to pick up on all of the references used in the film. As a disclaimer, see the other two first, and with that aside, this is the final chapter to this trilogy.
The last that we left our favorite crew, Captain Barbossa (Geoffrey Rush) had just been brought back to life to help retrieve Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) who is in Davy Jones’ Locker, something like purgatory. We begin At World’s End with Elizabeth Swann (Keira Knightley), William Turner (Orlando Bloom) and the rest of the crew trying to find a ship and map to Davy Jones’ Locker. The problem being that Jack must be brought back because he is one of the nine Pirate Lords that complete the Brethren Court. They must unite to fight against the East India Trading Co., which has been slowly taking over the seas with the control of Davy Jones.
The film is about freedom, the freedom of choice, of honor and of the self. Every character wants something different, but in the pirate world betrayal and backstabbing are a part of it, so it gives the themes a little twist. But this is where the problems lie; there is just too much going on in already very long movie.
Will Turner is trying to save his father, so that involves making plans with the British, with Davy Jones and Jack Sparrow. Jack wants The Black Pearl and that involves Davy Jones and his heart, the British and Turner. Davy Jones wants his heart so that he can control his actions and that involves the British and everyone else that is trying to get to it first. This isn’t even getting into Elizabeth’s or Captain Barbossa’s stories. This being my point—there is just too much plot to get through that it doesn’t impact the viewer when important things happen.
Article comments
1 - Rebecca Wright
I have to admit that I was bored by the end of this film. I don't really need to see a fourth either, though I imagine it will be forthcoming.
2 - Dr Dreadful
I just saw this on the plane (admittedly, not an environment conducive to movie appreciation) and I agree that it was way too long. I didn't note many loose ends, though - they seemed to be all pretty much tied up.
I did enjoy the scene with Johnny Depp and Keith Richard, particularly the bit where Jack asks "How's Mum?" and for answer, Teague holds up her shrunken head. Nice bit of black humor.
Overall, 'At World's End' just seemed tired, and if it weren't for the always watchable Depp, and Geoffrey Rush hamming it up for all he's worth, I don't think I could have stuck it.
3 - A Shame
I can't understand why Verbinski and Bruckheimer took so much life and character out of Tia Dalma. That is the most disappointing part of this movie for me. In #2 she was intriguing, sensual yet had obvious strength of character. She did not have the same qualities in #3. Almost like it was being played by a completely different actor.
That and the fact that in #2 Tia Dalma said the reason Davy Jones cut out his heart was for love (or hurt) and then in #3 we find that in fact if you captain the Dutchman, you loose your heart. Seems like a large unexplained inconsistency that whomever was watching for continuity should have noticed.
IF they do another, although Jack Sparrow is my favorite fun character, I believe they should come up with a whole new premise and maybe have Jack and Balbossa only do a cameo. And I include Balbossa because of the internet debate on which is the most beloved by the fans... so lets have both :)
4 - patrick
The first Pirates of the Caribbean was great, not too sure about the other two, tho the special effects were top notch of course. i hear they're coming out with a fourth installment...