I sincerely hope Gore Verbinski's career doesn't end up swinging from the yardarm of what has become his Pirates' trilogy. This franchise, when all is said and done, will end up making more money than any three movies in history, and it will definitely be a life changing experience for him. He'll either end up doing Disney movies for the rest of his life, or he'll beat the odds and end up becoming this generation's Francis Ford Coppola, turning in a string of finely-tuned independent films that make absolutely no money, but are very good anyway. Only time will tell.
The first movie was a grand adventure encompassing three of my favorite things. It had zombies, always good. It had pirates, mostly always good, unless they are in any way associated with Roman Polanski. (Not that I dislike Roman's work, it's just that even he makes the occasional expensive piece of crap. Also, while I'm on a roll here with this long sidebar, a special slap upside his pointy little head, and a hearty "What the hell were you thinking?!" to Steven Spielberg for Hook.) Anyway, the other thing the first Pirates movie had was the monkey. Best of all, Verbinski had the genius idea to combine all three elements to make a zombie pirate monkey. I was in heaven; the only thing missing from that movie was ninjas.
Of course, the monkey is back, and still operating under the curse of the Aztec gold, which makes for some satisfying minor mayhem. Everybody else is back too, for much, much more of the same. Two and a half hours of more of the same, to be exact. Verbinski could have easily chopped 45 minutes out of this film and it would have worked just fine. The principles are all in different places in their lives...sort of. Elizabeth and Will are set to be married – big shocker there – and Captain Jack Sparrow is still...well, he's still Captain Jack. There isn't a lot of character development in this one, and that's a shame. After all, the movie was two and a half hours long, plenty of time for some character building. Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man;s Chest seems to know it has a winning formula, and it sticks to it like a barnacle to the underside of a ship. Will is appropriately noble, Elizabeth is appropriately bold and brassy and willing to do what she feels is necessary to save the day, and Jack is...well, Jack.
The action and the special effects are appropriately amped up in true Jerry Bruckheimer fashion. I had problems with the triple swordfight scene, which suffers from a disturbing lack of witty banter, but it's still interesting. ILM takes a giant leap forward in its neverending quest to replace pesky actors by turning in some of the best motion-capture CGI to date. Bill Nighy joins Andy Serkis as the best actor not appearing in this film, as the frightening, tragic, and completely CGI Davey Jones.
Article comments
1 - Joanie
I disagree with you about character development in DMC. Elizabeth showed a more devious edge when she kissed Jack while the Kraken was attacking the ship.
Jack showed serious heart when he came back to the ship.
And Will, well, he proved to be the one character who didn't exactly grow, but he resolved much of what has always held him back.
Now, about the ending....
2 - Dan Traeger
See, that's the thing. In the first movie I saw Elizabeth as the most devious one of the bunch... a true pirate at heart if you will. She proved several times in POTC that she was willing to do what it takes to get the job done, no matter how unsavory. Wether it was stopping the pirate rampage by invoking the right of parlay, or taking Will's place as the cursebreaker, or even burning up all the rum on the smuggler's island. I didn't see the kiss as anything more than that. She didn't change, she didn't grow.
I see your point about Jack Sparrow though. He did seem to show his heroic side by taking on the Kraken singlehandedly. I'l reserve judgement on that until I see World's End and we find out wether or not he was just working an angle.
My whole point with this was that the movie was too bloody long not to have oodles of in depth character development and back story fill in. Though I will aquiesce... I did like what they did with the Davey Jones character set up, and his backstory was interesting, if a bit mysterious. Just like a good villian should be.
Still, it is the middle part of the story, and I'm sure I'll be well pleased by the time it's done.
3 - Joanie
While Elizabeth has always exhibited the heart of a pirate with her sense of adventure, she'd never used her sexuality in a devious manner. That one act was a huge step for her. She knew what would bring Jack to his knees and it finally dawned on her that she could use this power to her (and the others') advantage. It was a defining moment for her - the difference between the girl she used to be and the woman she's becoming.
I do agree with you on World's End being the key to how the story will ultimately be remembered. If done right, this trilogy will stand as the epic adventure it should be.
4 - zoya
well I personally think hat it was a splendid movie and it was 100% better then the first one and I don't know about ulot but I loved each and every part of it!
5 - Dan Traeger
As fair a judgement as any on blogcritics I think. :)
6 - kanrei
Great Review. I could not agree more. I sat through this movie thinking it would be a great director's cut, but was just too long for the middle chapter devoid of any real plot.
By the way:I was in heaven; the only thing missing from that movie was ninjas.
That is one of the best lines I have read yet.
7 - MACKENZIE
THAT WAS THE BEST MOVIE I HAVE EVER SEEN!!!!!!!!!!
8 - Dan Traeger
Okay, I get it, you haven't seen a lot of movies. No need to shout. Sheesh.
9 - RacelRacel
Seriously that was probably the best movie in the world. And itt was not too loonng. It was perfect. I hope the last is longer. I can not wait!!11!OB!! JD!!! Ahhh!
10 - myriah
I think that pirates 2 is the best movie ever written in the history of movies written. oh yeah. I cant WAIT until next may. any critics who diss it must be blind and deaf. it ROCKS!
11 - RacelRacel
Myriah I think you are so cool. Of course Pirates of the Carribean was one of the best movies in movie history!!!!
12 - RacelRacel
Pirates 3 comin out soon!! 2007!
13 - RacelRacel
Happy New Year Everyone!
14 - Sarah
i love these movies! the are my favorite of all time! and i absolutly love Jack and Elizabeth together! they never get boring like will and liz do and there not like overly dramatic about the whole love thing, like will and liz. i can explain jack and elizabeth's feelings for each other very simply( for those of you who are confused or don't know what to think) Jack wants Elizabeth but does not want to want her, and Elizabeth wants Jack but does not want to want him. basically there both very confused and in very deep denile about each other.