Non-spoiler Review
Captain Jack Sparrow and his band of pirate misfits sailed into the record books this weekend, plundering box offices with a $132 million, record-setting debut. Despite what the critics say…they can walk the plank…Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest was everything a summer blockbuster should be and about as fun a pirate film as has ever sailed the celluloid sea.
Pirates 2 (as I will hereafter call it) was exactly the film that I hoped it would be. The film makers plumbed the depths of sea-faring lore and hauled in a bounty of piratey fun. Pirates 2 is the first popcorn movie of the summer to meet and even exceed my expectations. At 2.5 hours it is just the right length to offer viewers a treasure trove of action and adventure while leaving plenty of time to spend with everyone’s favorite characters.
The biggest criticism that I have read has to do with story, or what the critics perceive as a lack thereof. I differ on that point entirely. The story structure of the Pirates movies, like that of the now classic adventure film Star Wars, is an admittedly simple one and yet is one of the most profound and foundational story structures that exists: the story of good vs. evil, of man against monster, of seemingly average people rising above and becoming heroes. It is a story that works and as such, when done well, it doesn’t have to have layers upon layers to give it credibility. It strikes a cord because it is a story that we all understand and gravitate towards. Pirates 2 takes that story structure and makes it infinitely more fun by adding sea monsters and sword fights, pirate ships and an undead monkey, a beautiful woman and everyone’s favorite: Captain Jack Sparrow.
Johnny Depp is as marvelous as he was in the first one. There isn’t anything particularly new with his performance but that is as it should be. We all fell in love with Captain Jack Sparrow the first time around…why on earth would anyone mess with such a terrific performance. Orlando Bloom is slightly more confident and swash-buckley (yes, I made it up) this time around. Keira Knightley plays a bigger and more aggressive part this time around showing that she is fantastic in both period pieces and action roles. Bill Nighy (after I got past envisioning him as the vampire from Underworld everytime he talked) was terrific as Davy Jones. The combination of his acting and incredible special effects makes Davy Jones one of the best adventure film villains I have seen in some time. In addition there are a number of great performances by characters from the first film and ones new to this one but to talk about them would be to give away the fun of the film.
The special effects were unbelievable. They honestly just keep getting better and better. Davy Jones and his crew, brought to life by a combination of costumes, make-up, and digital effects, were fantastically creepy. Having recently read 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea and having a fascination with the depths of the sea since childhood I have to admit that I loved the kraken. It was amazing! The monstrous tentacles looked so real and, combined with the excellent squishy sound effects, it was hard to believe that they weren’t real…except for the fact that they were enormous! What child who has watched or read about anything to do with the vastness of the ocean doesn’t believe that there are huge, ginormous beasties lurking under the waves? It was so great to see this brought to life.
There were so many other great visual aspects to this film. Davy Jones’ ship was very well done, quite ghostly and eerie. I loved the mechanical heart music box that lay on his organ and the dead man’s chest itself was such a great prop. Kudos to all the art directors and designers of this film, they did a splendid job.
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest was a terrific sequel to the first film, incorporating story lines and characters from that film in many fun ways and it sets up the next film perfectly. I cannot wait until next year. Ignore any negatives you may have heard, if you enjoyed the first movie you will certainly enjoy this one. Yo ho ho, a pirate’s life for me!
There will probably be spoilers in the comments so be warned! I encourage anyone who has seen it to both talk about it an put the word “Spoilers” at the start of their comments, thanks.
I was eagerly awaiting your review and you didn’t disappoint me in the least! I liked it too, and for all the reasons you said…and I loved the part after the credits, altho it was easy to guess for me!
For those of you who didn’t stay for the credits (it was WAY TOO HOT in our theatre), here is Janet’s explanation:
“Remember when the cannibals were chasing the dog? Well…they made him king LOL! He was sitting in the throne, with a big old bone in his mouth, and he was one happy dog! Course, I hope they don’t try to burn him like they did to Johnny. Oh buggah! Course he’ll be rescued tho…and wasn’t it great seeing Barbarossa! What an ending! ”
d’oh…it’s Barbossa
I agree wholeheartedly, a great movie! And what a cliffhanger ending! Can’t wait for the next voyage.
Is this one of those films that have to be seen in a certain order? (Yes, this is the part where I confess that I have not yet seen the original.) You’ve made it sound like fun!
Well, I admit to a serious bias regarding Johnny Depp, who I thought was as good as he was in the first one. I did think it needed more editing. There was a scene where the wheel was rolling down the mountain and twice you could see the wheel standing still, but the background was moving. Did I see a poor print or did you notice that too? I thought the two inept pirates were great.
I didn’t see that Pat, but that’s not to say it was just your print, it may have been that I just didn’t notice.
Okay, I talked to two people today who had seen this movie. One is a fellow Johnny Depp addict and she raved about it. I think I need to go see it again. I sat through the whole movie with a very bad headache and I just wanted it to be over. Can you believe I would say something like that about a Johnny Depp movie?!
Its understandable. A 2.5 hour action/pirate movie isn’t exactly the cure to a headache, despite the presence of the much beloved Johnny Depp.
I also loved this swashbucking adventure; can’t wait for the DVD and for my birthday next year when Pirates 3 is set to release. May 25, 2007! Which also happens to be the 30th anniversary of the release of Star Wars. I hear they are prepping it for a re-release in 3-D too.
Seriously? Wow. We had incredibly different experiences. None of the charm of the first film, and I couldn’t manage to buy the stakes despite my best effort. Their efforts at a love triangle were so entirely without chemistry I was actually embarrassed for them.
Didn’t hate it as much as, say Matrix 2, but… it was close.
I’ll see 3 for Chow Yun-Fat, but if he weren’t in it, I’d be out.
To each their own, I suppose. Glad you liked it — I really enjoyed the first one.
Hey Kelly Sue!!! Pirates, as odd as it sounds for a movie based on an amusement park ride, seems to be the big divisive movie of the year so far. I have read/heard so many opinions on both sides of the spectrum. Usually with movies I can easily see other people’s sides and why they may or may have not liked a film but for this one (and I don’t know why) its hard for me to understand. I just don’t see any difference between the first one and the second one. I still respect everyone’s opinion and understand that films especially are a to each his own type of medium, but I just don’t understand people’s strong affinity for the first one and hatred/disappointment with the second.
Nice to have you visit Kelly. I’m very jealous of your Heroes Con experience!!! 😉
swash-buckley – refering to the characteristic of being able to roll, flip and dodge bullets all while swinging a sword, intoning “ARRRRRR!!!!” ( i love new words) and not spilling the whiskey (unless the bottle gets smashed, darlin)
can’t post on this now. it was good. everything i wanted. everything…
Glad to hear it Mysfit. I was thinking of you three when we went knowing your love of all things pirate related.
yes indeedy – gonna have a pirate bathroom if i can help it – got the bathmat and the shower curtain, working on the rest 😉
(p.s. i know my other comment should say “run” and “luv” but I be me and no other, saavy?)
I saavy indeed!
I loved it, no, it’s not the same as the first, but the first was new and suprising, this time was more like visiting a favorite friend. I await the next one eagerly.
i thought it was a excellent movie but my friend beside me just kept askin me like wut wud i do if elizabeth was really a BOY? i was gettin pissed cuz i just wanted 2 wacth the movie but hes my best friend so o well it was a great movie the actors played there roles very well but i think id like 2 c some naked scenes with elizabeth next time
*watch
o and those critics that say that the film sucked? well they can go screw themsleves it was a very fine movie and i have no respect for those friggen jackasses
I read you loud and clear matt.
Not that this will be read anymore, but Karen and I finally saw it last week. What a great movie! Loved every bit of it. No complaints at all, can’t wait until the next one.
I can see if people comment on old posts so here I am to respond. Glad you guys liked it. I too thought it was very fun but ALOT of people I know just hated it which remains beyond my comprehension.
I cannot fathom why on earth would anyone be disappointed with this movie. What else do you want? Action, suspense, love story, great creepy f/x; it has it all! Very entertaining and well worth the theater price. I watched pirates I at work today and Keira K. has definitely gotten skinnier. Not that she was in any way big to begin with.
She could definitely afford to put on a few more pounds, no doubt about it. I would understand if someone said that they don’t like either film. I can live with that. But liking the first and hating the second just completely boggles my mind.
This is my favorite movie
Look forward to hearing what you think of Pirates 3, Lily!!!