Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl (A- or 3.5/4 stars)
Swords will clang in 'Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl', an action/adventure film directed by Gore Verbinski. This swashbuckling tale is solely based from the famous attraction park ride at 'Disney', and what an adaptation it is. After Elizabeth Swann (Keira Knightley) is kidnapped by Capt. Hector Barbossa (Geoffrey Rush) and his evil shipmates, resident blacksmith, Will Turner (Orlando Bloom) and a savvy pirate, Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp), get together to rescue her. But they soon find out that the other pirates have their own secret which details the purpose of Elizabeth's captivity; this isn't some frivolous kidnapping. The film is lengthy & slightly repetitive. But some fantastic action sequences, a tantalizing atmosphere, & charismatic characters make this ode to the attraction ride a truly magical experience.
Gov. Swann (Jonathan Pryce) of Port Royal is desperate to get his daughter back. The pirates (within this story) are cursed for eternity to neither live nor die. The antidote to such curse, you ask? Why, the blood of the child of Bill 'Bootstrap' Turner, of course. Mistaken for Turner's child, Barbossa captures Ms. Swann, holds her captive on 'The Black Pearl', while William and Jack chase them on their own stolen ship, 'The Interceptor'. Will wants the love of his life back; Jack wants treasure & revenge against Barbossa. All the while, they're all being chased by Port Royal's British fleet, headed up by Commodore Norrington. Another note, Norrington has aspirations to retrieve Elizabeth; he's in love with her. Still with me? I hope so, it's worth it.
Can they intercept 'The Black Pearl'? What of the British Navy? Who, if anyone, will reap the benefits of the treasure? What lies on the Isla de Muerta (Island of Death)? Against unrelenting odds, and a climax well-worth the wait, will Elizabeth, Will & Jack come out unscathed?
The all-star cast helps this movie greatly. Johnny Depp's drunk, non-sensical Jack Sparrow is a real hoot. Sparrow is an ambiguously fun character whom we won't soon forget. Geoffrey Rush excels as the manipulating villain. Knightley is great as she starts out as damsel-in-distress, but ends with more of a backbone than most pirates. Orlando Bloom continues his winning streak as man-with-sword. His presence in this film is undeniable. This adventure story thrives because of them and their hysterical, loveable supporting cast of fellow pirates and shipmen alike.
The movie begins in an upbeat, epic fashion. The middle is chock-full of swashbuckling fun. And the concluding 'curse' is interesting enough to hold attention. This plot allows for the strong possibility of a prequel and/or sequels to come. If you love the theme park ride, you'll likely love this. The locales are breathtaking. The costumes are well-detailed. The sword fighting is intense. An underwater special effect with the cursed pirates is amazing to behold. The comic flourishes are amusing. The music is unforgettable. And you get the sense that these scalawag pirates & their built-in cliches (walking the plank, etc.) are being celebrated here, not made fun of. Sans some mid-film dawdling, it's really the perfect summer blockbuster.
Gov. Swann (Jonathan Pryce) of Port Royal is desperate to get his daughter back. The pirates (within this story) are cursed for eternity to neither live nor die. The antidote to such curse, you ask? Why, the blood of the child of Bill 'Bootstrap' Turner, of course. Mistaken for Turner's child, Barbossa captures Ms. Swann, holds her captive on 'The Black Pearl', while William and Jack chase them on their own stolen ship, 'The Interceptor'. Will wants the love of his life back; Jack wants treasure & revenge against Barbossa. All the while, they're all being chased by Port Royal's British fleet, headed up by Commodore Norrington. Another note, Norrington has aspirations to retrieve Elizabeth; he's in love with her. Still with me? I hope so, it's worth it.
Can they intercept 'The Black Pearl'? What of the British Navy? Who, if anyone, will reap the benefits of the treasure? What lies on the Isla de Muerta (Island of Death)? Against unrelenting odds, and a climax well-worth the wait, will Elizabeth, Will & Jack come out unscathed?
The all-star cast helps this movie greatly. Johnny Depp's drunk, non-sensical Jack Sparrow is a real hoot. Sparrow is an ambiguously fun character whom we won't soon forget. Geoffrey Rush excels as the manipulating villain. Knightley is great as she starts out as damsel-in-distress, but ends with more of a backbone than most pirates. Orlando Bloom continues his winning streak as man-with-sword. His presence in this film is undeniable. This adventure story thrives because of them and their hysterical, loveable supporting cast of fellow pirates and shipmen alike.
The movie begins in an upbeat, epic fashion. The middle is chock-full of swashbuckling fun. And the concluding 'curse' is interesting enough to hold attention. This plot allows for the strong possibility of a prequel and/or sequels to come. If you love the theme park ride, you'll likely love this. The locales are breathtaking. The costumes are well-detailed. The sword fighting is intense. An underwater special effect with the cursed pirates is amazing to behold. The comic flourishes are amusing. The music is unforgettable. And you get the sense that these scalawag pirates & their built-in cliches (walking the plank, etc.) are being celebrated here, not made fun of. Sans some mid-film dawdling, it's really the perfect summer blockbuster.