Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest (B- or 2.5/4 stars)
'PotC: Dead Man's Chest' (directed by Gore Verbinski) is a Disney Action/Adventure film and a direct sequel to Curse of the Black Pearl (2003). It is several months after Elizabeth Swann & Will Turner (Keira Knightley, Orlando Bloom) have helped Cpt. Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) escape from the British government in Curse of the Black Pearl. And unfortunately for them, it is on the day of their wedding when they find out that they are to be arrested by sinister Lord Cutler Beckett (Tom Hollander). Beckett will pardon Will Turner is he can track down Sparrow & obtain a compass that will lead him to the 'Dead Man's Chest'. Coincidentally, Jack Sparrow is looking for a 'key' to the same 'Dead Man's Chest'.
Sparrow owes a debt to this film's main villain, Davy Jones (Bill Nighy). He is the current ruler of the seas (as the evil Barbossa was in the 1st film). Davy Jones is a great character as he has an amazing CGI-effects face that is quite octopus-like. Jack Sparrow doesn't hold on to his end of the bargain & Jones (along with Will Turner) is in a mad chase to find Sparrow, the key & the Chest. Why are these men so desperately seeking this chest?
You know, the film starts strong with the introduction of new characters (Naomi Harris as the mysterious Tia Dalma, the swamp witch who gives Jack Sparrow his magic compass). And we also see some familiar & welcomed faces (Jack Davenport as Commodore James Norrington; Jonathan Pryce as Gov. Weatherby Swann; and the comedic duo of Lee Arenberg & Mackenzie Crook as Pintel & Ragetti). The plot is laid out, some funny moments occur & great action sequences commence. But 'Dead Man's Chest' is inconsistent with its flow. Right after a string of humorous and/or exciting scenes, followed 10-15 minutes at a clip where the story stalls & nothing interesting occurs. When Will Turner meets up with his presumed dead father (Stellan Skarsgard as 'Bootstrap' Bill Turner), there is no real emotion displayed. I find the rest of that particular storyline to be rather boring.
Now visually, this film is absolutely spectacular. The special effects are incredible; the lighting, sets & costumes are magnificent; the musical score (by Hans Zimmer) is memorable; the action is impressive; & as previously mentioned, the humor kept me prone in my seat (i.e., a scene where the Pirates face-off and run from a band of cannibals). But these scenes came only sporadically. Johnny Depp weaves his magic spell as androgynous Jack Sparrow, once again. I could watch him as Sparrow, all day. A scene where he tries to loosen himself from becoming a human shish kabob is hysterical. Bloom & Knightley are fine, but I expected more (we may get plenty in the 3rd film, from what the plot has left for them).
See, in Curse of the Black Pearl (2003), there were clever tie-ins to the iconic Disney theme park ride. And an enchanting mix of story & swashbuckling action unfolded before our eyes. But I didn't feel the same sense of joy & excitement as in the 1st film. There is no reason for this Disney film to complicate itself with a muddled, dilly-dally plot & surpass the patience-testing 150 min. mark. And I'm sure most children wouldn't appreciate the gaps & lulls of this lengthy film. In all, 'Dead Man's Chest' performed its' duty as being one of this summer's finer blockbusters. But Curse of the Black Pearl is superior; and I anticipate the next film in this franchise so that I can forget some of the mediocrity displayed this time around.
Sparrow owes a debt to this film's main villain, Davy Jones (Bill Nighy). He is the current ruler of the seas (as the evil Barbossa was in the 1st film). Davy Jones is a great character as he has an amazing CGI-effects face that is quite octopus-like. Jack Sparrow doesn't hold on to his end of the bargain & Jones (along with Will Turner) is in a mad chase to find Sparrow, the key & the Chest. Why are these men so desperately seeking this chest?
You know, the film starts strong with the introduction of new characters (Naomi Harris as the mysterious Tia Dalma, the swamp witch who gives Jack Sparrow his magic compass). And we also see some familiar & welcomed faces (Jack Davenport as Commodore James Norrington; Jonathan Pryce as Gov. Weatherby Swann; and the comedic duo of Lee Arenberg & Mackenzie Crook as Pintel & Ragetti). The plot is laid out, some funny moments occur & great action sequences commence. But 'Dead Man's Chest' is inconsistent with its flow. Right after a string of humorous and/or exciting scenes, followed 10-15 minutes at a clip where the story stalls & nothing interesting occurs. When Will Turner meets up with his presumed dead father (Stellan Skarsgard as 'Bootstrap' Bill Turner), there is no real emotion displayed. I find the rest of that particular storyline to be rather boring.
Now visually, this film is absolutely spectacular. The special effects are incredible; the lighting, sets & costumes are magnificent; the musical score (by Hans Zimmer) is memorable; the action is impressive; & as previously mentioned, the humor kept me prone in my seat (i.e., a scene where the Pirates face-off and run from a band of cannibals). But these scenes came only sporadically. Johnny Depp weaves his magic spell as androgynous Jack Sparrow, once again. I could watch him as Sparrow, all day. A scene where he tries to loosen himself from becoming a human shish kabob is hysterical. Bloom & Knightley are fine, but I expected more (we may get plenty in the 3rd film, from what the plot has left for them).
See, in Curse of the Black Pearl (2003), there were clever tie-ins to the iconic Disney theme park ride. And an enchanting mix of story & swashbuckling action unfolded before our eyes. But I didn't feel the same sense of joy & excitement as in the 1st film. There is no reason for this Disney film to complicate itself with a muddled, dilly-dally plot & surpass the patience-testing 150 min. mark. And I'm sure most children wouldn't appreciate the gaps & lulls of this lengthy film. In all, 'Dead Man's Chest' performed its' duty as being one of this summer's finer blockbusters. But Curse of the Black Pearl is superior; and I anticipate the next film in this franchise so that I can forget some of the mediocrity displayed this time around.