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Pirates of the Caribbean review
:. Director: Gore Verbinski
:. Starring: Johnny Depp, Geoffrey Rush
:. Running Time: 2:10
:. Year: 2003
:. Country: USA
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Is a movie necessarily bad when it's: 1)from Disney 2)based on an amusement park ride 3)released in the summer 4)features pirates? Usually, I'd say yes. Except when you figure in the Johnny Depp factor and the writers who brought you Shrek. Depp is the real pearl in this treasure chest half full with fool's gold.
As producer, Jerry Bruckheimer certainly knew how to manipulate the Depp factor (Hey, a Disney movie with Depp, Orlando Bloom and Geoffrey Rush? Cool!) Depp plays Captain Jack Sparrow, a supremely wacky, jinxed pirate in search of a ship to call home. He happens on an area ruled by the Governor (Jonathan Pryce) and a free spirited daughter (Keira Knightly), who has dreamed of pirates ever since she saved one as a young girl. What ensues is her secret love affair, kidnappings, explosions, a deserted island, a pirate ship and battles that barrel towards the inevitable sugary conclusion.
Some action scenes are very well executed while others veer on the dull side. The swashbuckling takes too long and a good 30 minutes could have been shaved off this film. After an initially entertaining cat and mouse game between Depp and anyone in his path, the move degenerates into standard summer fare with little exception. The playful swordplay between Depp and Bloom is energetic and entertaining as is the scene where the skeleton/pirates crawl up the sides of the ship underwater. But part of the problem is that they don't seem that scary and the whole gimmick of moonlight showing that the cursed pirates are skeletons didn't induce lots of fear, at least in this adult. Disney doesn't mind using adult themes, though, when they play to its advantage. In one scene Depp and the girl are alone on a stranded island and though he mildly tries to come on to her, what's funnier is watching them get totally wasted on rum, Captain Morgan style. Alcohol! In a Disney movie! This was more shocking than watching a character get his eye poked out with a fork. What manages to stave off depression during the super size action scenes is the very witty and hilarious dialogue-and in particular Depp's and Rush's delivery of it.
Depp is in his glory here as he creates a pirate that's part Keith Richards, part Captain Morgan, and part Boy George during the heydey of the Culture Club. From the moment he swaggers onto the pier, he's a joy to watch. The sun hits his gold teeth just right and he knows that having fun with a part like this is what keeps it tolerable. From the river rat he played in Chocolat to the gypsy in The Man Who Cried, these roles fit him like a well braided goatee. As young lovers, Orlando Bloom and Keira Knightly turn out fine, if limited, performances as their blossoming love is not as important as the explosions. Geoffrey Rush looks happy cashing that fat check and Jonathan Pryce plays the governor with the same sappy quality he gave in his portrayal of dictator Perón in Evita.
Swashbuckling entertainment? Sure. And as Chicago may well have brought back the musical, this film might usher in new pirate tales. In the end, though, there are no truly memorable scenes, no flood of emotion, nothing to take back home. And that's the Curse of Disney (and the other studios too) in Summertime.
Anji Milanovic
 Pirates of the Caribbean 2: Dead Man's Chest
Movie Reviews: American Films
Reviews 2012 - present
Reviews 1998 - 2012
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