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260 Reviews
Not quite up to par with the first, however a great fil
Alright, the first movie was awesome! It brought back to life what Disney can do for family viewing. Growing up in the days of ol' time movies being rerun on the Disney Channel, I grew to love Disney very much. With classics like Old Yeller, Summer Magic, Swiss Family Robbinson and the like, I loved family type movies with no gross nudity, a story line that is not only enchanting, but also engrossing and will keep you on your toes.
Now, with the second "Pirate's" movie of the trilogy having just come out on DVD today, I just had to go out and rent it. (My husband though had the ending ruined for him when his manager accidentally told him what happens just a mere three days before it's release.) So, I got to the store to ensure that we got a copy (no problem there, still over 60 copies when I left--with 200 for Miami Vice gathering dust, ha!) I rushed home, the excitement on his face! We put it on as soon as our PS2 stopped being a punk and started playing, and with many "shhhs!" to our 4 year old, we were able to watch the movie.
We loved the first movie. We thought it was funny, greatly casted and even to this day we spout many of our favorite lines from the movie. "Why's the rum gone?" The sequel however falls short slightly. Don't get me wrong, we both really really liked it. Some of the fight scenes were just awesome; choreographed perfectly, the visual effects up to par with other great films as Titanic (think of the switchover of the ship from Rose's retelling and then the shots of it underwater) and the Matrix trilogy.
However, even though the film is supposed to leave you knowing there's a third coming, it seemed short. Yes, it's 150 minutes long, but the story dragged at times so when you got to the ending, you were hopping it would continue. I guess they wanted that so you can't wait for the 3rd and rush out and see it. Just keep that in mind as it ends, that there is more to come.
I'm just glad it's not like the Harry Potter series where it's years between films. Pirates of the Caribbean 3: At World's End is to come out in the summer. I'm sure I'll be back with a movie review of it for ya.
*****- for cast *****-for scenery and visuals ****-for story ******-for Johnny DeppRead full review...
Yo Ho Ho, It's A Pirate's Life For All Of Us
I was told once that if you threw enough darts, you'd hit the bullseye at least once. Perhaps this was Disney's approach with their "movie-based-upon-an-attraction" streak as of late.
You look back at a few of the toilet gems that Disney has given us (Country Bears, Haunted Mansion) and you might say to yourself "Cripes, why don't you quit trying to get a purse from a sow's flabby backside?".
Of course, all that changes once a little actor named Johnny Depp found the character of Captain Jack Sparrow and truly made it his own.
Pirates Of The Carribean 2: Dead Man's Chest is not a great piece of storytelling or a showcase from Oscar winning performances (of course, I had no such expectations). What we do get in this film is what made the first film so enjoyable: little bursts of fun that make you wish you could be the one strutting around on an old ship with an eyepatch and a cutlass at your side.
This time around, Captain Jack Sparrow discovered that his debt to Davy Jones is being called in and he goes on the run from the terror from the depths in a mad search of a way to weasle out of the deal. That is the story in a nutshell, but it is easilly lost and made complicated by the script attemtping to give almost every major and minor chracter reasonable screne time. I'm not saying that it is not an enjoyable effort, but most of my friends and family took a few viewings of the film to figure out what was going on.
There are a few performances that really bring this film up a notch. I have to mention Johnny Depp, since you can tell that he is really having a lot of fun playing Captain Jack Sparrow and he holds nothing back when he is on the screen. I also enjoyed Naomie Harris, who played Tia Dalma a.k.a The Voodoo Lady. She really added to the feel of the film and played wonderfully off the rest of the cast.
However, there is one performance that I personally felt stood above the others and that is of Stellan Skarsgård a.k.a Bootstrap Bill. Stellan really sold me on the pain and suffering he experienced after signing on with Davy Jones crew. As well, he also projected quite well Bootstrap's love for his sun, Will Turner.
The special effects were nice, but really didnt "wow" me. I know a lot of people raved about Davy Jones and his crew, but I didn't consider it too much of a feat (even after watching a few "how they did it" specials on the subject). The scenery was average as well, but I think all this will change in the next film when the crew heads to World's End to search for Captain Jack Sparrow.
In the end, I'd recommend this film if you're looking for an enjoyable adventure movie and a great Johnny Depp performance. Be warned, however, that this film is somewhat dark and there are some parts that may frighten small children.Read full review...
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest Movie Review
Repulsive looking Davy Jones but Captain Jack is still a Charmer
I'm a big Johnny Depp fan and a BIG Captain Jack Sparrow Fan (I even have a Captain Jack Sparrow T-shirt I wear all the time). This being the case, I don't think it would've been possible for me not to have liked Pirates of the Caribbean Dead Man's Chest at all. However, I was hoping to come away from the movie just as excited about it, as I was after seeing Pirates of the Caribbean Curse of the Black Pearl, but I wasn't. The sequel fell short of the originality and nonstop excitement we got in the first.
The biggest disappointment in Dead Man's Chest is the character of Davy Jones played by Bill Nighy. It seems ironic that Jack Sparrow's character was a sure sign of genius and ingenuity from the creative mind of Johnny Depp, and is what made Pirates of the Caribbean the phenomenon it is today. Yet in the sequel, someone came up with a repulsive looking Davy Jones who is half man/half sea creature. He had the characteristics of cross-between a Star Wars and Lord of the Rings monster with eyes befitting a mass murderer from some horror flick. I found it difficult to look at the screen when there were close-ups of him, which was often. Bootstrap Bill's character, played by Stellan Skarsgård wasn't as bad, but unimpressive as well. He looked like some kind of freak in a costume someone would throw together on Halloween night.
Other than a few characters missing, the cast from Curse of Black Pearl was in Dead Man's Chest and it was enjoyable to see an ensemble of the old delightfully original and charismatic characters again.
As for Captain Jack Sparrow, well as can be expected he was the star of the show; however, Depp appeared to play the character with less flamboyance and animation this time around. I wondered if Depp might have enjoyed pretending to be a real-life pirate more in Curse of the Black Pearl than he did in Dead Man's Chest. The thrill of it all might have faded just a bit, which wouldn't be hard to understand considering Johnny Depp's apparent need for unusual, offbeat and eccentric roles.
The best part of the Pirates of the Caribbean Dead Man's Chest is the ending which makes you leave the theater wishing the Part III sequel was playing the next day. There is an unexpected twist that will keep you wondering how it will play out in the sequel.
Bottom line... Is it worth seeing? Yes. Is it as good as the first? Unfortunately not. Will I see Part III? You bet!
Written and Posted by meeshmiami
Originally written on August 2, 2006
Posted to eBay August 25, 2007Read full review...
A little too over the top this time.
The special effects were outstanding as usual. The story line was OK too but stretched a bit too far into fantasy then stayed there. The plot was lame and led way too obviously into what we all know is going to be a sequel. So that left the movie without an ending. The only things that saved this movie was the vast amount of action, the captivating special effects and the return of the main characters/actors from the first movie. Not as good as the original in my opinion. Same plot as original movie only going after the dead man's chest instead of Aztec gold, just diluted the plot to near nothing.
The bottom line: If you're looking for a deep plot and inticing story line you'll be sadly disappointed. If it's mindless, flashy special effects and swashbuckling action that you seek you'll be entertained.Read full review...
Pirates of the Caribbean - Dead man's Chest
If you like fun movies, a touch (just a touch) scary, funny, campy, odd characters, pirates, good guys, bad guys, and some that don't fit either category - this is definitely the movie for you! It is almost impossible to take seriously, but you are still pulled into the movie enough to totally block out your 'real' surrounding while the movie is running. There are some goofs, and if you are the type to look for them, you'll have a blast finding them. But watch it through first just for the fun. You can go back later to pick it apart for the minor bits. It IS a lot of fun, and you can spend an afternoon or evening just letting go and taking a short vacation. This is an excellent sequel, and they've left it WIDE OPEN for a third film. I wonder when.... Hmmmmm. Just get this one and enjoy!Read full review...
Do you fear death? Do you fear that dark abyss? All you
Although not as dark as it sounds, Dead Man's Chest delivers the goods and hints at many more adventures to come. I don't know if the Pirates writing crew is making this up as they go along or if they have a vision, but this film certainly hinted at a much broader vision of things to come with numerous references to past battles, loves lost, and hearts kept under lock and key. It is a much more encompassing movie than was The Curse of the Black Pearl, but it is much more loose in structure. Verbinski keeps the action going despite what is a pretty complicated set of stories, more or less interwoven together but ultimately left unresolved. Johnny Depp may get top billing but it is Orlando Bloom who takes the lead in this movie, holding his own against sea-monsters and the King's men alike. With nothing more to go on than the image of a key, Will Turner and Captain Jack Sparrow are reunited (sort of) in an attempt to unlock a chest that offers a strange treasure indeed. Keira Knightley is reduced to a stowaway, with some memorable scenes, but not as big a role as she had in The Black Pearl. Bill Nighy steals the show as the incredible Davy Jones, a half man/half sea monster that draws on Captain Nemo more than the Flying Dutchman, but develops a troubled dark soul all his own. Naomie Harris makes for a fetching Voodoo Queen who ultimately unlocks the secret of this adventure, aiding Captain Jack and crew on their dark voyage. Jack Davenport returns as Norrington, a much more compelling character this time around than he was in The Black Pearl. Having fallen from grace, he completes the triangle that makes for some pretty tense action, especially in the closing scenes.
Be warned that Dead Man's Chest is an open ended movie, setting up what promises to be a thrilling third installment to Pirates of the Caribbean. Not only that, it hints at possible prequels because it covers so much territory in this sprawling movie that it leaves you craving for much more.Read full review...
POTC2 great adventure
Will and Elizabeth's marriage has been interrupted by the monopolizing East India Tea Company. Their only hope to avoid the hangman's noose is to find Captain Jack's wacky compass. And Jack is looking for someone to give him a clear heading from his wacky compass.And Commander Norington is trying to regain his command and respect. It is time for Jack to pay the piper so to speak as he owes Davey Jones his soul for being Captain of the Black Pearl for 13 years. He needs his compass to find the box containing Davey Jones Heart so he can control Davy Jones so Captain Jones does not call out the dreaded Cracken which devours ships. All in all they romp from Island to Island fighting off cannibals and seeing visionaries, Ms. Tia. This movie solves the mystery of Jack's ardent amorous desires for Elizabeth which surfaced at the end of the first movie when Jack told Elizabeth that " It would never work between us Darling" when Elizabeth plants a betraying kiss upon Jacks lips and Will caught them in the embrace. Barbosa is resurrected by the monkey and will play a role in finding Jack and the Black Pearl in the next movie. POTC3 due out in May 2007. If you are fans of the characters and the actorsthen this movie is a must have. There is a version that comes with Pirate songs and there is a version with a movie commentary throughout the entire movie as well as Bloopers and of course Johnny is famous for his flatus jokes and he excuses himself on one of the bloopers.
Lots of fun. I would say for ages pre-teen about 12 and up.Read full review...
One of the Best Trilogy's Written
Like most trilogy's out there, three movies can be a bit much at times. Arguably, this could be said about the "Pirates" movies. If that is true, bear in mind that this is one of the most well-written movie series ever created. Everything, and I mean everything is there for a reason. The writer's left nothing unresolved, dangling or purposeless. The effects or unbelievably good, the characters are the ones you grew to love in the first one and Bill Nighy (Davy Jones), gives a fantastic performance. The writer's also keep the characters true to who they are. There is no "Hollywood-izing" of relationships or personal character. They are who they are as the story, and their lives, wind through a maze of fantastical events. Where a "Back to the Future II" was merely a bridge/lead in to its third installment, Pirates II is a stand-alone film as well as a lead in to III. Again, it can a little detail-heavy at points, but stay with the dialogue and the adventure. It is truly a film to see more than once and you'll enjoy it each timeRead full review...
Very enjoyable!
It didn't *rock* like the first one but then it seemed to be somewhat dependent on the first one's "steam" (classic "sequel syndrome"). Johnny walked through his role and the only exciting Johnny parts were the chemistry he had with Keira. Hot, hot, hot, those little zzzzt sparks that would occur here and there. The special effects were fantastic and even a jaded ol' movie viewer like me who'se like seen it all, was impressed. The movie *overall* was fun and a no-miss.Read full review...
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I have vague memories watching this one on DVD a few years ago and being thoroughly unimpressed. I remember the fight on the wheel being good, but that was about it. Well, I can honestly say that I enjoyed the film a lot more the second time around as on this viewing (with watching the original yesterday) I knew who all of the characters were, and that made it a LOT more watchable.
Oh don't get me wrong, this film is not a patch on the first movie, and it still feels like a very long setup for the third film (I say that, but I have not watched the third one, that is just an assumption on my part) I'm not sure why the movie was not as good as the first, maybe it is because the main three characters are not onscreen as a trio for the majority of the film, or maybe it's because the movie as a whole is about thirty minutes too long, but I am leaning towards it's because the film has lost a lot of the action/excitement and fun that was bursting out of the original. In fact, when you hit the island scene near the end of the movie (with the battle on the wheel) it reminds you what was so good about the first movie and what is sorely lacking from the second.
It doesn't help that the whole middle part of the film, pretty much drags with no action and all special effects (which look amazing by the way) as you watch Davy Jones and his crew wander around in full CGI mode. To be honest, it looks SO good, you start to take the prettiness for granted, and that may not be a good thing.
So, one more part of the trilogy to go, hopefully it will be an improvement over this section. Needs more sword fighting!Read full review...