The Basics: This is the movie that made pirates look cool. Based on a theme park ride, the movie was an unexpected success. The script was written off of the ride in 2001, then was later re-written and tweaked through 2003. The result being the movie that millions of people have come to love and now consider a classic. This film is directed by Gore Verbinski, who also helmed 'The Ring', 'Rango', and the lesser known 'Mouse Hunt'. With producer Jerry Bruckhiemer and actors like Johnny Depp, Geoffrey Rush, Orlando Bloom, and Kiera Knightley, I'm not sure how the film could have not been a success.
Plot: The plot for this movie had potential for being quite awful, more so than other films because it is based off a stinking ride. What could have been total crap was actually pretty good. You can read some plot summaries here, I'm not going to waste time with it because this is a review, not a synopsis. There is a fair amount of twists and turns that keep it moving and reasonably unpredictable. Although it does rip some pretty generic plot points, most films are going to have to. The film has been criticized for being too long, but I don't mind it in the least. The movie never hit a point where I was disconnected enough from it to wonder how much runtime is left. The screenplay is solid, and the plot is entertaining.
Acting: The acting and the characters are probably the best part about this movie; in fact, it is probably what makes the franchise as a whole successful. Johnny Depp's character (the now infamous Captain Jack Sparrow) is the bread and butter of the whole thing. Can you even hear the word 'pirate' and not think of Captain Jack? The character is totally original and is very developed. You will like Jack Sparrow from his very first moments in the film, in which he walks onto a dock from the crow's nest of a sinking ship. He is funny, witty, and is very likeable. Good job Johnny Depp. Geoffrey, Kiera, and Orlando's characters are almost just as good in their own ways, but aren't quite as skillful. Rush's character is kind of a stereotypical pirate, while Bloom and Knightley occupy the love interest as well as the 'damsel in distress' and the 'rescuer' parts in the story. Conclusively, the acting was great and the characters are very memorable.
Effects: This movie had a huge budget of $140 million. The special effects are awesome. There are lots of cool action/adventure set pieces and locations. The costumes and makeup are all great. The ships they use are real, and are really neat looking. The best special effect, however, is obviously the undead corpses of the cursed pirates. This movie was released in 2003 and you wouldn’t say a thing about how the CGI looks if it were released today. My favorite scene is a sword fighting sequence between Depp and Rush in which the two move in and out of the moon light, which reveals their undead form. The scene is very well done and is one of my favorite parts to watch. Great special effects? Check.
Additional Comments: Not much else to touch on except one thing. Although this is a Disney movie, it might not be great for young children. Sounds wierd to say that, but it's true. This was one of the first (with many to follow) PG-13 rated Disney films. The zombies can be scary and there is blood. There is also mild/moderate sexual innuendo and alcohol consumption.
Conclusion: The movie is fantastic and is loved by many. All the elements of a good film are here and they are well executed. The characters and story are not easily forgotten, and you will likely find yourself wanting to return to this world again soon. Disney upholds its reputation for great movies that can be enjoyed by kids and adults alike.
Buy, rent, or pass?
Buy-This movie is good for lots of re-watches. It is entertaining as child and it is entertaining as an adult. The years do little to diminish this movie’s appeal.
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