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Pirates of The Carribean: The Curse of The Black Pearl (2003)

Pirates of The Carribean: The Curse of The Black Pearl
A surprise visit to the set by Keith Richards gives Johnny Depp an idea . . .

Starring:

Orlando Bloom
Johnny Depp
Keira Knightley
Geoffrey Rush

Released By:

Buena Vista

Released In:

2003

Rated:

PG

Reviewed By:

Adam Mast

Grade:

B+


For me, the idea of a movie based on the famed Disneyland ride had danger written all over it. I've been to Disneyland hundreds of times and the Pirates of the Carribean attraction has always been one of my favorites. With the recent release of the bizarre Country Bears, I feared the worst. This is to say nothing of the dreaded Curse of the Bad Pirate Movie. There have been a few pirate films made in the past twenty years, and none have come remotely close to capturing the swashbuckling heroics on display in the movies of Errol Flynn.

Happily, The Curse of the Black Pearl has emerged as one of the most entertaining movies of the summer, helping me erase Roman Polanski's overbloated Pirates and Renny Harlin's dismal Cutthroat Island from my memory. Yes, Pirates of the Carribean gets it right where those pictures went horribly wrong.

In the rousing swashbuckler, Orlando Bloom plays a young, adventure seeking man who teams with pirate Johnny Depp to save the woman he's loved since childhood. It won't be easy, as the young lady has been kidnapped by a pack of vicious pirates led by a villainous Geoffrey Rush. And in a grand twist, there is a ghost story surrounding Rush and his crew.

Pirates of the Carribean is great fun, and while it does capture the spirit of the Disneyland ride (there's a great homage early on in the picture), it really works because of Johnny Depp who dazzles the audience with an original, zany, and all too brilliant turn as Jack Sparrow. This is comic genius from an actor who's never really gotten the recognition he deserves. Not only does he create a picture perfect pirate, but he nails the dialect and acts with every fiber of his body. It's been reported that this terrific performer drew inspiration from Keith Richards noting; "Pirates were the rock n' rollers of their time." With this performance I think Mr. Depp may have bagged himself an Oscar nomination, and while this may not appeal to the reclusive yet passionate actor, he's completely deserving. All this praise for Depp, is not to suggest that there aren't other great performances to mention here as well. Rush is outstanding as the villain, and plays his role with absolute glee. Orlando Bloom is fine but he is certainly upstaged by the lead pirates, as is Keira Knightley as the damsel in distress.

The Curse of the Black Pearl was directed with a keen eye by Gore Verbinski whose previous outing was the effective horror film The Ring. There is much attention paid to mood and atmosphere in his take on this pirate adventure, and even though some of the sword fights seem a tad excessive, Verbinski more than delivers. There are sweeping shots of ships at sea, brilliant special effects (most notably the sequences in which the pirates' true identities are revealed when their bodies are bathed in moonlight), massive sword duels and a light romantic touch.

If I have one complaint, it's that Curse of the Black Pearl is a little too long. Thankfully, Depp makes every extra inch of this picture worth watching. This is yet another amazing piece of work from an actor whose career has been about quality, rather than exorbitant paychecks.

Ultimately, this big, lavish Jerry Bruckheimer production is everything Bad Boys 2 isn't - fun! On a side note, attendees of Curse of the Black Pearl were treated to a sneak peak at yet another adaptation of a Disneyland ride, The Haunted Mansion. Surprisingly, the trailer suggests that they've captured the spirit of the attraction. My only fear is that star Eddie Murphy will be a huge distraction. We'll see this holiday season.

:: zBoneman.com Reader Comments ::

Waggie

Waggie

I love this film!I like Johnny Depp! I like pirates, I like jokes, I like marbles, I like pie, I like baby ducks and oh yeah I want to fuck Keira Knightley.

MONTESS VILCHEZ

MONTESS VILCHEZ

EXCELLENT MOVIE MY FAVORITE MOVIE I HAVE EVER SEEN. IT HAS THE BEST THEME STORY, SETTING, COSTUMES, ACTORS, JOHNNY DEPP'S BEST WORK YET. AND THIS MOVIE HAS AMAZING VISUAL EFFECTS. THIS MOVIE IS ONE I COULD WATCH OVER AND OVER AGAIN. AND BELIEVE ME I HAVE. GORE BREVINSKI DID A GREAT JOB ON THIS MOVIE.THE ACTING WAS LIKE A TEENAGER SPEAKING, IT HAD THE RIGHT AMOUNT OF ROMANCE, CHILLS AND THRILLS,AND COOL MUSIC, AND FIGHTING SCENE AND NOT TO MENTION HOTT ACTORS. I GIVE THIS MOVIE AN A+++++++++++

Whitney

Whitney

I love Johnny Depp i know that i sound like every other girl in america when i say that! But the whole reason for watching the movie is for him and orlando bloom! More guys should wear eyeliner! Whitney Bailey, Colorado age 13

Paddy

Paddy

I LOVE the pirates, Johnny Depp and Orlando Bloom. I bet you hear this alot, but oh well! They are the highlites of the movie, and I can't wait for more Pirates of The carribbean!

lauren

lauren

I thought Pirates of the Carribean movie was a great movie. My favorite characters are Johnny Depp- captain Jack Sparrow and Orlando Bloom- Will. I think the movie is kinda sad and kinda funny. It was sad when jack came and told will that Elizabeth was getting married cause he liked her alot. It was funny when Jack first came onto the screen when his little ship was sinking. So it was a great movie i think. I bought it the day it came out on dvd. I am hoping to get the 2nd and 3rd one as well if there is gonna be one.

Qwencie Barnett

Qwencie Barnett

I thought that the movie was great. It was full of suprises. I hope the second one is better than the first.

carla sutton

carla sutton

I really liked watching Pirates of the Carribean it's aces - hope every1 else enjoyed wating it.

SAG Awards announced

SAG Awards announced

Ok, this is a total shock. At the Screen Actors Guild awards last night, Johnny Depp beat out Sean Penn to take the Best Actor award. I'm not saying this is undeserved, but I'm stunned. I can't believe the Guild gave the award to an actor who played in a light adventure/comedy. Congtrats to Depp! Does this mean we should take him more seriously as a possible winner next Sunday at the Oscars?

Other winners were Charlize Theron (best actress) for Monster, Tim Robbins (supporting actor) for Mystic River, and Renee Zellweger (supporting actress) for Cold Mountain.

The SAG's equivalent to "Best Picture" is the award to best ensemble cast. That award (surprise surprise) went to Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.

Rachel Mayo

Rachel Mayo

This movie was the best i've ever seen ever in my life. there are some familiar scenes from the ride and the whole curse thing was the twist to the ride. i've recently heard of a sequel for this movie and i hope that the sequel will do as great as this movie. i would definetly recommend Pirates of the Carribean: the Curse of the Black Pearl to everyone. if ypu like Johnny Depp, you will love this movie.iwould give this movie an A+ because if you are looking for humor and excitement, this is the movie for you. the actors are very good, even Geoffry Rush was good as the villian. he made the part of the villian the best part of any movie....... ttfn

Sandy

Sandy

Excellent movie!! Johnny Depp played his part fantastically from the very first scene and he only got better as the movie went along. I think that I might cry if I were to hear that I would never be able to see him as Jack Sparrow again. He gave that character SUCH life.

Of course Geoffrey Rush was at his usual best. Orlando Bloom and Keira Knightley were great and it must have been hard for them to try keeping up with Johnny and Geoffrey but they did great. I watched the movie 3 times in the first 2 days I had it and it is a ritual now. I need my Jack Sparrow fix!

kyle mountford

kyle mountford

This movie is funner than going to Disneyland

dawn dixon

dawn dixon

brillant! Depp is and the crew are excellent, lets hope theres a sequel!

Carrie and Naomi

Carrie and Naomi

Orlando Bloom is hot orlando bloom is hot orlando bloom is hot orlando bloom is hot orlando bloom is hot orlando bloom is hot orlando bloom is hot orlando bloom is hot

Anonymous Coward

Anonymous Coward

My Love Captain Jack Sparrow.

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