CORPORATE LINE: Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) returns to the screen for another round of supernatural adventures on the high seas in this spirited sequel to the 2003 Disney hit, which re-teams original director Gore Verbinski with original screenwriters Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio. As Will (Orlando Bloom) and Elizabeth (Keira Knightley) prepare to exchange vows at the alter, their wedding plans hit rough waters with the arrival of sea-bound scallywag Jack Sparrow. It seems that Sparrow owes a substantial blood debt to Scottish sea captain Davy Jones (Bill Nighy), and that the only way for the flamboyant sea rover to elude the wrath of his otherworldy pursuer is to seek the aid of Gypsy queen Tia Dalma (Naomie Harris), whose power to resurrect the dead and gaze into the future may provide just the advantage needed to avoid a waterlogged fate in the locker of his legendary nemesis.
THE REVIEW: It goes without saying that Dead Man’s Chest starts where the last film ended–Will and Elizabeth are getting married and Jack is up to his eyeballs in trouble.
There are aspects of the film that are better and parts that are worse. The better has to do with the effects. It’s hard to imagine that this version could look better than the first—but it does. Dead Man’s Chest is a gorgeous movie and vivid enough to let viewers get caught up in every ounce of its majesty. Most of Dead Man’s Chest is CG and it doesn’t matter as the creepy squid-man Davy Jones and crew are brilliantly created. There isn’t a moment where you ever think for a moment how everything is make-believe.
Depp once again steals the show. It’s as if you can feel the writers having a blast writing his silly lines—better yet Depp does a great job delivering them. And then there are the roles of Bloom and Knightley. Knightley isn’t nearly as dull as Bloom.
As with the first film, Dead Man’s Chest is overlong. The difference with Dead Man’s Chest is that the beginning needs to be cut down whereas the first movie chased its tale all the way until the end.
FRANKLY: Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest isn’t nearly as good as the first—then again it doesn’t have to be. Dead Man’s Chest is still exciting and a great way to spend an evening. It’s hard to imagine either of these film’s without Deep. Deep deserves an Oscar for not only being a great actor, but saving a movie that would have been average without him.
+ Charlie Craine
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