Tuesday, February 16, 2010

221. Pirates of the Caribbean : The Curse of the Black Pearl

Pirates of the Caribbean : The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003)

Director: Gore Verbinski

Starring: Johnny Depp
Keira Knightly
Geoffrey Rush
Orlando Bloom

IMDb Rating: 8
My Rating: 8

"This is the day you will remember as the day you almost caught Captain Jack Sparrow."



Yar, this be a film the likes you land lovers has never seen. Arg! Okay enough of that...

Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) has just arrived to Port Royal searching for a new ship. Before he knows it, he finds himself rescuing the governors daughter, Elizabeth Swann (Keira Knightly) from drowning. Even though a hero of the moment, Jack is still a pirate and is ordered to be arrested. He evades capture and takes refuge in the blacksmith shop where Will Turner (Orlando Bloom) is an apprentice swords builder. Will soon notices Jack's presence and the two engage in an exciting sword fight. The fight is pretty even, until the owner of the blacksmith shop knocks Jack unconscious. Jack is then put in jail and set for hanging the next day.

That very same night, Port Royal is attacked by Captain Barbosa (Geoffrey Rush) and the crew of the Black Pearl, which happens to be the former ship of Jack. Barbosa was alerted when Elizabeth fell into the water, and the pirate medallion around her neck sent out a call to him. When Elizabeth is captured she lies to Barbosa about her last name to conceal her true identity. Barbosa believes that she may be the key to unlocking an age old curse on the himself and his crew. Will soon hears of Elizabeth's capture and persuades Jack Sparrow to help him save her. Jack agrees with his own personal agenda in mind. The two then assemble their own crew of pirates and set out on the adventure of a lifetime.

Pirates of the Caribbean is one of those rare occasions where we get to see an "icon" born before our very eyes. The character of Jack Sparrow is to children and pop-culture what Indiana Jones was to myself growing up. Johnny Depp gives us a hilarious and charming pirate that you cannot help but love. Even when he turns his back on his friends, you kind of give him a pass. The one-liners are all instant classics and are so constant, that you can't catch them all of the first viewing. Depp has said that the character is a fusing of cartoon skunk Pepe le Peu and Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards. While that might be true, it's obvious that Depp's Jack Sparrow is one of the cinema's great iconic characters.

Where Depp's performance does stick out, the remaining cast members are also superb. Geoffrey Rush gives us one of best grizzled stereotypical pirates, complete with "yars" and all sorts of pirate nonsense. Every great hero needs his great villain, and Captain Barbosa compliments Captain Sparrow perfectly. Pirates was also the major launching point for Orlando Bloom and Keira Knightly. Both had been in previous film, but Pirates gave them the roles that shot them both to superstar status. Bloom and Knightly also give very solid performances in the film as the destined soul mates Will Turner and Elizabeth Swann. Pirates is definitely a performance showcase, as the talent assembled is of excellent quality.

The film technically speaking is a marvel, whether it be the amazing soundtrack or incredible special effects. The music for the film by Klaus Badelt is epic in size, yet fits the material perfectly. There is rarely a wrong feeling piece in the entire picture. The special effects still hold up rather well, especially the flesh covered skeletons. Also, the ships looks incredibly authentic. When the Black Pearl shows up for the first time with its black sails and menacing aura it sends a chill down your spine. The technical aspects of Pirates hold up just as strong as the acting and story.

I remember the summer when Pirates of the Caribbean was released in theaters. The general public was going absolutely crazy over it. I remember it being one of the few "summer movies" that not only entertained, but was actually a very strong film. I am glad to say that seven years later, nothing has changed. The characters, story, and special effects have stood the test of time and will be a few of the reasons that Pirates will be viewed as an adventure classic. My only complaint is that is does drag a little at times, although it might just seem that way due to all the excitement the other scenes hold. If you are looking for a laugh out loud fun and exciting film, there are few that satisfy like Pirates of the Caribbean.


1 comment:

  1. I never understood why Keira Knightly didn't suffer from the same "fate" as the Pirates on the Black Pearl?

    Capt Jack uses one of the main plot devices for his own use ... why wasn't Ms. Swan similarly affected during her life?

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