Movie Review for Pirates of the Caribbean (2003)

Directed by: Gore Verbinski
Starring: Johnny Depp, Geoffrey Rush, Orlando Bloom, Keira Knightley
Rated: PG-13
Runs: 143 min

Jack Sparrow (Depp) is a character who is hard to like and hard to dislike at the same time, which makes watching the movie all the more fun. At one moment you may doubt his actions, but the next you might find yourself confirming that indeed he is more than a mere savage pirate. His constant swaying motion is undoubtedly a bit peculiar, but then again it gives him that 'Sparrow'-ness that you can hardly find in any other film character. The constant reference to the 'Code' and how it ends up just serving as a 'guideline' is creative. The film describes how pirates under the guidance of Captain Barbossa, invading a port city and taking with them someone they think is Ms. Elizabeth Turner (who is really the Elizabeth Swann, daughter of Governor Weatherby Swann), believe that her blood and the gold pendant of Cortez she has will vindicate and anull the curse that prevents the pirates from death. However, only after they arrive at the treasure and replace the pendant and shed a bit of her blood do they realise that she isn't the person they need. The one they need is Will Turner (Bloom), blacksmith (and also, even though he doesn't realise it, son of pirate Bootstrap Bill and a pirate himself) and the man who's set out to save Ms. Turner/Swann with the help of an unlikely guide, Captain (pirate) Jack Sparrow of the Black Pearl. I was rather surprised at the way the Curse was presented in the form of pirates transforming into skeletons, but it was an ingenious concept nonetheless. I just wonder whatever happens to the Commodore in the end. It's a movie that I wouldn't be surprised if a sequel were to appear anytime soon, and I'd give it a hearty 9 of 10 for great performance and a plot that never ceases to pleasantly surprise. Recommended for all audiences except those who don't like skeletons fighting. Yo, ho, ho, ho a pirate's life for me!

Written on Thursday, September 23 at 7:54 PM