More of a kids movie really.

Rating: 4/10 (29 May 2007)

I don't dislike Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End so much as I don't think the filmmakers bothered even trying to make a good movie. Instead, they were content to deliver the same formulaic entertainment that the first two movies had. And although they succeed in this, the result is missing the charm of the original and to a lesser degree of the first sequel.
I think At World's End's most significant weakness is its script. It moves very slowly at times, it's often confusing and it's afraid to try anything new for fear that the audience won't like it. With a movie this silly it's disappointing that it doesn't explore some of the crazier ideas a bit further. Calypso was a bore compared to the Kraken from the previous film. Johnny Depp was wasted as his character ends up in situations we've already seen him in and his reactions are predictable.
If it wasn't for the mediocre script, At World's End could have been excellent. The special effects are great, most of the acting is top-notch (except for Bloom and Knightley - I think their inexperience shows), the action is well-choreographed, the directing is decent, but it's all wasted.
Another problem was that At World's End seemed to be going for a serious tone at times even though I found the drama laughable. If it had embraced its silliness rather than pretending to be a well made multi-genre movie, it might have worked. As it is, it's big loud predictable entertainment with nothing new to offer.