Spectacular!

Rating: 8/10 (26 May 2007)

Although I may be partially biased in my rating of this film because I LOVE the series, I must say that I was genuinely impressed. My only real doubt is how they will top it in the upcoming sequel that is, of course, inevitable. The film opens, much like the others, with a chilly, grey scene of a mass hanging overseen by the tyrannical Lord Beckett, but a sword-fight in a Singapore bathhouse between Chinese pirate lords and our heroes (Jack being temporarily replaced by the compellingly devilish Barbossa) soon thrusts the film into action. Viewers will be stunned, cheer, scream, be confused (mostly about the happenings in the parallel world of the dead that is Davy Jones' locker) and, quite possibly, cry from all that is put into this mind-boggling third epic. The focus of the series moves even further from Jack, who continues to engage more in buffoonery, although thankfully less. Previously Jack was the focus of the film as well as the character whose antics give the film some of its appeal and hold it together, but now, after briefly stopping for heroic, adorable Will, the focus has now shifted towards Elizabeth, who makes an impressive and welcome transition from beautiful damsel in distress to still-pretty Pirate Queen who is totally capable of kicking her fair share of ass. This is one second sequel that totally delivers everything expected! But the adventure continues on...