Lots to get your head around, but totally worth it

Rating: 9/10 (16 June 2015)

At World's End is easily my favourite of the original POTC trilogy - and that's saying something, because i LOVED Curse of the Black Pearl. Yes, there's an awful lot of interwoven plot points that are easy to get tangled up in, but every time you watch it becomes clearer, and you pick up on things you never noticed the last time.
I loved that they kept the moral ambiguity on nearly everyone - especially the Pirates - because although it's obvious who the ultimate bad guy is (Beckett), it's not immediately obvious who is allied with who at what point against them. Every character, with the exception of Beckett and his ilk, seems to have something that questions whether they are good, evil or just caught up in it all. Take Jones for example, exposing his vulnerability really softened his character and you almost feel sympathy for a heartbroken man. Almost - until you remind yourself what he has become. Also Will's slightly sneaky streak makes you wonder if he's actually the same likable blacksmith from COTBP.
What I would change...in a slight contradiction to that entire paragraph, I'd absolutely remove some of the ambiguity from the ending surrounding Mr and Mrs Turner. I get that Will was always going to end up as Captain of the Dutchman, Tia Dalma said as much in Dead Man's Chest, but they really ought to have included the scene that clarifies whether or not he is free after ten years (because Elizabeth remained faithful and he did his duty), or bound for eternity. I guess the ambiguity has afforded them more options in bringing Will Turner back in for Dead Men Tell No Tales, but to me it seems an awfully bleak ending any way you slice it (intentional Sparrow quote, sorry not sorry). It's all well and good having ambiguous characters, but not entire film endings, especially ones that were meant to be the final installment of a trilogy.
Other notable point, this movie has perhaps my favourite score for a live action film ever, courtesy of Hans Zimmer. I'd say overall best movie score, but Zimmer was also responsible for The Lion King and therefore I absolutely cannot choose! It is rare (honest) that a particular movie scene moves me to tears every time I watch it, but Will and Elizabeth's One Day does it, as does Mufasa's death.
To sum up, this film may confuse the crap out of you at times, but stick with it and look for little details.