Going Out With a Bang!

Rating: 10/10 (27 May 2007)

Brilliant! Fantastic! Superb! Satisfying! Okay, I may sound completely like a biased fan but it is my own true personal opinion on Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End. My comment may contain spoilers (nothing major but little hints) so to those who haven't watched the movie, be warned. Savvy? Anyways, on to my actual comment. With lots of action-packed scenes and dreamy romantic moments complete with the wrapping of unique Pirates hilarity, this movie (though not as good as the first one) is better than I ever dreamed it would be. In my opinion, not many trilogies are successful (the only one probably being the Lord of the Rings) but Pirates deserves an applause. However, to fully enjoy the movie, it is essential that you know the plot and characters introduced in Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest. Otherwise, be prepared to be lost as sea as the movie can be complicated with plot twists and turns, all of which are the continuation of Pirates 2.
That aside, this movie is at the core what a final movie in a trilogy should be: the loose-end tie-er. Pacing of plot in the movie is very well done (not as densely packed as the second movie), leaving enough time and space for fantastic character development, especially Will, Elizabeth and Jack. However, do not be mistaken that it is slow-paced. With the canvas of an all out war, this movie is anything but slow-paced. In fact, it is the most action-packed of all three. The special effects are amazing. Fans of pirates who are in it for sword fights and swashbuckling action will not be disappointed.
But, as usual, the crowning glory of the film are the characters. William Turner has grown from the naive but noble youth to a pirate with a good soul and a streak of deviousness that gives his character a more well-rounded feel. In Pirates 2, we are given a taste of the imminent darkening in his character and an added maturity, so different from the Will Turner in Pirates 1. In this new movie however, both facades of his character will be reconciled with surprising results. Elizabeth Swann too has grown from a girl with naive fantastical thoughts of pirates to a woman of beauty, bravery and femininity, adding an elegance to the film. However, that is not to say her character has soften. On the contrary, she played an immensely important role in the movie, proving yet again that women are not meant to stay at home and deal with housework alone. Barbossa returns with his usual flair for evil (even though he is a protagonist) and special mention of James Norrington, who I think deserves a mention.
Then, last but most definitely not least, Captain Jack Sparrow himself. I was amazed with his character from the beginning but now, my awe of him just increased. Jack proves again that simply by being yourself, you can be outstanding. His mastery in manipulation and subtlety in controlling circumstance is seen throughout the show so watch for hints of it. His humorous lines and quirks remain intact, shining during the darker moments of the film. He cannot be upstaged by the other characters no matter what. And, it only reaffirms my belief that without Jack Sparrow, there can be no Pirates of the Caribbean.
Impeccable and flawless acting, all the actors have truly grown into their characters, bringing the characters to life. Here, I would like to make a special mention of Johnny Depp (Jack Sparrow). He has truly created (along with the writers) a character of fantastic depth, hilarity and complexity that has spawned fans all over the world. And, he has managed to present this depth with subtle actions that are unbelievably real. Orlando Bloom, Kiera Knightley, Geoffrey Rush and the other actors are no less superb and I applaud them.
Bottom line of this incredibly long review is: WATCH PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: AT WORLD'S END. If not, you will regret it. For those who have yet to watch it, I hope that you will enjoy it as much as I did.