Good acting saves confusing plot

Rating: 9/10 (26 May 2007)

Depp, Bloom, Knightley, et al, are, if anything, better this time around. Even though it is about 20-30 minutes too long and has a somewhat confusing plot line, the biggest criticism I have of the film is the overuse, in my opinion, of CGI. You know, there is a time for an action sequence in this film, several times over, but just because you can do something with the computer does not mean you have to. As one example, the scene with Lord Beckett on the Endeavor near the end of the film is way overdone. The director seems thrilled with what effects can be achieved, and he uses them even where the context of the film could be, in my view, better served without the obviously computer generated effects. But, other than that, a very enjoyable film. In fact, I saw it a second time and was more impressed the second time around.