The Best of the Series So Far

Rating: 9/10 (14 April 2009)

Two years ago when the third "Pirates of the Caribbean" came out, I was expecting the continuation of where it left off with the same style we have become adjusted to. Boy was I wrong and for good reasons too. "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End" goes beyond what a expected from a three parter movie as the series seems to get better as it ages, like a fine wine.
As the story continues, Captain Barbossa (Geoffrey Rush)along with Will Turner (Orlando Bloom) and Elizabeth Swann (Keira Knightley)and company attempt to rescue Capatin Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) who's held captive in Davy Jones(Bill Nighy) Locker. While this is happening, the evil Lord Cutler Beckett is going out of his way eradicating one pirate after another bringing them down on the brink of extinction. Cutler who's in possession of Davy Jones' heart, has employed the Flying Dutchman to annihilate the surviving pirates in the area which brings the pirates to band together to take down Cutler and Jones for a grueling battle in which fate is in the hands between the characters.
What's original from the other two "Pirates of the Caribbean" movies is that is that the campy humor is replaced by a more darker setting. Even the visuals are replaced with a dramatic feel and a complex story to it.
The format of the the story in "At World's End" is more like a real tale told in contrast to its predecessors being that it isn't about ghouls and treasures, but rather standing united to take down what could possibly of a threat of being diminished by a greater evil. It also teaches the valuable lessons in unity and how we should behave as a group when dire consequences comes into play. People may not like this new adjustment in favor of mindless pirate adventure fun, but to me I liked the new realistic approach to the series as it provides a refreshing feel to the story, where the life of a pirate isn't all fun and games. Some of the characters from the previous installment become darker in personality gives you a feeling that unpredictable notion as to who will live and who will die.
The direction was a joy to watch, even though the movie is 2 hours and 45 minutes, never once is it ever boring. I'm glad there was little editing done and was never once shortened just to satisfy those people who have short attention spans. It's the end of the series, so it would naturally be long. So I give a hats off to Gore Verbinski for creating a masterpiece.
The camera work was extremely skillful as every pivotal scene is captured in all its beauty, especially the waterfront scene. The desert scene with Captain Sparrow was kind of creepy but effective. Even the music heard in the background is enough to give you goosebumps.
The acting was breath-taking especially Johnny Depp who's flamboyant nature as Captain Jack Sparrow is one of the the many elements that have remained untouched. But the other performers turned in amazing performances. Geoffrey Rush is still scene stealing as Capatain Hektor Barbossa. And Tom Hollander has more screen time as the evil pirate slayer Lord Cutler Beckett.
Composer Hans Zimmer jumps a few hurdles here by composing a score that will keep you mesmerized and never falls in the category as boring or cheesy. And by adding new themes is also a valuable asset as well. The score makes everything just come alive here.
To summarize, this movie exceeds the other two by lowering the CGI's and the cheap laughter that a plethora of other summer blockbusters possess. The dark content and the complex story is plausible. And the scenes featured here can be very creepy and isolated at times. Though not set to please everyone, the changes borough to this movie is pure magic,in every possible way, from the cinematography to the acting to the remarkable score. This one will leave you with a satisfying aftertaste.