Better than you think...

Rating: 8/10 (9 July 2006)

Popping onto Rotten Tomatoes, you'll find PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: DEAD MAN'S CHEST at a 54%, awarded with a green splat icon, and given an across the board "walk the plank" by most, if not all, of the American (and British) film critic heavyweights in print and entertainment news.
But here's the rub: a critic exists to create a film's legacy and, with great respect, is a sort of historian for a film. That said, not every film is made to change the film world, but critics have the unfortunate responsibility of applying their valid criterion to whatever they get assigned that week.
"PIRATES 2" is not a great masterpiece, but it's not meant to be. It's fun, it's exciting, and it's anchored by a decent script and Johnny Depp in top form as Captain Jack Sparrow. The plot gets complicated from the outset, but here's all you need to know: Jack Sparrow made a deal with Davey Jones, promising his soul in return. Time to pay his debt. Will Turner and Elizabeth Swan look to get married, but are delayed, detained, and Will bargains his and Elizabeth's freedom to set out to find Jack. Jack, Will, and Elizabeth find themselves reluctantly reunited in a quest to defeat Davey Jones, win Jack his soul back, and see Will and Elizabeth united in matrimony. That all said, if you know anything about the world of PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN, you know that nothing ever happens that easily and we are left by the end with a prelude to next summer's PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: END OF THE WORLD.
"PIRATES 2" does not offer the same charm of it's predecessor, but it is a different beast altogether. Many critics have descried its script as lackluster, but this time around, we don't have time for details - if you want an introduction, watch the first film. "PIRATES 2" has its own story to tell and, at almost two and a half hours, we don't have time for John Williams orchestrated scrolling text or a fifteen minute highlight of the first Battle of Mordor.
All other things aside, this ride is enjoyable and worth the ten bucks to see on the big screen. Don't expect Al Gore or Garrison Keillor, but rest assured of no Brett Ratner or Sandra Bullock. See "Cap'n Jack" run, screaming like a little girl, from a hoard of cannibals and enjoy one of the most intriguingly choreographed sword fights since the days of Errol Flynn. And lastly, "hide the rum" - there's still the big finish next summer.