Disney...Dream World!

Rating: 7/10 (15 May 2007)

I was talking to a friend today, about Disney's Theme Parks. About how beautiful they are and about how everything feels like a dream when you visit them. I think it's almost the same with Disney's films: the sensation that everything is a long colorful dream or, and I don't say it to underestimate the films' quality; a long and entertaining Disney ride.
In "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest", as in "The Curse of the Black Pearl", you realize that every scene is done in an arranged set, where, sooner or later, every element present, will become something useful for the scene's development; because it is all carefully thought before. Whether the element will work as something that will explode or fall down it doesn't matter; the point is that everything is alive.
With this lively environment, "Dead Man's Chest" takes Johnny Depp's Jack Sparrow and his crew into the sea again. This time there is now Geoffrey Rush, but a new villain called Davy Jones, played wonderfully by Bill Nighy. The storyline follows the events of the first movie but what's slightly negative is that you will not understand everything correctly if you haven't seen "The Curse of the Black Pearl".
The 'Pirate's' writers give too much credit to their audience (and I wonder why they shouldn't, 'Pirates' being such a high-grossing film), expecting them to keep up immediately. This, for the general public is problematic, because usually sequels find a way for the viewer to understand what has happened before, in case they weren't able to watch the first installment. It doesn't occur that way in "Dead Man's Chest", but it doesn't mean you can't enjoy the ride.
Personally, I find the writer's decision risky and I like it so I don't mind; mainly, because the script is so well written and the connections with the first picture are intelligently placed in it. This trilogy has been blessed with incredible writers, capable of generating humor, adventure and drama not only for the children, also for the adults.
This is worth analyzing: Ted Elliot and Terry Rossio, the writers, are responsible for "Shrek", the best Dreamworks' computer animated film and one that finds the balance between kids and grown ups, with something for each. They're responsible for "The Road to El Dorado", one of my favorite animated films and Dreamwork's best film in 2-D animation. Finally, they crafted the script of "The Treasure Planet", one of the few good Disney animated films after the change of working team; where they also found the balance I mentioned above.
The trilogy has also been blessed with incredible actors. Johnny Depp reprising the one and only Captain Sparrow, disappearing in the role and owning the film as is his custom. Keira Knightley's Elizabeth comes back and, although not as important as in the first movie, she makes the character look more real, with fewer make up and more dirt in her face; showing that she's not a 'princess' and that she is a woman with determination; I'm looking forward to the final growth of Knightley's character. And Orlando Bloom, maybe not as incredible at the rest, but accompanied by an incredible cast.
Lastly, the trilogy is been blessed with a gifted director: Gore Verbinsky; who was chosen for the franchise after having made only a couple of films. Completely different in genre, the comedy "Mousehunt" and the horror remake "The Ring" were both equally complex to direct. Verbinsky took the risk and didn't fail Bruckheimer with 'Pirates'. He's also widened his versatility by directing the arty "The Weather Man".
Going back to my main point, you can take "Dead Man's Chest" as a long colorful dream or a long and entertaining Disney ride. Whatever the case, one thing is certain; it is entertainment for all the family. Oh, I almost forgot: Hans Zimmer is a genius.