if only i could give it 11 stars...

Rating: 10/10 (31 July 2006)

first off, i AM a rum-runner (a huge pirates fan), so i may be biased, but i tried watching this movie from a neutral point-of-view. and..it was amazing. i loved it! it takes place right after the first left off, and also incorporates many references to the first film (which you MUST see before seeing this movie). you can see that will turner has become more daring, more like a pirate. another to succumb to pirating is none other than Elizabeth, who will shock everyone who hasn't read spoilers for the ending by heartlessly leaving jack aboard the pearl alone to face the Kraken. but let's not get ahead of things. ;] Keira Knightley did not do as good of a job acting-wise in this movie as she did in the first movie, but the ending and the funny bits she throws in redeem her. Orlando bloom does quite well, and you really start to love him. and, of course, johnny depp. Oscar nomination number two. i can't begin to describe my love for captain jack sparrow, but i'll just say that if you love the drunk staggering, crazy eye movements, and really random (and funny) quotes which now are featured on thousands of IMDb board posts, you'll fall in love all over again.
now onto the supporting characters. first off, governor swann. Jonathan Pryce has a little more character in this movie than in its predecessor, and the few scenes he is in are gems. my favorite black pearl crew member (besides cotton's parrot), Joshamee Gibbs, is hysterical in this movie. "lift it like it's a lady's skirt!" had me in stitches. onto Davy Jones. bill nighy: where's your Oscar? his performance was beautiful, and i can't wait to see more of his story in the third movie. Stellan Skarsgard also had a flawlessly beautiful turn as bill turner, will's father. the whipping scene (i won't spoil it) had me near tears. and..pintel and ragetti! they finally show some depth. "the dichotomy of good and evil", the pronunciation of "kraken", and the whole bible skit are too funny for words. also, Davy's crew (all amazingly done with cgi) are fabulous, as are the rest of the pearl's crew. also, look for naomie Harris who plays Tia dalma. i want to see more of her in the next movie! she's great.
in conclusion, this is the best movie i have seen this year and one of my all-time favorites. it's funny, has a GREAT sword-fighting scene (on a WHEEL!), and proves that not all sequels have to be worse than the first movie.