So so, yo ho ho

Rating: 5/10 (14 July 2006)

From the school of bigger is better film making this sequel is full of memorable moments but doesn't quite go anywhere.
The first film was to me at least an unexpected joy. Most of the joy came from the mix of stock pirate stuff, a great mechanical story that hit the right buttons and a nice turn by Depp. Depp inevitably doesn't seem so fresh this time, and the thin story lumbered all over the place. The redeeming feature, almost, was Naomie Harris in two pivotal scenes. She injected her character with the sort of energy Depp did his in the first. I hope she has much more screen time in the next film.
These type of event movies can be so invigorating when done well, if this one was tightened a little it could have been great instead of seeming like a hastily contrived merchandise shifter.