Disappointing: Loads of Wonderful Action & Nonsense but Drowned in an Unpalatable Plot

Rating: 2/10 (16 July 2006)

Had no real expectations for this film - if you can believe me. I'm not that sort of movie-goer. I just want to have an experience when I go to the cinema. Fun, exciting, or dramatic, thrilling, or thoughtful, inspiring, etc.
It starts off well. We get our heroes from the last flick set up very quickly and believably, and given new problems to resolve. This will be the last time this happens.
Throughout the rest of the picture, amidst some super-cool action pieces, we are treated to miserable attempts to up the ante. This is done with boring, unspirited acting for the most part, though Ms Knightly did have one terrific scene. Still, perhaps this muddle was due to the darker concept of this film.
But add to that the re-introduction of minor characters from the first film - and in such a thoughtless manor - just because they provided comic relief before, and the idea that the semi-eternal creatures need to take naps, or that anyone would really have been able to pull the net with the barrels while the whole ship is under attack in that frantic manner... I mean, what a hash! Parents will also have difficulty explaining to their children why certain pirates are mercurially helpful one moment then bloodthirsty (is that hyphenated?) the next. But then what would any child be doing in a theatre watching pirates...? ;) Mr Depp is still in good form. Mr Bloom came down a notch. Ms Knightly really wasn't given much to do (but that's OK, it's just the brakes) but fared well.
Nevertheless, it was a bore.
Really felt like this should have been condensed or perhaps fused with the 3rd movie for better pacing and a resolution. This was no EMPIRE STRIKES BACK.
I will believe, however, that the Powers That Be won't screw up the next film.