Almost Great

Rating: Null/10 (14 July 2006)

PIrates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest Directed by Gore Verbinski Written by Ted Elliot and Terry Rossio Starring Johnny Depp, Orlando Bloom, Keira Knightley, Jack Davenport, Bill Nighy, Jonathan Pryce
So, Captain Jack is back to grace the screen after the first film, The Curse of the Black Pearl, made a surprisingly world beating blockbuster run three years back. Already dominating the box office, Pirates 2: Dead Man's Chest is a almost a lock to end up in the top three of the all time box office charts, with some already imagining it might even sink Titanic.
Well, to start off with, let me say that Pirates 2 is not a titanic flop in any way. If you've been afraid the last few months that this movie will end up being cast aside like The Matrix Reloaded, then rest easy, the film is good.
The film has improved in more ways than one. As enjoyable as The Curse of the Black Pearl was, there were many instances where due to no fault of the crew, the film visually fell short because of it's lack of size (in money and in space). The skeleton people looked as best they could, and the waters as dreadful as humanly possible (with a tinge of realization that it's a set, not a real... boat). Dead Man's Chest does away with all visual doubt. The Black Pearl in it's full glory carries a menace of its own, equalled only by The Flying Dutchman, ship of the villain Davy Jones, made out of oysters and seashells.
The tentacle man Davy Jones
So the story goes that Davy Jones wants Jack Sparrow to pay up his debt, which is (to no surprise) his soul. So the double crossing, triple crossing, quadruple crossing plot unfolds with Sparrow, Will Turner (Bloom), Elizabeth Swann, Ex-commodore Norrington, and other familiar foes. The plot twists in the film surprises well, and the film in it's own right carries substantial weight and food for thought for us viewers to chew on till the finale. It's no secret that Pirates 2 ends on a cliffhanger note, which I believe many will not enjoy. But that's life :P
However, the interesting storyline also is perhaps the greatest weakness of the film. The many prominent plot points are used as "excuses" to set up unnecessary chase, swordchopping, swashbuckling, and squimy twitching, scenes.
Jack Sparrow exceeds expectations, if only marginally, and caused my belly to swell, thanks to all the laughter. The sideline story of the aboriginies is easily the highlight of the film because of the level of creativity, which mind you, required minimal computer graphics. The human element, that's what they would call it. Speaking of computer graphics, as great as all the sets and costumes were, and the by and large innovating animation of the seashell baddies, the giant octopus, known as the Kraken, supposedly the biggest visual highlight of the film... turned out to be quite a bore. Won't say more, other than, well, it's a giant squid la.
Keira Knightly, Orlando Bloom gave par performances, riding on the film's other great qualities. Davy Jones amused and delighted me with his twitches and his nostalgia, but fails to inject fear into my blood. Most of the supporting cast were supporting enough, with none rising above the tide to steer the Black Pearl into greatness.
I love you. You love me. Scriptwriters don't let us marry. Darn them.
And oh yes, Hans Zimmer didn't fare much better than his apprentice from the first film, cos the music was one of the most disappointing aspects of the film. I've always admired/defended Zimmer scores to be purposeful, highly functional, and when necessary, glorious, even if dull notes needed playing, but Pirates was only existent at best, and a nuisance most of the time.
All in all, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest is deserving of it's record breaking blockbuster status, and as startling as the film is visually, it fails to deliver a consistent pace and balance of adrenaline and thought. Hats of to Johnny Depp, Jack Sparrow, who has single handedly carried this film on his back, but the prominence of his contributing is leading me to wonder if his presence will burn out with the next film.
Then again, Chow Yun Fatt is in the next one.
Savvy?
And I've been saving this line for the last: Johnny Depp should win an Oscar for his role as Jack Sparrow. Should've won it the last time, and should win it this time.
Rating: B