I have to admit...I really enjoyed Dead Man's Chest

Rating: 8/10 (26 January 2014)

I'm going to present a somewhat 'unpopular' opinion when I say that Dead Man's Chest is probably my favourite of all the Pirates of the Caribbean films. The film is frequently overlooked, seeing as it is sandwiched between the surprisingly brilliant Curse of the Black Pearl and the confusingly bloated At Worlds End. Does it have faults? Of course it does, but it doesn't take away too much from the extremely enjoyable adventure that it is.
This time round Captain Jack Sparrow is informed that he still has a blood debt with the legendary Davy Jones. Jack realises that he must find Jones' heart in order to rid himself of Jones and potential damnation for all eternity on the Flying Dutchman. Both Will and Elizabeth are roped into things when they are arrested and told that they will only be released if they find Jack's compass for the seedy Cutler Beckett. Believe me when I say this, there truly is a lot going on within the films plot. It's good that it doesn't get too complicated to follow, but it is constantly building upon itself. It could get away with a flimsy plot due to the concentration on adventure, so I'm glad it is trying to create an interesting storyline.
What I really enjoy in the film is that it is just shamelessly entertaining, you don't get the feeling that the film is trying to do anything but keep you entertained and tell a gripping adventure tale. Sometimes films like that can feel pointless or forced, but the film has its heart in the right place and it never tries to be something it is not. It does remind me of swashbuckling films of old that simply relied on offering you some fun.
After his Oscar nomination from the first film Johnny Depp returns and is just wonderful as everyone favourite pirate Jack Sparrow. There is just something so likable and entertaining about the character that Depp manages to play out to perfection. His slightly surly confidence and clumsy attitude is what does the trick, Depp just has the mannerisms that fit the part and even the slightest actions is made hilarious by him. When he is on screen things light up and I cannot help but laugh
The supporting cast is excellent. Bill Nighy adds his usual quirky ticks and style to Davy Jones under heavy CGI, making an intimidating and complex villain. I really like Kevin McNally as Sparrow's superstitious right hand man Gibbs, it's a very likable and laid-back performance again. Jack Davenport is back the now run down drunkard Norrington adding more layers to the character. Stellan Skarsgard is solid as always as Will's haunted father and Tom Hollander is enjoyable are the slimy Beckett. The whole crew of the Pearl are always very amusing and have some very funny traits, like Cotton's parrot.
The only actors I really have issues with are the other two leads. Orlando Bloom hearkens back to the good looking leads of old adventure flicks, but the guy is just plain dull. He just a bland actor and his stifled delivery always comes off as awkward. Keira Knightly is not much better, she just comes off as annoying and is also just a bland actress. I don't think the characters are bad, just the actors weren't right for the roles.
The visuals of the film are extremely impressive. The locations alone look fantastic, whether they be at stormy sea or a white sand beach. The sheer amount of money the film cost to has clearly been used very well in order to make the film a visual feast. The CGI is amazing. The crew of the Flying Dutchman for example are all CGI added on to actors and the details look so lifelike is it hard to believe it isn't. The CGI on Davy Jones looks incredible and the sheer detail that has been put into his creation must be applauded. The seas look vast and dangerous, adding levels of suspense as the crew travel from place to place. The Kraken is another CGI piece that is used well and looks amazing. The action set- pieces are excellent as usual. The triple sword fight inside a rolling water mill is absolutely superb, both from a visual standpoint and as an entertaining action scene. The climatic ship battle is also outstanding.
The films tone manages to be balanced nicely. Is the humour still here? You better believe it. Jack's first appearance and escape from a native tribe are truly hilarious. It's the small amusing things that complete the comedic sensibility. Depp's spaced out expressions, the quirks of the Pearl crew and even Tom Hollander's droll delivery are all small things that add to the humour. There are some darker elements, but the film only concentrates on them slightly which is understandable. Hans Zimmer delivers another excellent score which creates a sound that evokes the perfect balance of excitement and tension.
Dead Man's Chest is the example of a middle film done right in my eyes. It doesn't try anything too different to the first film, but it does move away enough to feel like its own entity as well as a continuation of the story. The film was by no means perfect, the plot does have a bit too much going on at times and the large amounts of CGI can get excessive. Yet the pure entertainment style is very welcoming, the action is spectacular, Johnny Depp is hilarious once again and all kinds of humour are present here. I think Dead Man's Chest is as good as the first and an exceedingly enjoyable adventure romp.