Second "Pirates" An Even Wilder Ride

Rating: 9/10 (7 July 2006)

Yes, I was one of the goofballs who, in true fan fashion, lined up outside my multiplex for the 12:01 am showing of a film I've been anticipating for years. Moreover, I had the lack of sense to bring my 9 year old daughter, having just allowed her two weeks ago to watch the first installment of this fabulous franchise. Guess what...it was no goof! "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest" has the luxury of jumping right into the story. This is no film where you suffer through the first twenty minutes of background; we reacquaint ourselves with our favorite characters in moments and the action begins...and very rarely stops! This movie is so fast-paced to be almost frenetic (but in a good way). For those who, like Elizabeth, lost track of whose side Jack was on in the first film, it is another struggle to keep up (of course, we all know Jack is always on Jack's side). The mood is dark and scary most times, but also contains an underlying humor to lighten the mood.
The character of Elizabeth Swann is broadened nicely, while Jack Sparrow (er...Captain Jack Sparrow) and Will Turner continue in the same vein as the first movie. Several familiar faces make appearances, but the highlight was the seamless interweave of the CGI characters with the live action ones, particularly Davy Jones. Though the "Lord of the Rings" franchise pioneered the completely CGI character, it has been just as masterfully accomplished in this film. Bill Nighy performed all of Davy Jones' acting through motion capture on set with the other actors which allowed complete believability in their interactions. Had I not known of the CGI nature of the character, I might have suspected some fabulous makeup and effects works, so lifelike was the character.
Don't expect all your loose ends tied up; most of us know the third installment was filmed concurrently with this and this movie is left wide open. Enjoy the ride, however, for Captain Jack and crew have hoisted sails and are ready to brave the rough waters of sequeldom admirably.