Only slightly above average

Rating: 7/10 (7 July 2006)

Pirates of The Caribbean 2 has the problem that all legacies face: being compared with itself. The original fare was a massive success and loved by all; with this said, it is unfortunate that I have deemed the sequel only slightly above average.
First the pros: the CGI is top notch and the sets and cinemotagraphy are beautiful. The costumes are also top notch and should be given a nod come Oscar time. But now to the Cons: in my opinion, Capt. Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp), the character everyone came to fall in love with, fell short in this movie. It seemed as if his purpose was minimized as only to provide comic relief. Will Turner (Orlando Bloom) does fairly well as he has certainly matured since the last movie but Elizabeth Swann (Keira Knightley) is nearly nonexistent in this movie. Though the parts were acted well, the three stars did not live up to the first.
The secondary characters had an excellent opportunity to shine in this one, which I felt was a great addition.
Long....this movie clocked in at around 2 1/2 hours - I felt much of it could have been cut out.
But through all of this, I will say this: I am guaranteed to see the final POTC. Like the Matrix trilogy - though the second one may not live up to the first, maybe because the first set the bar so high, or because it simply fell short on all angles - I, like others, will want to see the final chapter; to see how it all ends.
But in conclusion, I'm not saying don't see the movie, but don't let the hype get to you. I feel as if so much hype was around this movie (I mean I went to a premiere in which +100 were dressed as pirates) it couldn't live up the bar which was raised. So go into this movie w/ the goal not to judge it against the original, but by itself. And by itself, its above average.