Fastically entertaining sequel

Rating: 8/10 (22 July 2007)

I can't say I was the biggest fan of the original Pirates of the Caribbean movie when I saw it shortly after its release, but it was a fun movie and I hoped that this first sequel would deliver more of the same. I can't remember a great deal about the original since it was around four years ago when I saw it, but at this moment in time, I think Dead Man's Chest is an overall better film! There's not really much of a plot to speak of, but this isn't important as director Gore Verbinski packs the film with amusing stunt sequences and sword fights, which more than makes up for the lack of plot. This film once again follows the fortunes of the three main characters from the original: Elizabeth Swann, Will Turner and Captain Jack Sparrow. They find themselves on the trail of a treasure chest containing the heart of monstrous sea pirate Davey Jones. Jack wants it so he doesn't have to join Jones' crew (which is made up of a motley assortment of fish men), Will Turner wants it to free his father from Jones and then there's The East India Trading Company, who want it too.
There's some really great stunts in this movie, and mostly they're great because they're completely unexpected in the way they're put together - examples include a sequence that sees Captain Jack's crew traversing up the side of a mountain while contained in a wooden ball, while another features a sword fight on top and inside a giant wheel. The locations are great too, as the film capitalises on the 'Caribbean' part of the title and dishes up the action on numerous mysterious Caribbean islands. The film seems keen to add a good deal of horror into the mix too, which is always welcome. Davey Jones' crew is truly nightmarish, while the character of Tia Dalma (one of the film's biggest highlights!) hints at black magic and voodoo. Then there's the mythical sea monster, the Kraken, which provides a number of major highlights as it drags men and ships to the depths. All the major players from the first film return and do well, while new inclusions such as Bill Nighy and Naomie Harris add to the fun. Overall, this might not be a brilliant masterpiece - but it's a hell of a lot of fun and I really enjoyed it, so it gets a big thumbs up from me!