Pirates have never looked Better!

Rating: 9/10 (15 July 2006)

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest opening shot is of the seas choppy, merciless dark waters, as if the director's preparing the audience for a Pirates chapter that will end in tragedy. The wonderful thing about the Dead Man's Chest is that, although a much darker film with more horrific creatures and fantastic locales, it doesn't abandon the first film's lighthearted adventure and fondness for her characters. I felt as if in the first installment of the franchise, I only hiked up my jeans and took a relaxing walk along the surf. While Dead Man's Chest plunges into the opening shots mysterious sea and gives the audience a much grander, more epic adventure.
The downside to Dead Man's Chest is that the action is much more tongue in cheek. The film embraces the absurdity of the subject matter: Pirates who sail mythical seas, telling fantastic tales of treasure and monsters, while boldly challenging their fears for their Lives, Glory, Love and of coarse Riches. The action sequences are so much more elaborate that I fear for the third film, as this embrace of the absurd could easily walk the plank into the depths of cartoon silliness.
That being said, of all the summer blockbuster's that have been release in 2006, Dead Man's Chest by far eclipses the rest of the competition. Jack Sparrow is back in fine form, Will Turner remains the idealistic hero, and Elizabeth Swan's character develops in a surprising and refreshing fashion. Hero's step across the line and become Villainous at times, former Villain's become unsavory Allies, and Hollywood adventure on the high seas has never looked better.