A sequel BLESSEDLY more akin to EMPIRE STRIKES BACK, than to BACK TO THE FUTURE 2

Rating: 10/10 (9 July 2006)

OK - so I was prepared for the worst movie-going experience of the summer (and maybe that's the key), but what I surprise I had! This was not only a great sequel, but I would dare say almost a great stand-alone movie.
I will go ahead and concede some of the negative aspects first:
1) The originality of the first film is gone. That is always a given with the sequel. You can never out do such a great experience as a perfect part 1.
2) The villain, while great at being a menace, was not fun or funny the way Geoffrey Rush was in the original.
3) Depp himself seemed less committed to the part.
4) And yes, there is that issue with the open ending.
But these things aside, this sequel was still loads of fun! One thing the filmmakers did not do was try to stuff this movie with humor, as often happens in sequels. Instead, if anything, this one is a little darker. The plot can be hard to follow for a long while. Essentially, Jack apparently has sold his soul to one Davy Jones, and Mr. Jones has come to collect. This sets Jack off on an attempt to find the one thing with which he can undo his bargain with the villain. Meanwhile, Will and Elizabeth have been jailed for their previous efforts in freeing Jack, and Will is offered one chance to save themselves - find Jack and bring him in. Along the way, all our favorite surviving characters from the original find their way back into the plot, and the usual twists and turns ensue.
For about 30 or 40 minutes I was waiting for the movie to really take me back to where the first one did. Then, somewhere near the end, I realized that I had really been enjoying myself immensely the entire time! It's that kind of movie! Just a lot of fun and excitement - nothing too deep for a summer film (unlike the over-heavy SUPERMAN RETURNS).
As for the ending - well, hopefully you know by now that this is really just a first half of what is still to come next year. I was wondering how the ending would feel - if fragmented like BACK TO THE FUTURE 2 or MATRIX 2, or more of a preamble to the conclusion such as EMPIRE STRIKES BACK and TWO TOWERS. I'm pleased to report that, with one of the best final reveals in a long time, the ending and the film as a whole will have you salivating for next years release! Not quite a cliff-hanger (which would be annoying) but more of a, "Ok, we've covered all that ground, now take a breath and prepare for what comes next!" Stop reading this and go see it! I myself plan to see it at least one more time! Congrats to the cast and crew for catching the magic again!