Brilliant

Rating: 8/10 (15 August 2006)

I completely agree about the similarities to Empire. It takes what was great about he first film to more sophisticated places. The music seems more prominent in this one and I've come to love it much more than in the first one. I think the scene where Becket tells Will what he wants from him really marks this as a greater film than the first. It gives an overview of the world the films are set in and adds resonance or something. I can't explain it. It's like the scene in Dirty Dancing when Max talks about how it all seems to be ending - 'You think kids wanna come and take foxtrot lessons with their parents? Trips to Europe! that's what the kids want. 42 countries in 3 days. It just seems like it's all slipping away.' I think scenes like that are what make good films great films if they're pulled off.
Watching pirates 2 was possibly one of the most thrilling viewings I've ever had. It's definitely necessary to have seen the first one. That's what makes the Commodor and what happens with Johnny and Elizabeth more completely brilliant because it's such a turnaround. Gibbs was hilarious too. And I thought Becket was an excellent new character and delivered his lines well.