Swashbuckling returns huge but lacks the heart ironically enough

Rating: 8/10 (22 July 2006)

I had very high expectations for Pirates 2 Dead Man's Chest. I did know if not subconsciously that Pirates 2 would most certainly suffer from being a sequel let alone the middle installment of a trilogy. Now don't get me wrong...Dead Man's Chest still captures and delivers the swashbuckling adventure, returns many, if not nearly all the original members of the cast including some obscure ones (the Undead Monkey.) The film also does a terrific job and melding together the first and second films keeping a very close eye on linking them properly and having a continuous storyline. The film has some truly amazing fight scenes and stunt scenes (although not as many as the original) and some of the characters get a big boost into the spotlight. But when all is said and done the plot of the second film is a little bit complicated and must be very closely followed, the villain as creepy and crazy as he looks doesn't near have the heart or talent of the irreplaceable Geoffrey Rush, and some of the main characters including the infamous Captain Jack Sparrow have lost some of their heart. BUT the CGI is greatly improved considering the enormity of the special effects, the setting is still perfect and the adventure soars!!
Johnny Depp probably set his career high as the anti-hero Jack Sparrow. He will be a movie classic character forever and no one but Depp could play him. It's a brilliant role and he HAD to return. There was no shortage of Jack Sparrow action and he still is great but it just seemed like he lacked the heart that he had for the character in the original. I suppose some of that would come from this being not the creation of a unique character but rather carrying him over. Some of the scenes felt a little forced to try and re-establish Jack's outlandish personality. He also felt less like the reluctant hero in this film and more like a true blood Pirate with a bit of an evil side to him which doesn't really fit Jack Sparrow...he just didn't seem himself. Orlando Bloom returns as high spirited youngster William Turner. Now Bloom perfectly captures the character he created in the original. Turner is the perfect hero, swash buckling, a little bit of pirate but honorable and handsome. Although I will say people tend to get the better of him more often than not in this film especially in a sword fight. Depp and Bloom have lost all their chemistry they shared with their reluctant friendship in the first one. They seem more like enemies now unfortunately. Someone whose character really blossomed in this second film is the lovely Keira Knightley's Elizabeth Swann. Swann who was a strong female lead in the original really gets to kick some butt and poke fun at the female persona in the 1800's. She's sassy, strong and quite striking in this film. (My male opinion of her had dropped significantly after Domino BLECH!!) She gets far more swordplay of her own, some really great action scenes and a more significant role. Unfortunately they make her character less credible and destroy the intense romance between Will and her with a sub plot about her lust for Jack Sparrow. Bill Nighy plays the entirely CGI'd evil villain Davy Jones. He does well but just doesn't hold your attention like Geoffrey Rush did with his villain. He certainly looks evil enough and plays a big part in the overall plot of this film, the earlier film and the next one by the sounds of things. Stellan Skarsgård makes a reasonably important and very well acted appearance as Bootstrap Bill Turner, Will's Father. Talked about in length in the first one but this is his first appearance. Skarsgård is an effective actor and is a very emotional character in this role. Jack Davenport makes an interesting return as former Commander Norrington. He is another of the characters who definitely got more of a break out role. He's villainous and yet one of the good guys in many ways. He is also vitally important to the next film and how everything unfolds.
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest is definitely not without it's 300 million dollar (and climbing) charm. There is truly some memorable moments including the sword fight on the enormous water wheel and the escape from the hanging cage made from crew members bones. As a sequel and in that vein it is quite well done and very worth seeing if there is anyone left on the face of the planet who hasn't seen it. It reminds me a great deal of the original Star Wars trilogy each one establishing characters, romance, intrigue, action and a beloved ship...Millennium Falcon vs The Black Pearl. I don't know if Pirates will capture the hearts like Star Wars did but so far it's a terrific series but absolutely make sure you see the superior original before seeing this sequel. Altogether so far it's been fun!! 8/10