Yo Ho, Yo Ho- A Pirate's Life For Me!

Rating: 9/10 (13 July 2003)

"The Curse of the Black Pearl" is a sun-drenched pirate adventure story of the second tier which combines with first rate special effects and engaged acting to create a very entertaining movie- one certain to be included among movie "classics". Employing many of the usual pirate movie themes and locales, (and, if you look closely enough, incorporating several very carefully reconstructed scenes from the eponymous Disneyland ride) "The Curse of the Black Pearl" reproduces storms at sea, broadside fussilades and deck to deck combat with thoroughly updated techniques and technology which is truly a pleasure to behold- assuming you like movies with such plot necessities in the first place. It reminded me of the old movies I used to watch on Saturday or Sunday afternoons when I was growing up (I am in my mid-forties), but improved 1000% in terms of special effects and technological prowess. I have never really understood the aura enjoyed by Johnny Depp, but he is actually quite entertaining in the role of the erstwhile pirate captain trying to take revenge against his mutinous shipmates and regain his ship (The Black Pearl). In interviews he has proclaimed that his inspiration for the character was Keith Richards, of the Rolling Stones. (Perhaps he channels this role too well, as at times Captain Sparrow seems a bit too much like a stumbling, addled-brained junkie). The girl from "Bend It Like Beckham" is quite good (and very fetching) as the mandatory high official's daughter kidnapped by the fearsome (and cursed) pirate band, and Orlando Bloom, plays the role of the honorable hero who tries to save her, very convincingly. As a boy, a favorite scene in a favorite movie of mine was when in "Jason and the Argonaughts" Jason and his crew fought the skeletons of the men killed by the Hydra. This scene is also similar to some of the battles in Brandon Fraser's "Mummy" films. The cursed pirate crew of the Black Pearl appear in skeleton form under moonlight, and move in and out of their "real" appearance with astonishing ease and "realism". It is truly an inspired and brilliant piece of CGI, and really makes the movie. The story is sound, with a few interesting plot twists, though the film may drag a bit towards the end, and wrap things up somewhat unconvincingly. All told, however, even if dead men tell no tales, this is a really good movie (though maybe a bit too scary for small children) and well worth a few pieces of eight.