Made me a jolly Roger

Rating: Null/10 (17 August 2003)

Who would have thought that the pirate genre could be made to successfully walk the gangplank again? And who who would have imagined that producer Jerry Bruckheimer - the guy behind a succession of violent action movies like "The Rock" - would be the man to do it? But here we have family entertainment at its best - non-stop action, lots of humour, effective special effects and great locations (St Vincent).
What really makes the movie though is the clever casting.

Johnny Depp gives a marvellously camp performance as Captain Jack Sparrow, the most charming rogue ever to stride the decks. Geoffrey Rush, as his rival to command the "Black Pearl", is even madder here than in "Shine". British viewers of the television series "The Office" will find Mackenzie Crook giving an eye-catching performance. Orlando Bloom, after his heroics in "Lord Of The Rings", gives us some more dash and bravery. While young and sweet Keira Knightley, following her freshness in "Bend It Like Beckham", obtains the big break that is likely to secure her a successful career.

All this made me a very jolly Roger.