Few laughs to fill these sails

Rating: Null/10 (4 December 2003)

Just about everyone I know who saw this flick when it was initially released, raved about how funny it was, how campy the actors were, how engaging the story was. For some reason, I didn't see it until it was released for rental. Good move on my part because I only paid $1 to see this film which was clearly worth only 50 cents. How disappointing! What a fine cast -- Depp, Pryce, Rush! What a lousy screenplay! A few laughs, yes, but more out of embarrassment for the actors and the lines they had to mutter, than the fact that the content was actually funny. I know I am clearly in the minority here as a sequel has been announced! Yipes! So perhaps I missed something. Maybe so. I'm thinking it could be that I am cursed to watch over-produced, special effects cotton candy cinema. I could lift the curse, however, and it's quite simple: Avoid movies like this.