The best film I have seen this year!

Rating: 8/10 (5 August 2003)

First of all I am a 44 year old male who cannot ever remember seeing a pirate movie that I liked. It is an engaging movie with good direction, writing, costume and special effects. The near 2 1/2 hours fly by with good pacing. (Watch all the credits because there is a surprise at the end.)
I would not say that I am fanatically attached to anyone involved in the production. I would say that it should be nominated for best costume and special effects. Johnny Depp gives a stellar performance but he is unlikely to be nominated for a film of this genre. It is the first Disney film that I have liked since the Lion King and undoutedly the first nonanimated film that I have liked by Disney since I was a child. My wife also enjoyed the film and our adolescent daughters did not think it was cool to go the film with us, but I would suggest that it would be appropriate for most all children over the age of 10. It is a far superior form of entertainment compared to its namesake theme park ride!
I doubt that the Haunted Mansion can rise to this level when it hits the screens at Thanksgiving.