Cutthroat Island? What's That?

Rating: 10/10 (17 February 2007)

Forget all the bad pirate movies of the past - Cutthroat Island, for instance - and indulge in the first masterpiece of the 21st century. Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl was based on a piddling Disney theme park ride and starred Edward Scissorhands, Legolas, David Helfgott, and that skinny girl from 'Bend it like Beckham'.
But this film packs a killer punch with Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp), the notorious rock star/pirate with a resemblance to Keith Richards and the coolest hat on celluloid. Without him, we would have an enjoyable if messy romp with non-acting Orlando Bloom, undead pirates, and a hammy Geoffrey Rush. With him, we have an adventure classic.
In fact, I could find only one problem with this film. A roguish outlaw and an innocent boy team up to save a princess from an evil warlord. 'The Curse of the Black Pearl' does bear striking resemblances to 'Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope', but Han Solo's no Captain Jack.
The film doesn't outstay its welcome. Dead Man's Chest, it's sequel, was a nice attempt and Johnny Depp does brilliantly, even without the surprise factor he's fantastic, but here's hoping At World's End returns to the original's brilliance.