As fun as it looks!

Rating: 7/10 (27 July 2003)

From the first scenes with Depp's Captain Jack Sparrow, you know this is a movie meant for fun. Sparrow is not serious and brooding, nor is he portrayed as a typical action hero. He's quick on his feet to be sure, and fast thinking as well. But he's also bumbling and prone to mishap. He's a *delight*.
You see the Commodore, played by Jack Davenport, and you immediately expect the tired "self-righteous pompous person of authority" stereotype... but they don't use it. Norrington turns out to be decent and honorable which is another refreshing change.
Even the undead pirates are presented in a humorous (not comical) light, rather than serious horror. That's a testament to the skill of director Verbinksi who certainly knows how to do horror (see: The Ring), for the undead are shown in full rotting, guts-bared glory. Yet, like the rest of the film, they are elevated into adventuresome fun.
As for the story itself, Pirates is fair. This is an adventure film, and to try to make more of it is to recognize its failings. Popular film for a long time now has glorified the wrong things. Evil over good, etc. Pirates doesn't do any better here, but at least it's not heavy handed.
Remember, this is a "summer movie". That has come to mean action over story, style over substance and lots of adrenaline. Pirates succeeds well here. As with most "adrenaline movies", you won't remember many details afterwards but you will be left with a sense of enjoyment and satisfaction. Pirates won't make you think, but that's the point.
7 out of 10.