Entertaining in the classic Disney style!

Rating: 9/10 (24 July 2003)

I found this film to be thoroughly entertaining and enjoyable. While some parts could certainly have hit the cutting room floor, with no loss to the film, I still enjoyed it enough to recommend it to everyone.
Johnny Depp turns in a hysterically entertaining performance as Jack Sparrow - I'd call this one of Depp's greatest performances, and the price of admission is worth seeing his turn here. Orlando Bloom makes a believable pirate as well, and gets extra points for having that lovely hair. Kiera Knightley's talent as an actress is apparently debatable; but then again, the part wasn't much, so I can't judge her based on this film alone. Geoffery Rush makes a great bad guy, but I expected nothing less than a stellar performance from Rush anyhow (that is what he does, after all).
The sets and costumes are gorgeous and lush, and the ships are beautiful to look upon. I do wish there had been more swordfighting, though! Overall, I think this film will sit well on the shelf along with the other Disney live-action films that have done so well over the years, and is entertaining enough to watch more than once. More than twice, in fact.