A Great Movie- Exceeds Expectations

Rating: 10/10 (15 July 2003)

I actually went to see this movie twice- and for ten dollars per ticket (ah, gotta love New York) this means something.
I was initially dragged to this movie by my younger sister with very low expectations, considering it was Disney-made live action, a PG-13, and the previews weren't that great.
I was very pleasantly surprised to say the least. This movie put me in the mind of "Indiana Jones"- a great action movie with some comedy thrown in- and ultimately very entertaining. Unlike most action movies today made mostly for the teen-to-20's male crowd who will spend on video games, etc. this movie wasn't just an endless repetition of big guns, explosions and breasts. Sure, all three of those made it in there (and some of the battle scenes are a bit long), but they didn't dominate- they were part of the fabric of the story and atmosphere.
Both times I saw it, all but three of the jokes got laughs from everyone in the audience (and the sight gag that introduced Capt. Jack Sparrow was great).
Two words: Johnny Depp. Not only is he unbelievably sexy (eyeliner and all - sorry :) ) but his character is amazing- funny, well-acted, and really the moving force behind this movie.
I enjoyed the other actors' performances as well (though Kiera Knightley seemed to be struggling to stay on par a bit- but I do give her credit for the physicality and comedy required). Orlando Bloom, although required by the script to make a few cheesy faces and declarations, does a good job as the classic man out to save his love (and even has the look of a classic movie star).
The only detractors were the over-the-top cheesiness of the romance and the attention paid to the Black Pearl pirates (or perhaps that attention would be ok if they were more pirate-like and a bit less hammy?)
Overall, I thought this was a refreshingly good movie- something that has been missing from summers for quite a while. Can best be summed up in one word: "Entertaining!" Go see it!