Pirates of the Caribbean: More Than a Kid's Ride

Rating: 9/10 (19 February 2013)

Pirates of the Caribbean has become much more than a ride at Disney World: Gore Verbinski has transformed this children's ride into a summer blockbuster. From the eccentric character of Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp), to the sword fights, and of course the romance, this movie has something for every moviegoer. Verbinski has created a classic that incorporates adventure, fantasy, and romance into a film that will keep you entertained from beginning to end.
This tale of adventure centers around the bizarre character of Captain Jack Sparrow, who's crew, years before the plot begins, planned a mutiny against him and left him on an island to die. Ironically, the crew of the Black Pearl later became cursed, and the only way to lift the curse lies in the hands of Elizabeth Swan (Kiera Knightley), daughter of a Governor. When the crew captures Elizabeth, her oldest friend Will Turner (Orlando Bloom) teams up with Captain Jack to save her. The story that ensues is full of energy and an ongoing sense of adventure that will keep you captivated through all 143 minutes.
The key performance of the movie belongs to Johnny Depp, as Captain Jack Sparrow, he brings his crazy pirate character to life. From Depp's mannerisms to his wild antics, his offbeat humor shows off his likability and diversity as an actor. Captain Jack is impossible to predict and will keep you guessing what he'll do next. His character brings a fun sense of unpredictability and comic relief to this film, making Jack Sparrow nearly impossible to dislike.
Now what is a summer movie without a little bit of romance? Elizabeth (Knightley) and Will (Bloom) serve as this movies love sub-plot. Their love story is a classic fairytale: a poor boy falls for a girl who is out of his league, while a wealthier, more affluent man is courting her. She is kidnapped, so the poor boy goes to save her and they fall in love. While their love story is a predictable one, it doesn't necessarily take away from the plot. Elizabeth isn't your average damsel-in-distress; she is an intelligent, independent woman who often times saves herself as well as others. While the romantic aspect of this movie is relatively foreseeable, Knightley and Bloom do a fantastic job at keeping the audience interested in this storyline with their incredible chemistry.
Pirates of the Caribbean is a movie that is a must-see on the big screen. It's visually remarkable, from its battles set on the seas surrounding the Caribbean, to the "living dead" beings that are the cursed crew of the Black Pearl, this movie is so action packed that is might even make you feel sea sick watching it in the theaters (but not really). This timeless film will be loved for many years to come, and it's adventurous plot will have you on a ride for it's entirety.