A New Classic Voyage

Rating: 10/10 (31 July 2003)

Pirates of the Caribbean is a swashbuckling adventure in the flavor of the Golden Days of Hollywood. It took me back to the days of Errol Flynn in "Captain Blood." It had plenty of the high seas action, just enough creepy mystery and a healthy dose of contemporary humor. I agree that Johnny Depp stole the film with his memorable approach to Captain Sparrow. But, it was only because he made such brave acting choices that he rises above this otherwise gifted cast. Everyone is cast perfectly and the director sets the tone beautifully from beginning to end. The real hero, however, in this film is the script. It launches us on a hair-raising voyage full of intrigue, conflict, false bravado, and laughter that doesn't let up until the final frame. How rare that a film is both entertaining and family friendly in the tradition of the old adventure classics!