Sheer fun

Rating: Null/10 (27 September 2003)

I've always loved the pirates' genre but I must admit a strong dislike if it comes to Disney. However, Johnny Depp starring in a Disney movie? I was somewhat intrigued... Had Depp finally succumbed to Disney or could it have been the other way round? I gave the movie a try and was (massive understatement ahead) truly rewarded. This movie is sheer fun to watch! The cast acts joyfully but most of them pale into insignificance compared to an absolutely stunning Johnny Depp who's got all the good lines and acts OTT yet wonderfully. Sure, there's been a lot of nagging about historical incorrectness and inconsistencies (Port Royal's destruction was mentioned before). For instance, the "Dauntless" probable role-model "Victory" was launched no sooner than 1765 and had never seen the Caribbean... But that's real nit-picking. If you permit yourself to see this little, colourful gem as a fantasy-film with an amazing soundtrack rather than a historical pirate-movie (which could never had been its aim), you'll have a good time and lots of memorable quotes to get on your friends' nerves with... Savvy?
I give it a meagre 9/10 due to the aforementioned minor flaws and an overdose of slapstick comedy (the two couples of stupid English soldiers and pirates). Surely this won't stop me from watching it a fourth and fifth time until the broad grin on my face will have to be surgically removed. 20/10 for Johnny Depp, and I'm NOT exaggerating!