A movie about Pirates that is based on a ride just won't work. Wanna Bet?

Rating: 9/10 (13 July 2003)

Since May, it has seemed as if 2003 was going to be just a run of the mill summer full of so-so sequels, average action movies, and very little of anything to look back on. In total, it may still turn out that way, but thanks to Finding Nemo from Disney/Pixar and now Pirates of the Caribbean from Disney, there is finally some light at the end of the tunnel. They not only broke the mold by giving us a Pirate movie of all things, they gave us a Pirate Movie that is exciting, humorous, adventurous, suspense filled, and filled with excellent performances all the way around. It is one heck of a good time at the movies. Pirates of the Caribbean is everything that Cutthroat Island wish it could have been, but didn't even come close to realizing. Renny Harlin and Geena Davis, eat your hearts out.
Make no mistake about it. From the moment he steps onto the dock as Jack Sparrow, this is Johnny Depp's film. Depp plays Captain Jack Sparrow, a pirate who wants to regain his ship from the evil Barbossa (played by Geoffrey Rush). In order to do so, he is forced to join forces with Will Turner (played by Orlando Bloom)to rescue the girl Will is sweet on, Elizabeth Swann (played by Keira Knightly). Depp's characterization of Sparrow is so memorable, that even when he isn't on the screen you are thinking about him. All the actors are excellent in their roles, with high marks all the way around. Keira Knightly shows more then just a feminine side in Elizabeth Swann, Geoffrey Rush as Barbosa is just evil enough to make a good villain, yet not so menacing as to bog the picture down. Orlando Bloom has the thankless role of playing the mostly straight arrow good guy, but he does it well, playing the part as it should be while knowing full well that doing so makes this Depp's film. That is not an easy thing to do in any film.
The battle sequences and sword fights are staged to perfection by Gore Verbinski. They are never confusing, even when there is a screen full of pirates having a bit of swordplay. Though the movie is a bit long, you never think about it as Verbinski keeps his film paced just right, while at the same time letting you get to know all you need to know about his characters.
A movie based on a Disneyland ride could just never work, and a Pirate Movie at that. That's what I and many others thought before seeing Pirates of the Caribbean. I hereby, eat one heck of a lot of hay, and am very happy to do so.
Next Class Please