Very Fun Movie

Rating: 9/10 (23 July 2003)

I've seen a lot of movies this summer. Everything from X2 to The Matrix Reloaded to Hulk to T3. These were all action packed and/or thought provoking. It was about time for something that was just `fun'. Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl filled that quota.
Orlando `Legolas' Bloom stars as Wil Turner, a typical `blacksmith-with-a-heart-of-gold-turned-to-piracy-after-undead-pirates-kidnap-his-one-true-love'.
Keira `Not-Natalie-Portman' Knightley (who actually played Queen Amidala's decoy in The Phantom Menace) is Wil's one true love, Elizabeth Swann. It's one of those `high-class-girl-has-to-marry-high-class-even-though-she-loves-lowly-blacksmith' stories, but when she's captured by undead pirates, things change.
Johnny `Didn't-He-Used-To-Be-Really-Famous?' Depp makes this movie as Captain Jack Sparrow. Depp stole every single shot he was in, playing the typical `pirate-who-you-never-really-know-what-side-he's-on-even-at-the-end'. Depp is hilarious, and I will probably buy this movie when it comes out on DVD, if only for his performance.

"Impressive" Factor: High. Besides the humor brought by Captain Sparrow, the special effects were beyond. Just beyond. Industrial Light and Magic outdid themselves on this one. You see, the undead pirates show their undeadedness when moonlight hits them, which makes for some creepy, dramatic moments, but once that point is brought across, it's almost like it's no big deal. Skin, no skin, its all the same. It's about time special effects weren't the focus, no matter how awesome they might be. The ending battle is great, perhaps only because the special effects were used to enhance the story, not just be there.

Overall: See this film. It has everything. Pirates, love, humor, special effects. Go. Now.