overlong but enjoyable swashbuckling pic

Rating: Null/10 (17 July 2003)

Long, but fun and entertaining high seas adventure about a young blacksmith who conceals his love for the governor's engaged daughter. When she's abducted by a ruthless gang of ghostly, undead pirates, he makes a deal with an eccentric rogue (himself a pirate), to try and track her down. The film would certainly have been more effective had it been shorter, but it's full of engaging action scenes, elaborate set design, colorful wardrobe, stunning visual effects, and spirited performances. Depp is an absolute riot and pulls out all the stops as the flamboyant Captain Sparrow, and keeps the film watchable during its plot-heavy moments. ***