Ah-har!

Rating: 7/10 (26 November 2006)

Johnny Depp and Geoffrey Rush are two of the main reasons to see this film. Their note-perfect and seemingly effortless portrayals of rival pirate leaders Sparrow and Barbossa fills the screen whenever they appear. Other actors are allowed their chance to shine as well, thanks to Gore Verbinski's generous direction.
The action is plentiful, the laughs come like a volley of cannonballs and the special effects don't overwhelm the story. What's not to like?
Well, er, Keira Knightly and Orlando Bloom, unfortunately. Shrewish and drippy respectively, neither of the two young leads has the screen presence to create a credible romance. Knightley gets more annoying as the movie progresses and I found myself hoping that someone would kill her character with another 45 minutes to go. Bloom is fine and athletic in the action sequences, but fails to convince as soon as he stops moving and starts to open his mouth.
Fortunately, the energy, charm and quality of this movie outshine the damp squibs of Knightley's and Bloom's performances. 'Tis a fine film, to be sure, ah-har etc...