Pure entertainment...but Depp's rancid Captain Jack only makes one long for the likes of Robert Newton

Rating: 5/10 (7 September 2003)

This film was great fun and just might awaken more interest in the historical adventure film...a genre that has been sadly missed, but as in "Gladiator", when done well is big box office. However, Johnny Depp's rancid Captain Jack makes on long for the likes of Robert Newton, Anthony Quinn, and the pirate heroes of the 50's such as Flynn and Tyrone Power. The "evil dead" type special effects were an unnecessary distraction and the historical continuity was ludicrous. Some characters were circa 16th and 17th century (Orlando Bloom with his Musketeer garb at the end) while the British troops were definitely late 18th century as in the American Revolution. Although I have to laud the intention the results were not entirely satisfying, but I'd like to see more attempts at this kind of film.