One heck of a ride.

Rating: 8/10 (3 April 2020)

'Pirates Of The Caribbean: The Curse Of The Black Pearl (2003)' is a really good time. It's a swashbuckling adventure with a pitch-perfect tone and an eclectic set of memorable characters, each as important as the last. Depp's performance is a tightrope walk and he never really wobbles, portraying his 'rock star' pirate as if it were the role he was born to play. Jack Sparrow is an interesting lead because you never know what he's thinking. He double-crosses just about everyone but remains likeable because he's just so good at talking his way out of things and, eventually, some of those double-crosses turn out to be triple-crosses. He has a moral centre, even if it's well-hidden. His adversary is similarly skilled with his silver tongue. However, Hector Barbossa doesn't seem to have a modicum of moral fibre and that's what makes him such a compelling villain. The other factor in that is Rush's fantastic portrayal; he chews the scenery like it's his last meal and he's absolutely spot-on. As is the phenomenal music, which effortlessly evokes everything you could want from a story like this. The narrative takes our heroes and villains through a compelling 'cursed gold' plot and places them in several stand-out set-pieces that are sure to put a smile on your face. That final moment between Sparrow and Barbossa is just sublime. The entire film is just a blast throughout. It's suitably pulpy yet always sincere. It's also chuckle-worthy at times and genuinely suspenseful at others. It works so brilliantly because it's all character-driven, right down to the last sword stroke. It's a hugely entertaining blockbuster. Its balance between practical and digital effects is fantastic, too. 8/10