Aye matey...Stay through the credits!

Rating: 9/10 (14 July 2003)

I was a drama major many years ago and always stay through the credits looking for names I recognize. It pays off about 25% of the time. Many films deliver a tasty morsel or an extra scene or an out-take to ponder at the end to keep you thinking. I live for those moments. I was all alone in the theater when Pirates of the Caribbean really ended and WOW! I can't even talk about it, because no one saw it! So stay. Watch. & Don't spoil it for others. On to the review...anyone who reads my reviews knows all I want from a movie is to be entertained. I wasn't expecting much, but Pirates of the Caribbean delivered in a big way. I loved it from start to the end after the end. Johnny Depp was fabulous as Captain Jack Sparrow. This guy has the most amazing range. I think he finally hit box office gold with this one though. He was a bit of a swishy swashbuckler with just the right comedic blend. It wasn't until near the end that I realized this portrayal had an actual reason in the movie. I thought he was just playing it over the top. Anyway, this is a pirate tale with a hero, a hero in training, a damsel in distress, a villain, a ship full of miscreants aiding the villain, a ship full of good guys aiding the hero, a worried father, a competitor for the ladies hand, hidden treasure--with a curse, and battle scenes to fuel nightmares for days! I thought the storytelling was unique and I loved the length of the movie, I'm sick to death of those 90 minute blurbs, I want something more for my nine bucks. The supporting cast was excellent, also especially Geoffrey Rush as Barbossa, the captain of the cursed Black Pearl. Keira Knightly brought a 90's flair to the film as the not so helpless damsel that added to the suspense & the fun. Do yourself a favor, see this movie on the big screen.