Depp saves this unbearably long film

Rating: 9/10 (10 July 2003)

If I had to tell you whether or not to see this movie in one sentence, I would say this: Go see this movie purely because Johnny Depp is in it.
I know that that is what virtually everyone has been saying, but there is so much truth in it. As my subject line says, the movie was decent. It had action, a good plot, and good actors. The script was not too awe inspiring, there were few (but very clever) funny lines, and the special effects were not as good as we've seen in other recent movies. On top of that, the movie drags on for what seems like close to four hours (it actually runs about 2 and a half). The movie drags on and on, and after a long day of work and other activities I was tempted to go home and get some sleep because it seemed like the movie would just never end. However, one thing kept me watching: Johnny Depp.
He is absolutely brilliant in this film. He stands heads and shoulders above everyone else in the cast. His take on the role was completely original and the few funny moments that there are seem to always be led by onto the screen by him. You just don't ever know how he's going to react to things next, and you never know exactly whats going through his mind. From the minute he came sailing onto the screen you could tell that he would command this film, and indeed he did. Even the ever rising Orlando Bloom (who I had a serious hard time not looking at him and thinking 'Legolas') was barely noticable when next to Depp.
Besides Depp, the movie also scores points for its score. It's not always something you think about when reviewing a movie, but the music in this film really fit perfectly with the action/adventure theme and gets you into the battle scenes.
Overall, its an entertaining movie but one that will keep you checking your watch almost constantly. The pace can be slow, and the lines cheesy, but its saving grace is Depp's astounding performance. If for no other reason, go see it just to see Depp.