Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End...

"The only way for a pirate to make a living these days is by betraying other pirates. "

This is the third trilogy movie that I've seen this summer. It's also the third huge summer blockbuster. And, on top of that, it's the third movie with huge build up that critics have been disappointed in. But who am I kidding? Of course I'm going to see this on opening night...

Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End
Running Time: 2 hrs. 28 mins.
Directed By: Gore Verbinski
Starring: Johnny Depp, Geoffrey Rush, Orlando Bloom, Keira Knightley, Bill Nighy, Chow Yun-Fat

This movie picks up where the last left off. Jack has been eaten by the Kraken and taken down to Davey Jones' locker. After Elizabeth, Will, and Captain Barbossa rescue him, they must face their foes, Davey Jones and Lord Cutler Beckett. Beckett, now with control of Jones' heart, forms a dark alliance with him in order to rule the seas and wipe out the last of the Pirates. Now, Jack, Barbossa, Will, Elizabeth, Tia Delma, and crew must call the Pirate Lords from the four corners of the globe, including the infamous Sao Feng (Chow-Yun Fat), to a gathering that will make their final stand against Beckett, Jones, Norrington, the Flying Dutchman, and the entire East India Trading Company.

I was really nervous walking into this movie. I mean, including previews, it's a little over three hours long and I had just eaten. And on top of that, the other two big movies that have already come out (Spider-man 3 and Shrek the Third) in May have been let downs. So, I was really hoping this one would be good...

What follows is a SPOILER FREE review.


So, what was good?

Johnny Depp. I saw A&E's biography on Depp this past Saturday and it confirmed what I've thought for a while now: the man can do no wrong. Seriously, from Donnie Brasco to Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas to Finding Neverland he's a guaranteed good performance. He absolutely deserved his oscar nom for part 1. He's the heart and sould of these movies.

The special effects. If you thought part two looked good with the introduction of Davey Jones and his crew, this one will blow you away. The final battle inside a maelstrom is the stuff that will be remembered for a long time. I'm talking Indiana Jones giant boulder remembered...

Bill Nighy. It would have been so easy for Bruckheimer and Verbinski to get someone to phone in a voice performance for this character. After all, the effects make him look so good. But Nighy makes him human... so to speak...

Geoffrey Rush. The addition of Barbossa back to the cast was a great move. To me, he was almost as fun to watch as Captain Jack in this movie.

But...

I can see how it could be confusing. I didn't have any trouble keeping up, but I could see with the length of the movie and the multiple story arcs how others will. I think they could have possibly cut about 30 minutes out of the movie.

I just don't like what they've done with Will and Elizabeth. I can't really elaborate without spoiling things, but I don't think that their characters remain true to who they were in the first film. And, plain and simple, I just don't like these characters.

Dot dot dot. Of course they're going to leave room for more. How could I have possibly expected a clean ending to put a period at the end of the series?


And so, to Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End, I give the honor of being awarded a certified 3.5 Yarmulke™ rating.

I would say this is an opening night movie. Lots are saying it's better than two, but I think it's because it's the conclusion to the series and two was open ended. Careful taking the kiddies though. Lots of darkness and quite a lot more death and violence. Good times...