Movie Review: Pirates of the Caribbean - The Curse of the Black Pearl

Stars: 5 out of 5

Pros: Great adventure story with lots of humor

Cons: None

The Bottom Line:

High seas ghost story

Filled with action and humor

Pirate's life for me

"You Best Start Believe in Ghost Stories.  You're in One."

Ok, ok, I admit it. I was a skeptic. How in the world could they turn a ride from Disneyland into a good movie? But, being the DisNerd that I am, I went to see Pirates Of The Caribbean: The Curse Of The Black Pearl, and I immediately fell in love.

Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) is needing a new ship, so he sails into Port Royal. Being a pirate, he fully intends to steal one. He doesn't quite get away with it, however, and winds up in jail.

That night, more pirates attack Port Royal. But, instead of trying to free Captain Jack, they kill, pillage, and kidnap the governor's daughter, Elizabeth Swann (Keira Knightley). Seems she has something they want.

This doesn't sit well with Will Turner (Orlando Bloom). He and Elizabeth have been friends since they were kids and he secretly loves her. Despite his hatred of pirates, he makes a deal with Captain Jack to hunt down the Black Pearl and free Elizabeth.

What Will and Elizabeth don't realize is there is a very real curse on the crew of the Black Pearl. They believe Elizabeth is their only hope of lifting it, so they will stop at nothing to do just that.

This movie works on every level. While the story starts a little slowly, once the port is attacked, things pick up and the pace never lags. The climax is a tad too long, but that's being nit picky. Along the way we get some great swordplay, a couple double crosses, a few twists, and plenty of action.

Johnny Depp as Captain Jack completely steals the show. Not only is he given the best lines, but he delivers them so well. Every scene he is in guarantees at least one laugh.

That's not to diminish the work the other actors do. Orlando Bloom and Keira Knightly are also fantastic and do get their own share of memorable lines. Geoffrey Rush makes a great villain with his portrayal of Captain Barbossa. The supporting cast is fine as well.

The movie doesn't forget its roots. There are loads of references to the famous ride including the song "A Pirates Life for Me," and the line "Dead men tell no tales." My favorite was the prisoners trying to attract the attention of the dog holding the key. (Jack's line "That dog is never going to move" absolutely slays me.) While they are fun for those familiar with the ride to spot, familiarity with the ride isn't essential to understanding the movie. These bits add to the fun, but the story doesn't hinge on them.

And I must mention the special effects. There are lots of living skeletons in this film, and they look great. A little dated looking already three years later, but again it's being nit picky. This film could not have been made any earlier and had the same level of effectiveness. The special effects blend seamlessly into the film. And, most importantly, they support the story being told, not the other way around.

While based on a Disney ride, this film is a rather scary ghost story with lots of violence. Take the PG-13 rating seriously and view it to make sure your kids will enjoy it before you let them see it.

Having said that, Pirates Of The Caribbean: The Curse Of The Black Pearl is a wonderful film for teens and adults. It's got adventure, humor, and romance all rolled into one.