Pirates Of The Caribbean - The Curse Of The Black Pearl (2003)

Average rating

(76%)

Starring:	Johnny Depp \| Orlando Bloom \| Keira Knightley \| Geoffrey Rush
Director:	Gore Verbinski
Studio:	WALT DISNEY HOME VIDEO
Run time:	138 mins
Collections:	100 Big Adventures \| 100 must-see movies
Genres:	Action/Adventure \| Family \| Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Languages:	English
Hearing-impaired:	English
Subtitles:	English
Released:	December 01, 2003

Loosely inspired by the a Disney theme-park ride, PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: THE CURSE OF THE BLACK PEARL is a swashbuckling high-seas tale directed by Gore Verbinski. When camp Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp), an eccentric rogue, arrives at Port Royal, he barely avoids going down with his ship. Soon enough, he's in the market for a new one, but not before he saves the life of Elizabeth Swann (Keira Knightley), the beautiful daughter of the governor (Jonathan Pryce). This act of bravery sets into motion a sweeping adventure involving Elizabeth's childhood friend, blacksmith Will Turner (Orlando Bloom); a mysterious medallion; and a legendary pirate ship, the Black Pearl. The Pearl's mottled Captain Barbossa (Geoffrey Rush) wants Elizabeth's doubloon necklace, and when she's kidnapped by the ol' salty dog and his crew, Sparrow and young Will must rescue her and find out the truth behind the ship's curse.
Verbinski's PIRATES is a welcome throwback to Hollywood offerings of yesteryear, filled with rope-swinging heroes, crusty villains, treasure hoards, swift swordplay, and even wittier wordplay. Screenwriters Terry Rossio and Ted Elliott have crafted one of the most clever action-movie scripts in many moons, and this gives the filmmakers and cast (especially Depp) plenty of room to cut loose. Although the skeletal pirates may be a bit frightening for small children, there's lots of humour to temper the scary moments, making PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: THE CURSE OF THE BLACK PEARL a nearly flawless fun film.

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Rating of 4 stars out of 5

As this box-office smash is based on one of Disney's most famous theme-park attractions, we might have expected a shiver-me-timbers swashbuckler that's short on plot and long on action. Not so. It delivers plenty of both. With producer Jerry Bruckheimer at the rudder, this lavish Hollywood voyage into pirate country effortlessly fills its two hours plus as blacksmith Orlando Bloom and governor's daughter Keira Knightley fall foul of cursed buccaneers. The real treasure comes courtesy of Oscar-nominated Johnny Depp, who delivers a swaggering, slurring, mascara-wearing turn as rascal Jack Sparrow, a seafaring rock-star type and an irresistible comic hero. Geoffrey Rush also milks his role to the hilt as an archetypal pirate captain, and some superb special effects reveal the skeletal curse of the Black Pearl's crew under moonlight. This is infinitely superior to the ride itself.

Rating of 1 stars out of 5
Halliwell's Film Guide

Over-long romp, based on a Disney theme-park ride, that wears out its welcome; it doesn't know when to end and takes a long time to start, but in between offers a few thrills.