Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest

[Haggisboy]

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest is somewhat of a rarity these days; a film produced by a major Hollywood studio that actually delivers the goods. In fact, it’s been quite a stretch since I had such a rollicking good time watching a summer action flick.

Johnny Depp is in perfect form as the lovable scoundrel Jack Sparrow, the now mortal pirate captain of The Black Pearl. Reprising their roles from the original are Orlando Bloom as the swashbuckling Will Turner and Keira Knightley as heroine Elizabeth Swann.

In this second of three installments (more may be planned), Jack discovers that he must repay a blood dept to the infamous Davey Jones (Bill Nighy), the supernatural captain of The Flying Dutchman; a debt he has no intention of making good on.

Sure the film has plot holes galore, but none of them critical. Plus, the impressive action served up by director Gore Verbinski easily compensates for a few loose ends.

Two details in particular impressed me about this movie. The first was the folks at Disney’s willingness to pepper their movie with scenes of death and mayhem – albeit in a non-graphic manner. That’s saying something for the notoriously sanguine Disney, who have historically released movies containing such elements under one of their adult-themed subsidiary studios such as Touchstone or Miramax. The second was the amazingly “mature” realization of CGI in this film. Not since Jurassic Park have I witnessed such clever mating of computer animation with makeup and set design to deliver a seamless and totally credible fantasy world. Just watching the tentacled Davey Jones and the crustacean crew of the Dutchman is a treat for the eyes. Disney even has the vile Jones play tribute to another of their nautical film captains – Nemo (the Jules Verne creation, not the stupid fish) – in a magnificently staged pipe organ sequence.

Running an impressive 150 minutes, Dead Man’s Chest never once drags or left me glancing at my watch (unlike Superman Returns). It’s a big screen opus that pays direct homage to the cinematic swashbuckling antics of Douglas Fairbanks, and is guaranteed to enthrall young and old alike.

Easily the best film of the summer thus far.

[Glompbot]

This makes me happy, i liked the first movie, good to see this one hasn't gotten all craptastic like most sequels.

[damo]

A pretty decent followup to the original, although in the next one they had better explain how Geoffery Rush's character is able to make a grand return.

I distinctly recall him getting shot at the end of the original.

[pnkru`]

Seen the movie last night, it goes for three f*cking hours and you wont find out till the third one how Geoffery Rush's character is brought back but I'm guessing it has a bit to do with that voodoo woman, and that reminds me you actually see his boots when you go to her house... The first movie was better. The end. Xoxox

[annie]

Saw it earlier today, I enjoyed it. I saw some things that I thought were plot connectors for the 3rd one (such as the locket/design that kept appearing). I hadn't known that Bill Nighy was playing Davy Jones, but as soon as his character moved I could tell. He has this theatrical way of moving his head when he talks. But that's not really important. What is important is that I liked it, and I was very impressed with the CGI. Only one scene got me as badly done.

[Canalien]

and you're going to tell us which scene right?

I'd say Barbossa's return had something to do with him already being a zombie, mixed with a bit of Voodoo lady.

right at the end when the Kraken is about to eat Sparrow and he goes 'Hello Beastie' and then starts to swing his sword as he is being devoured... that was just bloody awesome.

It was interesting that Davy Jones never actually got killed or defeated at the end really... the EITC got his heart so I suppose he has to submit to their will, but the Kraken got Jack and Jones didn't perish. ah well, bring on the voyage to the underworld.

anyone else think it was a little odd how Elizabeth was so cold in sealing Jack's fate but then was all boo-hoo in the next scene?

[annie]

The scene was the bit just two seconds before what you just descibed with the hello beastie thingy. When the Kraken is coming up behind him.

Voodoo lady was difficult to understand in some places too..

[BtrFly]

i saw it, and i think it was a good film, but they could have left well enough alone. they saw how well the first one went, and went OOH we can make more money off this.

i enjoyed it, i like the 2 cowardly pirates, and how they are always trying to do "good", but by themselves. tehehe

[Canalien]

they saw how well the first one went, and went OOH we can make more money off this.

Welcome to Disney.

[Spades]

Welcome to Disney.

and he wodnerful world of wringing a good idea to death to keep the money rolling in - Alladdin 4 anyone?

[Buffy]

I thought it was awesome :cool: I agree about Bill Nighy annie, you could see him through the heavy cgi, it worked well :)

[Canalien]

loved that little *pop* he did with his mouth after Jack says "so we've established my offer is sound in principle, now we're just haggling over price"

"... Price? *pop*"

[annie]

loved that little *pop* he did with his mouth after Jack says "so we've established my offer is sound in principle, now we're just haggling over price"

"... Price? *pop*"

YES!! I had a *gigglesnort* moment when I heard that pop! People were looking at me weirdly, but that was an AWESOME noise! It still makes me giggle thinking about it.

[kiki]

The Bill Turner character was much stronger in this one...he is still a little weak for my liking...he ought to have gone over and whacked either Jack or the chick when they were kissing near the end...I know she had her reasosns but he just stood there and watched...

The visuals were mind-blowing....I loved the voodoo woman...overall an excellent movie!

[Canalien]

That'd be Will Turner you're talking about... Bill Turner was the one with the starfish growing out of his face.

Voodoo Woman was strangely arousing.

"I feel sullied and unusual."

[kiki]

That'd be Will Turner you're talking about... Bill Turner was the one with the starfish growing out of his face.

Voodoo Woman was strangely arousing.

"I feel sullied and unusual."

sorry of course Will :)

voodoo woman was way sexy

[ewe2]

arrrrr :)

will turner is the only nice guy in the film, when's he going to do the dirty and be a proper pirate? wooo knightley in bitch mode, about time. bill nighy made me laugh with his wicked connery impression. oh and btw kids, stay after the credits.

[annie]

I stayed after the credits, but I was mildly disappointed, I wanted something better :(

[BlueBoy]

Great movie. So much darker than the first one.

It's not hard to figure out how they brought Barbossa back if you think about it.

[Hippy Vindalou]

What happens after the credits? I didnt hang around that long. How come the monkey is still undead?
Loved the movie, the only bit I would change is the water wheel ride seemed to long. The story, action and acting were good enough that I never bothered looking for plot holes or paid attention to the unrealistic side of it all, I was to busy just enjoying it for what it was, but when that wheel just kept going and going I groaned a bit.

[Canalien]

What happens after the credits?

The cannibals make the dog Chief.

[ares]

Yes, nice film.

[gimpieman]

hurrrr still liked the first one better. more depth.

but im looking forward to the final one.

[Thyrd]

Great movie. So much darker than the first one.

It's not hard to figure out how they brought Barbossa back if you think about it.

I'd say it probably has something to do with someone like Tia Dalma bringing him back from Worlds End, just like they're going to do with Jack in the 3rd film.

[Artemisian]

Wasn't as good as the first one, but had some great fight scenes. Loved the big fight in the mill wheel, and the scene running from the cannibals. These movies deal with chaos very well.

Ended up disliking Keira Knightley's character a fair bit though. Tramp.

[jaay]

Barbossa's return, coupled with the completely uninteresting character of bootstrap bill, makes this movie shit, and makes the original movie look shit. If the third movie is anything but spectacular the trilogy will be shit.