Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003)
Directed by Gore Verbinski
Written by Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio, from a story by Ted Elliott, Terry Rossio, Stuart Beattie and Jay Wolpert
Starring Johnny Depp, Geoffrey Rush, Orlando Bloom and Keira Knightley
This film, based on a Disney theme park ride, turned out to be the surprise success of 2003. Set sometime in the 18th Century, the film details a pirate attack on Port Royal in Jamaica, which culminates in the kidnapping of Elizabeth Swann (Knightley), daughter of the town's governor. Apprentice blacksmith Will Turner (Bloom) is determined to save her, and so he enlists the help of flamboyant pirate captain Jack Sparrow (Depp), who it turns out used to be the captain of the Black Pearl, the pirate ship that attacked the town.
The film blends humour, action and fantasy into a very entertaining whole. It's very well-made with plenty of impressive special effects, and also impressive production design, which helps create a detailed and visually rich world for the adventures. The cast are well chosen, in particular Depp who manages to make his character both ridiculous and sometimes heroic at the same time (apparently he based his performance on legendary Rolling Stones star Keith Richards). Orlando Bloom is a little wooden but not bad, and Keira Knightley makes for a very engaging heroine. The script is amusing and has plenty of impressive action sequences. The main problem with the film is that it does drag occasionally, although mostly it is a very enjoyable piece.
Written by Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio, from a story by Ted Elliott, Terry Rossio, Stuart Beattie and Jay Wolpert
Starring Johnny Depp, Geoffrey Rush, Orlando Bloom and Keira Knightley
This film, based on a Disney theme park ride, turned out to be the surprise success of 2003. Set sometime in the 18th Century, the film details a pirate attack on Port Royal in Jamaica, which culminates in the kidnapping of Elizabeth Swann (Knightley), daughter of the town's governor. Apprentice blacksmith Will Turner (Bloom) is determined to save her, and so he enlists the help of flamboyant pirate captain Jack Sparrow (Depp), who it turns out used to be the captain of the Black Pearl, the pirate ship that attacked the town.
The film blends humour, action and fantasy into a very entertaining whole. It's very well-made with plenty of impressive special effects, and also impressive production design, which helps create a detailed and visually rich world for the adventures. The cast are well chosen, in particular Depp who manages to make his character both ridiculous and sometimes heroic at the same time (apparently he based his performance on legendary Rolling Stones star Keith Richards). Orlando Bloom is a little wooden but not bad, and Keira Knightley makes for a very engaging heroine. The script is amusing and has plenty of impressive action sequences. The main problem with the film is that it does drag occasionally, although mostly it is a very enjoyable piece.