A Comprehensive and Unnecessary Look at "Pirates of the Caribbean" *SOME SPOILERS*
I am the queen of skepticism when it comes to movies, more so when the premise sounds idiotic. I went to Disneyworld in 1999, and went on the "Pirates of the Caribbean" ride, so my reaction to hearing of the first movie was "A movie based on a theme park ride? Get the fuck out of here." However, when I learned that Johnny Depp and Geoffery Rush, whom I love, would both be in the movie, I forced myself to go, stating that no matter how bad it sucked, those two would make it alright.
I learned that day to never judge a movie by it's title.
"Curse of the Black Pearl" is fantastic in every way. Amazing effects, great story, terrific battles, and of course, it's hysterically funny. Jack Sparrow has to be added among the plethora of immortally awesome movie characters. I never could have expected to enjoy the movie so much, but it's now in my top ten favorites.
Considering how successful it was, I guess it was no suprise to anyone that not one, but two sequels were being made. My skeptical nature briefly returned, but I saw "Dead Man's Chest" anyway. And all skepticism washed away in the first few minutes. Once again, everything was fantastic. I know a lot of people complain about the length, but I don't find it that long at all. (Mind you, I've sat through marathons of all three extended versions of the "Lord of the Rings" movies.) I loved how the movie included pieces of pirate folklore and wrapped everything in a neat and pretty package. All other things aside, the movie is really pure eye-candy.
And then the ending. In the same vein of "Empire Strikes Back", "Dead Man's Chest" ends in a shocking manner that no one quite saw coming (not even the actors, apparently). I remember my jaw dropping about five feet. "Wait...Jack's dead and Barbossa's alive?! What the pfargtl?!" It's one of those endings that leaves you confused and screaming and begging for more.
I first saw the trailer for "At World's End" when I saw "300" eariler this year. As if I wasn't pumped enough for half-naked Spartan battling, the visuals in the trailer made part of my brain explode. Even just the posters told me that this finale was going to be awesome.
And baby, I was NOT disappointed.
Half the time, the third movie in a franchise never does as well as it's predecessors, and is generally viewed as a disappointment. (Some examples off the top of my head: "Godfather Part 3, Terminator 3, Halloween 3, Shrek the Third, etc.) But "At World's End" is every bit as fantastic as the others. I'm not going to spoil too much, but I just want to mention some things about the characters and why I love them. If you've seen the movie, you'll know what I mean. If you haven't, GO SEE IT DAMMIT.
Tia Dalma- I knew it. I fucking knew it. I knew it, I knew it, I KNEW IT. (Don't know what I mean? Go see the movie.)
Will Turner- Of all the protaganists, Will's always been my least favorite. Maybe it's because he's played by Orlando Bloom, or maybe it's because he's a pansy, I don't know. All I DO know is, I liked him a lot better in AWE than the others. Sure, he's still a pansy and he's still a MORON, but he's letting his inner pirate shine through, and I must say I'm quite pleased.
Davey Jones- Davey Jones is an oddly tragic character because when you look at it, he brought all this crap upon himself. It's hard to feel sorry for him, but you do get your twinges when he has his moments of pain. I think this is in part due to Bill Nighy's beautifully expressive eyes.
Elizabeth Swann- Elizabeth completes her transition from damsel-in-distress to hard-ass warrior in AWE. I love Elizabeth's character because she defies the conventions of proper women, even in her damsel mode. She's tough, she's smart, she's brave, and she takes shit from no one. This is emphasized even more in AWE, and Elizabeth kicks so much more ass than in "Dead Man's Chest", which really is saying something. That having been said, however, I officially dub her Poison Ivy. (I'll explain if you're confused)
Hector Barbossa- I love Barbossa to an unhealthy level. When I realized he was coming back for AWE, I was ecstatic. I adore how Barbossa's so different and yet so similar to Jack. Jack likes to think on his feet, while Barbossa prefers to have everything planned out. Hence, the two spend three quarters of the movie bickering. Never violently though. It's more like a recently divorced couple. Which, all things considered, is actually appropriate.
Pintel and Ragetti- Boys, just make out already. We know you want to.
Jack Sparrow- Ah Jack Sparrow. The glue that holds these movies together. I can't say too much about Jack without revealing too much plot, but I will say that he's gone significantly more cukoo than before.
Now then, to finalize this little post, I'd like to say the following:
If you haven't seen "At World's End" yet, GO FUCKING SEE IT.
I learned that day to never judge a movie by it's title.
"Curse of the Black Pearl" is fantastic in every way. Amazing effects, great story, terrific battles, and of course, it's hysterically funny. Jack Sparrow has to be added among the plethora of immortally awesome movie characters. I never could have expected to enjoy the movie so much, but it's now in my top ten favorites.
Considering how successful it was, I guess it was no suprise to anyone that not one, but two sequels were being made. My skeptical nature briefly returned, but I saw "Dead Man's Chest" anyway. And all skepticism washed away in the first few minutes. Once again, everything was fantastic. I know a lot of people complain about the length, but I don't find it that long at all. (Mind you, I've sat through marathons of all three extended versions of the "Lord of the Rings" movies.) I loved how the movie included pieces of pirate folklore and wrapped everything in a neat and pretty package. All other things aside, the movie is really pure eye-candy.
And then the ending. In the same vein of "Empire Strikes Back", "Dead Man's Chest" ends in a shocking manner that no one quite saw coming (not even the actors, apparently). I remember my jaw dropping about five feet. "Wait...Jack's dead and Barbossa's alive?! What the pfargtl?!" It's one of those endings that leaves you confused and screaming and begging for more.
I first saw the trailer for "At World's End" when I saw "300" eariler this year. As if I wasn't pumped enough for half-naked Spartan battling, the visuals in the trailer made part of my brain explode. Even just the posters told me that this finale was going to be awesome.
And baby, I was NOT disappointed.
Half the time, the third movie in a franchise never does as well as it's predecessors, and is generally viewed as a disappointment. (Some examples off the top of my head: "Godfather Part 3, Terminator 3, Halloween 3, Shrek the Third, etc.) But "At World's End" is every bit as fantastic as the others. I'm not going to spoil too much, but I just want to mention some things about the characters and why I love them. If you've seen the movie, you'll know what I mean. If you haven't, GO SEE IT DAMMIT.
Tia Dalma- I knew it. I fucking knew it. I knew it, I knew it, I KNEW IT. (Don't know what I mean? Go see the movie.)
Will Turner- Of all the protaganists, Will's always been my least favorite. Maybe it's because he's played by Orlando Bloom, or maybe it's because he's a pansy, I don't know. All I DO know is, I liked him a lot better in AWE than the others. Sure, he's still a pansy and he's still a MORON, but he's letting his inner pirate shine through, and I must say I'm quite pleased.
Davey Jones- Davey Jones is an oddly tragic character because when you look at it, he brought all this crap upon himself. It's hard to feel sorry for him, but you do get your twinges when he has his moments of pain. I think this is in part due to Bill Nighy's beautifully expressive eyes.
Elizabeth Swann- Elizabeth completes her transition from damsel-in-distress to hard-ass warrior in AWE. I love Elizabeth's character because she defies the conventions of proper women, even in her damsel mode. She's tough, she's smart, she's brave, and she takes shit from no one. This is emphasized even more in AWE, and Elizabeth kicks so much more ass than in "Dead Man's Chest", which really is saying something. That having been said, however, I officially dub her Poison Ivy. (I'll explain if you're confused)
Hector Barbossa- I love Barbossa to an unhealthy level. When I realized he was coming back for AWE, I was ecstatic. I adore how Barbossa's so different and yet so similar to Jack. Jack likes to think on his feet, while Barbossa prefers to have everything planned out. Hence, the two spend three quarters of the movie bickering. Never violently though. It's more like a recently divorced couple. Which, all things considered, is actually appropriate.
Pintel and Ragetti- Boys, just make out already. We know you want to.
Jack Sparrow- Ah Jack Sparrow. The glue that holds these movies together. I can't say too much about Jack without revealing too much plot, but I will say that he's gone significantly more cukoo than before.
Now then, to finalize this little post, I'd like to say the following:
If you haven't seen "At World's End" yet, GO FUCKING SEE IT.