| Loosely inspired by the time-honored
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
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 humor to temper the scary moments, making
PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: THE CURSE OF THE BLACK
PEARL a nearly flawless fun film. |
