Captain Jack Sparrow is caught up in another tangled web of supernatural intrigue. Although the curse of the Black Pearl has been lifted, an even more terrifying threat looms over its captain and scurvy crew: it turns out that Jack owes a blood debt to the legendary Davy Jones, Ruler of the Ocean Depths, who captains the ghostly Flying Dutchman, which no other ship can match in speed and stealth. Unless the ever-crafty Jack figures a cunning way out of this Faustian pact, he will be cursed to an afterlife of eternal servitude and damnation in the service of Jones. This startling development interrupts the wedding plans of Will Turner and Elizabeth Swann, who once again find themselves thrust into Jack's misadventures, leading to escalating confrontations with sea monsters, very unfriendly islanders, flamboyant soothsayer Tia Dalma and even the mysterious appearance of Will's long-lost father, Bootstrap Bill. Meanwhile, ruthless pirate hunter Lord Cutler Beckett of the East India Trading Company sets his sights on retrieving the fabled "Dead Man's Chest." According to legend, whoever possesses the Dead Man's Chest gains control of Davy Jones, and Beckett intends to use this awesome power to destroy every last Pirate of the Caribbean once and for all. For times are changing on the high seas, with businessmen and bureaucrats becoming the true pirates--and freewheeling, fun-loving buccaneers like Jack and his crew threatened with extinction.
The second movie in this very successful pirate trilogy was an enjoyable escape with a lot of campy action and humor. The trick is not to take this stuff too seriously, but just enjoy the amusing and swashbuckling antics of the characters. A lot of the action is a set-up for the 3rd movie, so you know upfront there are going to be some loose threads, mostly in the dynamic of the various relationships. When we begin our journey, it is with both Elizabeth (Keira Knightley) and Will Turner (Orlando Bloom) feeling a loyalty to Jack Sparrow (JOHNNY DEPP) that is severely tested throughout the movie. Jack is all about Jack, and he's gotten himself into a bind, what with swearing fealty to the one and only Davy Jones. Well it was only a matter of time before old Davy came to collect, and now Jack would do anything, including sacrificing his "friends" in order to save himself.
***SPOILER ALERT***SPOILER ALERT***SPOILER ALERT***SPOILER ALERT***
And there's all kinds of interesting chemistry going on. Elizabeth was all set to marry her true love Will when their plans were interrupted, but maybe it was just as well. In the age-old game of curiosity, Elizabeth discovers she has some unresolved tender feelings for the flamboyant and self-involved Jack, and even more surprising is he seems to have similar feelings towards her. Not that he'll let that stop him from carrying out his plans, yet it shows a more complex angle to Jack's nature than we are used to seeing. You don't see him getting all sentimental and romantic, and he certainly doesn't seem to have any guilt at the idea of betraying Will, who has shown more loyalty at keeping his promises than Jack ever will.
Another layer of complexity is that Will is not a milksop. He is an honorable man, one who has made his way in the world through hard work, is very sexy in his own right, and has earned the love of a good woman. Is Elizabeth that woman? We shall just have to wait til the sequel to find out, though who could blame her for being curious about Jack? Johnny Depp adds a touch of an effeminate yet intriguing air to Captain Sparrow, which leads you to believe he's seen and done things and has an even more uninhibited nature than you might associate with past portrayals of a pirate's lifestyle. There's definitely something rather seductive about a man who has all kinds of knowledge and experience that a woman may not normally find in her own life, and to think of being with such a man is pretty hot. At least I think it is *g*
***END OF SPOILERS***
In my opinion, the movie is mostly about enjoying the total hottie factor of Johnny Depp (okay, and yeah, Orlando Bloom). I admit to being a total JD fan; have been since his "21 Jump Street" days when he portrayed Tom Hanson, a more clean-cut character in that t.v. series. I think what makes Johnny Depp much more interesting than other good-looking actors is his willingness to get and be "ugly" or strange or even totally unlikeable. And he's so confident about it - he doesn't make excuses about what he does. He just does it. And that's very sexy. It's quintessential Johnny Depp. And I wouldn't want him any other way...well, except the whole smoking thing. That's not sexy, even if it's him. But I still love him. Just can't help myself.
So anyway, get ready to once again sail the high seas with Jack, Will, Elizabeth, and various other characters who will entertain and amuse you, and make you anxious for the 3rd installment. 2007 can't get here fast enough! I just might have to go see this one again....
posted by Stacy~ at 7/09/2006 12:15:00 PM
Stacy!
byThanks for sharing a great review!
However, I have to say this:
I didn't get to read it all.
That blasted left side bar is not stretched into the MIDDLE OF YOUR BLOG and hides most of what you've written!!!!
I don't know HTML so I can't help, but it is greatly affecting your viewers. I can't be the only one frustrated by being banished from seeing the total glory of your blog.
I have to refresh numerous times and try to read really fast just to get the gist of the post.
I hope you can find someone to solve this blogger puzzle for you Stacy ...
cuz I really wanted to know the full scoop of the new Pirate Movie!!
Arrrr!
Thanks,
I enjoyed this movie! It wasn't quite as good as the first, but still was a lot of fun. Less than a year til the 3rd movie:) Oh, and I might see this one again too. I saw the first one numerous times in the theater!
byHey Michele, don't know what's going on cuz I don't have any problems viewing it. Stupid blogger :( I don't know much about HTML either and my web designer is no longer available.
byI know some people click on the link under recent posts and are able to view the post w/o the sidebars...
Ah!
byOK, thanks for the tip.
Seems blogger is having PMS lately anyway. Posting pics has become a hit or miss - mostly miss.
Have an awesome Monday!
that was a great review! I skipped the spoilers. damn it I need to see this movie!!!!
byoh and only people using Internet Explorer have problems. if you use Firefox it all looks fine. I had to switch from IE to Firefox so I could read the review.
bythe coding is off
Good review, and I am having the same problem with the blog as the others, it is something that just started about a week ago for me......but then I am using Internet Explorer .... so went to the link to read.
byI so want to see this movie will have to seriously see about going to the theatre instead of waiting for the DVD release........