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July 9, 2003
By Veronica Mixon
This film is just what we need! Pirates
of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black
Pearl is the right mix
of adventure, action and humor and a
breathe of fresh air amongst the explosive
sci-fi fantasies. Yes, a ghost tale
is just what we need!
Pirates of the Caribbean
stars Johnny Depp as Capt. Jack Sparrow,
a rather goofy pirate captain who has
the worst luck. When he lands in Port
Royal, looking for a ship to commandeer,
he meets the beautiful governor's daughter
Elizabeth (Keira Knightley) and the
love struck blacksmith's assistant,
Will Tanner (Orlando Bloom). Sparrow
is determined to retrieve his ship,
The Black Pearl that he lost when the
mutinous crew led by Barbossa (Geoffrey
Rush Finding Nemo ) stranded
him on an uncharted island. Unbeknownst
to Elizabeth, she's unleashed the last
clue of a curse and Barbossa and his
crew attack the peaceful coast hamlet
seeking a precious gold coin. When they
kidnap Elizabeth, Will joins Jack Sparrow
on a stolen ship. Governor Swann (Jonathan
Pryce Brazil) and the commander
of the military Norrington (Jack Davenport)
also follow.
Director Gore Verbinski's decision
to let Johnny Depp play Jack Swann as
a wobbly, slightly drunk pirate may
take some getting use to but ultimately
it works. Jack is not the kind of guy
who would remain sober through thick
and thin, and his character is a nice
contrast to the chaste, upright Will
Tanner. Keira Knightley, fresh from
the indie hit Bend It Like Beckham,
is pretty and she's a worth catch for
handsome Orlando Bloom (Tanner) who
must compete with Norrington for her
hand. It's the first romantic leading
role for Bloom who has thousands of
fans from The Lord of the
Ring series and is still trying
to make his mark. He is dashing and
possesses the same wholesome lustiness
that Jack Davenport (Norrington) had
in The Talented Mr. Ripley.
Despite the teen bop following, I predict
that Orlando Bloom's future work will
satisfy the adult female population
as well. Verbinski seems to like heroes
(Brad Pitt in The Mexican and
the hapless ex-husband in The Ring)
who aren't the standard brave and macho
types. Like Jack Sparrow, their fate
is determined not by the usual manly
brawn but pure luck!
Pirates of the Caribbean:
The Curse of the Black Pearl
actually ghosts are marvelous and there's
a marvelous sequence when they walk
along the ocean floor that's awesome.
The special effects work here is fantastic
because the skeletons truly reflect
the personalities of the actual pirates.
The various twists and turns of the
plot keep the audience on the edge of
their seats and the swashbuckling sword
play of Depp, Bloom and Rush is marvelous.
The film seems to be just the right
length - in other words, it's not too
long!
Pirates of the Caribbean:
The Curse of the Black Pearl
is truly entertaining!
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