Review: POTC: At World’s End
May 25, 2007 | Filed under Reviews
It seems as though “Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End” was created with one simple purpose in mind: to put as much Jack Sparrow as possible in the movie. Considering the fact that Johnny Depp is very very easy on the eyes in what will in future clearly be seen as his career-defining role, the purpose itself isn’t at fault – rather, it’s the butchering of the plotline in order to fulfill this purpose that would confuse most audiences.
Stones that turn into crabs, crabs that turn into stones, a million different incarnations of Jack Sparrow (shirt on, shirt off, jacket on, jacket off, bandanna on, bandanna off…) manning the Black Pearl? It all adds up to one very strange dream-like sequence where the audience is left baffled and disoriented. The movie would have done well to find a less confusing way of depicting Jack’s flighty and fragile state of mind.
The other main characters are almost grotesquely overcharacterised. The super-thin Keira Knightley retains at all times, an air of superiority and the British stiff upper lip which goes against how Elizabeth Swann would have been best portrayed – as a fiery and passionate girl-woman unexpectedly thrust into the midst of the action. Orlando Bloom is good eye candy and nothing more. You can’t help but wish that he would stop overdramatising and just act naturally. Geoffrey Rush would have been perfect if only his Barbossa (who was surprised when they found out his name was Hector?) had refrained from saying “Arrrr” at the end of every sentence.
I’ve always felt that it was the supporting characters that make this trilogy the success it has been and this last installment is no exception. Who loves Jack the monkey? Who loves the two dopey soldiers? Who loves the skinny one-eyed pirate? Yeah, you know it. These are the characters that make these movies a success.
The special effects were, as expected, incredible. Would you have expected anything less of a movie that boasts a sea battle in a whirlpool as its climax? However, it seems as though the movie was written in such a way as to create all that many more opportunities to show off Disney’s superb special effects team, rather than written in a coherent fashion. One could sum up the philosophy of the movie as “Less talk, more action”.
With all that said and done however, the fact still remains that this is an enjoyable movie in an enjoyable trilogy. You’re not supposed to think when you watch this movie. You’re supposed to sit back, eat popcorn, drink Coke, and imagine yourself as a devilishly charming and camp Jack Sparrow sword-fighting with the evil Davy Jones on the ship’s rigging. This movie is about fantasy and taking oneself back to one’s childhood when you could be a pirate, or anything else you wanted to be.
Be a child. Watch it through child’s eyes. You won’t be disappointed.
14 Responses to Review: POTC: At World’s End
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Poops.
Everyone who has seen it thus far has given it a mixed review.
I don’t know if I want to spend the $20 to go and see it now when I can just wait a few months and pay $1 at the video store. :P
Nellie on May 25, 2007 #
Why does everyone seem to be putting these Math spam filters? I hate Math! >:(
I didn’t get the story all that much, but I had a lot of great laughs, and that’s good enough for me. I can recount a handful of comedic moments and still chuckle over them.
Aravis on May 25, 2007 #
I watched it today too~ I can watch it over and over again hehe
Chien Yee on May 25, 2007 #
I really enjoyed it – who cares if the acting’s not Oscar-worthy? It’s a good thing that there’s lots of Jack! When he was hallucinating, I was drooling…
Anyway, I second your opinion – the special effects were incredible. The whirlpool was amazing.
I will admit that the part with Jack in Davy Jones’ locker was slightly strange…especially when it was introduced by a giant sniffing nose!
Laura on May 25, 2007 #
I’ll be seeing this movie, regardless of what anyone says. I may have been late to the PotC party, but I’m staying until I get kicked out, dammit!
Josh on May 26, 2007 #
I want to go see it. *stamps foot*
Amber on May 26, 2007 #
After seeing the first one, I doubt I’ll even rent this third one. My love for Orli is gone and I can no longer stand to hear any more Captain Sparrow impersonations… it’s come to the point where I’ve even grown to dislike Johhny Depp for it.
Or maybe I will for laughs. Okay, maybe I will.
It’s all just to capitalize on something and make even more money. I think it’s silly. But then what isn’t these days, right?
Rafia on May 26, 2007 #
Your site ate my comment because I forgot to answer the math question.
I cannot read this entry because I HAVE NOT WATCHED THE MOVIE.
I will return to it.
Sabrina on May 26, 2007 #
I’m perfectly happy to go see it expecting it to be a really fun movie. I don’t expect a whole lot from summer action movies. :) Thanks for the review, I was waffling, but it sounds like it’ll be about what I expected.
Jack on May 26, 2007 #
My mum has the hots for Johnny Depp. Then again, what woman doesn’t… Bastard.
You know… I have a striking resemblance to Johnny Depp..
Well not really. Gross. Imagine my mum having the hots for me. Incestral bitch. I do, however, plan to see this. And I plan to stalk Keira Knightley.
Paddy on May 26, 2007 #
Paddy, you don’t need to look like Johnny Depp for anyone to have the hots for you ;)
Nellie on May 26, 2007 #
It was fucking amazing and verrrry spectacular. The special effects, visual, eye candy = omg.
But yeah, the plot bit of it kind of blowed. :P
Jenny on May 27, 2007 #
Remember that tour guide from my trip to a university? He resembled Orlando Bloom in some angles!
Anyway … I might watch it this weekend, so we’ll see.
Jennii on May 27, 2007 #
The main characters were rather boring… though as per usual I love Jack Sparrow.
However Jack the monkey was brilliant… and so was the parrot. And those two idiot soldiers were just as funny as the first time.
My favorite scene: Elisabeth and Will getting married, Barbossa’s answeres :P
1) I’m a little busy right now
2) We’re gathered here so I can kill you all
3) You may kiss…[fights] you may kiss…[fights] just kiss!
Vera on May 28, 2007 #