Genre: Action/Adventure/Comedy
Director: Gore Verbinski
Starring: Johnny Depp, Orlando Bloom and Keira Knightley
RunTime: 2 hrs 30 mins
Released By: BVI
Rating: PG

Opening Day: 13 July 2006

Synopsis :

The sequel to the blockbuster trilogy starring Johnny Depp, Orlando Bloom and Keira Knightley.

Movie Review:


An effective summer blockbuster has one main task – to entertain. Filmmakers have many tried-and-tested methods up their sleeves to make you pay for that cinema ticket, just to get yourself entertained. Big sets, big names and big budgets are just some of them.

Oh, did we hear someone ask: What about the storyline and character development? Well, if the movie is marketed as a summer popcorn flick, its job is done as long as it makes us suitably entertained. This sequel to the successful 2003 movie inspired by a Disneyland theme park ride does just that; and much, much more.

The tagline “Captain Jack is back” about sums up the plot of this movie. The well-loved Johnny Depp reprises his role as Captain Jack Sparrow, who realizes that he owes his soul to Captain Davy Jones. In order to save himself, he brings his old pals Will Turner (a scruffy-looking Orlando Bloom) and Elizabeth Swann (Keira Knightley trying her best to act tough and rough) along for the ride filled with misadventures.

Not a terribly original and innovative storyline, you say? Wait till you experience every exhilarating minute of the two-and-a-half-hour movie: you’d be enthralled by how everything comes at you in a fast and furious mode.

The first 20-odd minutes of the show pick up pace gradually, before the movie launches into its first engaging segment where Captain Jack tries to escape from a group of cannibals. Like a proven-workable formula, this scene throws in thrills, comedy and action to great effect.

After that, the movie conveniently compartmentalizes itself into its various scenes: the appearance of Captain Davy Jones and his ghostly crew, the unleashing of the monstrous sea-monster Kraken and the escape of Elizabeth Swann, just to name a few. This makes easy following for viewers, who may also be busy nibbling on their popcorn.

While some may be uncomfortably overwhelmed by the movie’s cliché-ridden story and its torturous length, we are particularly impressed with its production value. Other than the magnificent ships and the glorious Bahamas islands, the prosthetic department deserves special mention creating Captain Davy Jones’ creepy look. His crew of sea creatures is a disturbing bunch of misfits as well. Trust the House of Mouse to allow something so unsettling and spine-chilling.

Needless to say, Depp delivers an amusing performance inspired by the legendary Keith Richards. While Bloom and Knightley play their roles decently, the supporting cast (including Lee Arenberg and Mackenzie Cook reprising their roles as the slapstick duo from the original movie) playing Captain Jack’s crew is a joy to watch as well.

And then there is the sinister Bill Nighy, who performed his role of Captain Davy Jones in motion capture suit before the character was re-created entirely by computer effects. The creature’s voice and mannerisms are so signature of the UK actor; you’d think Nighy personifies the scary villain perfectly.

Besides the dull and frightening hues you’d experience during scenes dealing with Captain Davy Jones, the rest are fun and bright, especially when they involve Captain Jack. With Depp’s effortless portrayal of the flamboyant pirate, these are the most entertaining parts of the movie.

As you’d already know, the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise will conclude with its third chapter “At World’s End” next summer. Hence, you will not be surprised when the movie shifts gear into a “surprise twist” cliffhanger during its last 20-odd minutes.

However, there is still a bizarre sense of personal engagement, especially with Captain Jack’s eventual fate at the end of this movie. You are actually looking forward to the next installment in 2007. And that is after you have been duly entertained for two-odd hours. Yes, at this point, you know that this big-budget movie boasting big names and big sets is definitely one effective summer blockbuster.

Movie Rating:

(An entertaining finale to this year’s summer blockbuster season, this sequel is one satisfying and thrilling ride)

Review by John Li