Amazon.co.uk Review
The movie that helped breathe new life into the summer blockbuster, the success of
Pirates Of The Caribbean: Curse Of The Black Pearl is remarkable for several reasons. Firstly, theres the unlikely source material. Theres no previous history of theme park rides inspiring major hit movies, yet thats just whats happened here. Secondly, theres the patchy performance of pirate-related movies over the years (does anyone remember seeing
Cutthroat Island in a cinema?). And then theres that performance from Johnny Depp, the one that had Disney executives in a flap prior to the release of the movie. His Captain Jack Sparrow is a fantastic, unlikely creation, proving to be both unpredictable yet utterly compelling. Such is his impact on the film that its hardly surprising Depp snared an Oscar nomination for the role.
Yet Depps performance shouldnt blind anyone to the films many other qualities. The supporting cast, particularly the likes of Geoffrey Rush, Jack Davenport and Jonathan Pryce are all clearly having a whale of a time, while Gore Verbinskis pacey yet controlled direction rarely lets the momentum slow. And with all their work grounded by a quality script and worthwhile story, the end result is a film that clicks in many, many different ways.
Of course, its now proved the inspiration for a pair of sequels, yet no matter how they turn out, Pirates Of The Caribbean: Curse Of The Black Pearl will always stand as a quite brilliant example of what happens on those rare occasions when Hollywood blockbusters get it absolutely right. And its a treat that can easily be enjoyed time after time. --Simon Brew
Product Description
Johnny Depp, Keira Knightly, Orlando Bloom, Geoffrey RushDirector: Jerry Bruckheimer