Amazon.co.uk Review
Take the first
Pirates of the Caribbean film, add a dash of
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea and a lot more rum. Shake well and you'll have something resembling
Dead Man's Chest, a bombastic sequel that's enjoyable as long as you don't think too hard about it. The film opens with the interrupted wedding of Will Turner (Orlando Bloom) and Elizabeth Swann (Keira Knightley), both of whom are arrested for aiding in the escape of Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) in the first film. Their freedom can only be obtained by getting Captain Jack's compass, which is linked to a key that's linked to a chest belonging to Davy Jones, an undead pirate with a tentacle face and in possession of a lot of people's souls. If you're already confused, don't worry--plot is definitely not the strong suit of the franchise, as the film excels during its stunt pieces, which are impressively extravagant (in particular a three-way swordfight atop a mill wheel). It may help to know that
Dead Man's Chest was filmed simultaneously with some of
Pirates 3, so don't expect a complete resolution (think more
The Empire Strikes Back) or the movie will feel a
lot longer than it really is.
Bloom shows a tad bit more brawn this time around, but he's still every bit as pretty as the tomboyish Knightley. (Seriously, sometimes you think they could swap roles.) Bill Nighy (Love, Actually) weighs in as Davy Jones and Stellan Skarsgård appears as Will's undead father. But the film still belongs wholly to Depp, who in a reprise of his Oscar-nominated role gets all the belly laughs with a single widened eyeliner-ed gaze. He still runs like a cartoon hen and slurs like Keith Richards--and he's still one of the most fascinating movie characters in recent history. --Ellen A. Kim
Synopsis
Shiver me timbers, Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp--
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,
Ed Wood) returns in this rip-roaring, sea-faring sequel to the colossal hit,
Curse of the Black Pearl. Reunited with Will Turner (Orlando Bloom--
Kingdom of Heaven,
Troy) and Elizabeth Swann (Keira Knightley--
Pride and Prejudice,
Domino), Sparrow must face his greatest adversary yet – the nautically naughty Davey Jones (Bill Nighy--
Love Actually,
The Girl in the Cafe). Directed by Gore Verbinski (
The Ring,
Mouse Hunt,
Dead Man's Chest) is every bit as exciting as its predecessor and sets the scene for part three in the trilogy,
At World's End.
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DVD ~ Johnny Depp
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Blu-ray ~ Will Smith
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