Pirates Of The Caribbean Trilogy [DVD] [2003]

The trilogy starts off with the best of the three films. The Curse Of The Black Pearl is a superb piece of blockbuster movie making, delivering lots of laughs, some fabulous set pieces and a core of good, old-fashioned swashbuckling action. With a terrific supporting cast, led by the likes of Geoffrey Rush, Orlando Bloom and Keira Knightley, its running time simply zips by in a flash, and there’s plenty of incentive to hit the play button again once the credits roll.

The second movie in the series, Dead Man’s Chest was more commercially successful, but it’s not quite as strong a film. Nonetheless, there’s still plenty to enjoy, including Bill Nighy’s stunning Davy Jones (the special effects there are something to behold). And it earns extra bonus points for a terrific final twist in the end reel.

And then we arrive at the closing part of the trilogy, At World’s End. This is arguably the most bloated, with a nigh-on three hour running time, but it does pack a lot in. Multiple Johnny Depps for starters, along with some terrific action too.

While the three parts of the Pirates of the Caribbean trilogy may thus be a little uneven, its nonetheless a collection of films with plenty to recommend. The first part sails away with the top honours, but there’s little doubt that all three are set to entertain audiences for many years to come. --Jon Foster

Synopsis
Box set containing all three of the blockbusting and swashbuckling Pirates of the Caribbean series - The Curse of the Black Pearl, Dead Man's Chest and At World's End.

The Curse of the Black Pearl was where the Pirates of the Caribbean phenomenon began. Loosely inspired by the a Disney theme-park ride, it is a swashbuckling high-seas tale starring Johnny Depp as camp Captain Jack Sparrow an eccentric rogue who saves the life of Elizabeth Swann (Keira Knightley), the beautiful daughter of the governor (Jonathan Pryce). This act of bravery sets into motion a sweeping adventure involving Elizabeth's childhood friend, blacksmith Will Turner (Orlando Bloom); a mysterious medallion; and a legendary pirate ship, the Black Pearl. A welcome throwback to Hollywood offerings of yesteryear, filled with rope-swinging heroes, crusty villains, treasure hoards, swift swordplay, and even wittier wordplay, The Curse of the Black Pearlis a nearly flawless family film.

Depp returns to reprise his role in sequel Dead Man's Chest. Reunited with Will Turner (Orlando Bloom) and Elizabeth Swann (Keira Knightley), Captain Sparrow must face his greatest adversary yet – the nautically naughty Davey Jones (Bill Nighy). 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. This final part of the Pirates of the Caribbean trilogy was filmed back to back with Dead Man's Chest and again sees Depp, Knightley and Bloom team up for some swashbuckling action.

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