Oh how they roared in pain, the movie critics...
A pirate movie based on a Disneyland-ride? The horror!
Directed by Gore Verbinski? Shreek!
Produced by Jerry "Bigger! Bigger! Bigger!" Bruckheimer? Groan!
Johnny Depp in a mainstream movie? Insult! Insult!
This, they predicted, could only end in disaster. The writing guild bestowed on us previews which talked about certain doom and failure. Some even announced one of the biggest flops in movie history.
Sibyl Trelawney, anybody?
"Pirates of the Caribbean (The Curse of the Black Pearl)" is outstanding popcorn cinema - which was one of the main points of criticizm. Of course it never attempts to be Shakespeare - and why should it? This flick's got all it needs for a great night out at the movies: remarkable, original characters, even among the extras; hilarious jokes of the obvious and the not-so obvious kind (my favourite: "Mr Gillette - get the irons"); amazing special effects, beautiful costumes, swashbuckling, perfectly orchestrated fight scenes, love, adventure, drama, a strong heroine, a shipload full of baddies and the two most handsome actors available - you name it, it's got it.
"Pirates of the Caribbean" brings back the real, true entertaining romantic action movie, like last seen in "The Mummy", and, years ago, the "Indiana Jones" series. Everybody said that the genre of pirate movies was dead - but we all witness the glorious resurrection here.
The story in short:
Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) teams up with blacksmith Will Turner (Orlando Bloom) and his love, Elizabeth Swann (Kira Knightly), the governor's daughter. Jack wants his ship back, taken over in a mutiny by evil pirate Barbossa (Geoffrey Rush); Will wants to safe Elizabeth, who is held captive by Barbossa. The pirates are cursed, and believe that Elizabeth is the key to release them from their existence between life and death.
While all of the cast are worth watching, this is Johnny Depp's movie, from beginning to end. His "Jack Sparrow", modelled after the Rolling Stones' Keith Richards, is larger than life, and Depp blows you away with his performance. Yes, Jack sat in the sun too long - but he is shining brightly!
I can't remember the last time the audience cheered and wolf-whistled when a character appeared on screen (we sure added our share to the noise), an enthusiasm which carried all through the movie. Some viewers turned up in pirate-outfit. Some carried "Johnny we love you" posters, and they knew the script by heart (and yes, we also joined the "But why is the rum gone?!?" chorus). I felt all Rocky Horror Picture Show-like.
I hope somebody remembers to nominate Johnny Depp for an Academy Award for this tour de force - I can't remember ever having seen a screen loon like Captain Jack Sparrow, and such a loveable one. If you have the chance to see the original version, please do so - his unique way of talking and the slang used is a vital part of the character, a part which gets totally lost in a dubbed version.
No good movie without great baddies - here, all hails go to Geoffrey Rush as Barbossa, who manages to give the cursed pirate enough emotional depth to lift him above your regular off-the-shelf villain. At times, you will even feel sorry for him - almost.
A highlight was definitely Jack Davenport as Norrington - for once, the opponent of the hero is not the stereotypical "evil and sadistic Brit" Hollywood so often annoys us with, but a man of honour - how refreshing! Davenport plays him in a way that you, while being happy that 'boy gets girl' in the end, wouldn't have minded 'commodore gets girl', either.
A very positive surprise: Keira Knightley as Elizabeth Swann - for once not a silicone-enhanced Californian Beach Babe as Damsel in Distress, but a girl who can definitely look after herself. Keira Knightly is a wonderful pepperpot - we need more of them - please!
Then there is Orlando Bloom as Will Turner. He does a fine job as romantic lead, plays well off Depp, the sword fighting scenes are impressive and he even does have his moments of comedy - I adore his parody on Jack Sparrow. Bloom is at his best when he is allowed some irony, and if he was any more handsome, he'd need a license to go outside.
And that's the problem - they made him eye candy. An image-change took place; slowly, but surely, he has become the "dreamy artist" rather than the wilde childe: a romantic new age hero. It does not look like a natural development to me - I'm afraid Orlando Bloom has been turned into a well-selling merchandise. If this adorable creature is not very careful, his looks will be his downfall. Hollywood will chew him through and spit him out, and I'd hate to see this happen - I hope he will be given the chance to show some teeth and grow up artistically.
"Pirates of the Caribbean" was the smash hit of this Summer - it was an exceptionally hot evening (36°) when I went to see it, and the cinema was sold-out. As a matter of fact, there was a queue down main street and all around the corner. Not even "Lord of the Rings" managed this.
The only points of criticism I have:
1. For a movie playing in the "Caribbean", there were disappointingly little locals in this flick!
2. While I heartily agree with a happy-end, this one here was too sugary and predictable, the script for "Pirates II" lurking in the drawer too obvious. I almost expected Will and Elizabeth to wave Jack good-bye and call "see you in the sequel, mate!"
Summary: "Pirates of the Caribbean" is not-to-be missed, all around good fun with a high cult-potential. I have seen it three times and can't share the opinion of some critics that it was too "lengthy" - I wasn't bored for a second. Savvy? |
