piratesofthecaribbean3

THE SYNOPSIS

THE CRITIQUE

Aaaaaaarghhhhhhh, mee mateys!!!

Since there’s so much to say about this movie, I shall break down my comments into categories:

Acting

One thing I really like about this threequel is that all of the main characters are back--as well as the thespians who portray them. Hell, even peripheral characters and those who perished in the original return!

Once again, Johnny Depp steals the show as the randy, cunning Capt. Jack Sparrow. Orlando and Keira are also on cool detail while one of my favorite character actors, Stellan Skarsgård, makes his sepulchral appearance as the undead Bootstrap Bill Turner.

Sharing in the acting kudos is terrific English actor Bill Nighty as the calamari-faced Davy Jones. The character should be the mascot for the Red Lobster seafood chain--just a thought...

Direction

POTC: COTBP/DMC helmer Gore Verbinski returns to the high seas in fine form here. Continuing the shenanigans and adventures of wonderful characters gives this dude something to work with and is a fine rebound from 2005’s The Weather Man (he also directed 2002’s The Ring & 2001’s The Mexican).

Screenplay

Also returning to the crow’s nest (as it were) are the first 2 movies’ screenwriting team of Ted Elliott & Terry Rossio (these cats are a hitmaking machine, churning out scripts for such hits as Shrek, The Mask Of Zorro and Aladdin). If that pedigree wasn’t enough, their smooth writing keeps the movie glued to a well-worn-yet-solid formula of pirate movie ethos mixed in with some timely political garble. And all this based on a Disney theme ride!

Cinematography

Yet again, my hats go off to veteran Polish cinematographer Dariusz Wolski (Pirates Of The Caribbean: Curse Of The Black Pearl/Dark City/The Fan) for his handsome and visceral widescreen-lensing. Gorgeous photography, elegant framing and composition (of course, with the director’s input) and seamless integration with SFX will surely invoke an Oscar© nom for Wolski.

Production Design/Location

Further props are in order for the excellent production design, spearheaded by terrific PD Rick Heinrichs (Lemony Snicket’s A Series Of Unfortunate Events/HULK/Sleepy Hollow). Not only was he and his team responsible for designing dozens of sets, ships and props--but everything was basically put to some real use out in the Caribbean locations. Give this guy an Oscar© nom on behalf as well!

For the record, the movie was shot in on location in the Caribbean islands of The Bahamas, Dominica, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, as well as in California. Top drawer, every bit of it!

Editing/Music

POTC: AWE exhibits some crisp cutting thanks to returning POTC editors Stephen Rivkin (Stealth/Ali/Swordfish) and Craig Wood (The Weather Man/The Ring/The Mexican).

The musical score is courtesy of Teutonic composer Hans Zimmer (Oscar©-winner for The Lion King/also composed Batman Begins/Gladiator/Black Rain)--and it’s a rousing, shanty-filled symphony.

Costumes

Returning for duty in the costume design department are POTC: COTBP’s Liz Dann & Penny Rose. As with the first, the costumes are exquisite and totally add to the show’s mise-en-scene. I smell another Oscar© nom!

SFX

Gotta mention this category, as it is flawless! Firms like ILM, The Asylum, Tippett Studios and other s are all involved. Easily another Oscar© nom in the making--and if there is...who gets it?

If there is anything negative to say about this sequel, is that it runs a bit long. But like a plethora of favorite relatives who come by for an afternoon BBQ, it all looks, smells and tastes good!

THE BOTTOM LINE

What’s not to like? The cast’s back; the filmmakers are back; the lensing is superior; Keira’s hot. I cannot complain! Here’s hoping that Part 3 will bring about a rousing conclusion. Face it, this flick kicks ass! Now where did I put that eyepatch, bottle of rum and peg-leg?

CAST: Johnny Depp, Orlando Bloom, Keira Knightley, Jack Davenport, Bill Nighy, Jonathan Pryce, Lee Arenberg, MacKenzie Crook, Tom Hollander, Stellan Skarsgard, Naomie Harris

CREDITS: Director: Gore Verbinski; Screenwriters: Ted Elliott & Terry Rossio, based on characters created by: Ted Elliott, Terry Rossio, Stuart Beattie & Jay Wolpert; Producer: Jerry Bruckheimer; Director of Photography: Dariusz Wolski; Production Designer: Rick Heinrichs; Editors: Craig Wood & Stephen Rivkin; Costume Designer: Penny Rose; Music: Hans Zimmer

AC/V 2007 151m ENGLISH