Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003)

PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: THE CURSE OF THE BLACK PEARL A film review by David N. Butterworth Copyright 2003 David N. Butterworth

**1/2 (out of ****)

While no physical evidence exists that proves that 18th Century pirates actually growled lines like "Ahoy there matey" or "yo ho ho and a bottle of rum" or "mermaid off the port bow" (wait--that's another Disney film), you can be darned sure that just about every last one of the eye-popping, bone-cracking, flesh-peeling "Pirates of the Caribbean" utter some variation of those often bandied about phrases.

The film (aka "Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl"), which is purportedly based on Disney's "most popular attraction" (although perhaps not in Florida in February, when I last visited the theme park and stepped right onto the boat without so much as an "Ahhrr, mind y'step there matey"), is a pleasant surprise. Sure, there's plenty of swashbuckling (courtesy Johnny Depp and Orlando Bloom) and eye rolling (care of Geoffrey Rush) and bosom bulging (provided by Keira Knightley), as well as everything else you might have seen in your waterlogged Disney people mover as it slowly wound its way through a dark, subterranean cavern--vessels broad sided by canon fire, undesirables rotting in prison cells, ports pillaged and plundered, all backed by a soundtrack of explosions, accordion music, and equal parts screaming/laughter

But there's also more slapstick and a whole heck of a lot more fun in the big screen version, which is directed with panache and aplomb by "The Ring"'s Gore Verbinski. The film also features a central performance by Mr. Depp that's as outrageous as it is eccentric.

With two thin beaded braids dangling well below his chin and sporting enough mascara to sink the entire Spanish fleet, Depp's Captain Jack Sparrow certainly looks the part... but just wait until he opens his mouth! There are no "avast ye landlubbers" or "shiver me timbers" here. No. Instead, we get this half effeminate, half self-mocking drunken sailor, slurring his British-accented words as if he's been at the grog a little too early. Depp's performance, one he clearly appears to relish, is so over the top it actually works.

Orlando Bloom, hot off the "'Lord of the Rings" franchise, plays his occasional ally Will Turner with grace and style and, girls take note, as a brunette! Rush (Frida, Quills) hams it up as the crumbling Barbossa, undead captain of Sparrow's former ship the Black Pearl and Knightley ("Bend it Like Beckham") plays the spunky heroine whose blood, perhaps, can lift an ancient curse. Her Elizabeth Swann isn't as tough (initially) as Rachel Weisz's character in the "'Mummy" series (a film this one most closely resembles in terms of production values, special effects, and overall tone), but none too shabby as corset-wearing damsels in distress go.

The film has a little more plot than the theme park ride (not necessarily a good thing) and at 143 minutes could have been trimmed considerably (it starts to get repetitive in the later stages). But it's easier to take than "The Country Bears."

A rousing action/adventure yarn that never takes itself seriously, "Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl" is a rollicking way to wile away a couple of air conditioned hours, with Johnny Depp's outlandishness significantly more entertaining than the endless--and pointless--swordplay.

--
David N. Butterworth
dnb@dca.net

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X-RT-TitleID: 1123873
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X-RT-RatingText: 2.5/4