A curséd ship. A flamboyant pirate, a handsome young man with a mysterious past, a beautiful and naive young lady, an enthusiastic Captain and Governor of the British Empire all clash.
What more could you want?
An undead monkey? Err… …okay.
Will Turner (Dylan Smith) is rescued by the ship taking Governor Swann (Jonathan Pryce) and his daughter Elizabeth (Lucinda Drysek) to his new posting in the Caribbean. When Elizabeth finds a strange, skull-head medallion on the young boy she fears he’s a pirate and will be hung. She steals and conceals the golden disk.
It isn’t until many years later, both grown up, that the significance of this event becomes clear to any of those involved.
With the arrival of Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) into Port Royal and the subsequent, coincidental rescuing of Miss Swann (Kiera Knightley), The Black Pearl is called to the harbour by the gold medallion.
Before it arrives there is just enough time for Jack to be captured by Will (Orlando Bloom) before the town is overrun by Captain Barbossa (Geoffrey Rush) and his, unique, crew.
Excellent cast, excellent script, excellent setting, excellent effects.
Gosh, short review?
Nah!
This has to be the best movie based on a fairground ride – surely?
The humour is self-knowing, which if you’ve been following my reviews you’ll realise I appreciate. Combined with the superb stunt work, especially Jack’s first escape, the special effects call this movie to be watched. Stereotyped and exaggerated? Yes, and to wonderful effect. Disney back at the top of their game with this movie.
All the five leads obviously enjoy their roles, or they’re the best actors in history, and Johnny Depp stands out, revelling in a role he seems born to play. Support isn’t lacking with special mention to Jack Davenport as Norrington and Kevin McNally as Jack’s ever present 1st officer Gibbs, but you cannot ignore the wonderful work of Giles New, Angus Barnett, Lee Arenberg, and Mackenzie Crook.
Altogether the film is a delightful piece of theatre. Don’t think I can fault it really.
Feel free to comment if you have any thoughts.
Things to look out for: shipwreck flotsam, Jack’s first arrival, Jack’s first escape, the curse reveal, the ship of the damned, “ …how did you escape last time…”, that monkey, Elizabeth fainting, wonderful supporting cast, “Savvy?“, Jack and Will hijack a naval vessel, “Parley” , Elizabeth’s second faint, “women in London must have learnt not to breathe“, sword fight in moonlight, “Here there be monsters.”
Released: 2003
Certificate: 12
Cast: Johnny Depp, Kiera Knightley, Orlando Bloom, Geoffrey Rush, Jonathan Pryce, Kevin McNally, Jack Davenport, Giles New, Angus Barnett, Lee Arenberg, Mackenzie Crook
Rating: very funny, very exciting piratical adventure, very highly recommended
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟✨
harlekwin 
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