Running time: 134 minutes
Starring: Johnny Depp, Geoffrey Rush, Orlando Bloom, Keira Knightley, Jack Davenport, Jonathan Pryce
Rating 7 out of 10
Johnny Depp's idea to play the rapscallion pirate Captain Jack Sparrow as an effeminate, inebriated Keith Richards might in theory seem a ludicrous one, but thank god for it. For without his uproariously hammy performance Pirates Of The Caribbean: The Curse Of The Black Pearl would be as appealing as walking the plank. As it is, Pirates is an enjoyable if lengthy romp. More than two hours of swashing and buckling is enough for anyone, and Pirates would have benefited greatly had its editor cut with the same abandon as all those brandishing swords. In a reversal of the practice of transforming films into theme rides, Pirates is based on the popular Disneyland attraction. Unlike some of the more heart racing rides, though, both the original Pirates and the film it inspired provide a more whimsical, leisurely journey.
Leading the way is Depp as the lovable rogue Sparrow. With his smeared mascara, two pronged goatee and flamboyant outfit, Sparrow resembles a reveler the morning after an all night fancy dress party. Clearly relishing the chance to redefine the expression 'over the top', Depp steals every scene with an impressive display of mugging rarely seen since the silent movie era. Only Geoffrey Rush as Captain Barbossa , leader of the mutinous revolt ousting Sparrow from the helm of the pirate ship the Black Pearl, provides Depp with any overacting competition. In less capable hands such tactics might have rendered Pirates ridiculous, but with their conviction and talent the pair keep things entertaining.
Providing the more stable foundation on which such broad portrayals are dependent is a supporting cast who recognize their collective role is to keep the plot moving and act as the straight man. Elizabeth Swann (Keira Knightley) is the beautiful daughter of Weatherby Swann (Jonathan Pryce), governor of Port Royal, a British base in the Caribbean. Though set to marry the upstanding Norrington (Jack Davenport), she is drawn to the handsome blacksmith Will Turner (Orlando Bloom). The two have been acquainted since childhood when Will was rescued from sea wearing a pirates golden medallion. It's this medallion, now in Elizabeth's possession, and the blood of its owner that will finally rescue Barossa and his crew from a curse that has condemned them to spend eternity as the living dead.
One other thing the film shares with the ride is its corny sets which, in an era of sophisticated CGI, could only have looked this bad on purpose. As expected in any decent pirate movie there's plenty of sword fighting, brawling, eye patches, bad dental hygiene and parrots, but this is Disney after all so the general level of bloodletting is more comical than gory. What Pirates Of The Caribbean does boast over all other pirate films though is Johnny Depp's irresistible turn as Captain Jack Sparrow.
