Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest film review

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PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: DEAD MAN'S CHEST

It's worth remembering that the POTC franchise is based on a popular ride at Disneyland, and not, as in the case of the Lord of the Rings trilogy, one of the great pieces of literature in the 20th century canon. This may go some way to explaining the dramatic drop in quality in Dead Man's Chest, compared to the original Curse of the Black Pearl. Whereas Johnny Depp et al seemed so fresh and fun in the first instalment, there are definite signs of a series on the wane in part two.

It's certainly not a lack of effort on behalf of the special effects or stunts team, who cram the film full of action sequences, and a brusque but enjoyable opening re-establishes the credentials of the main characters. In order to spring Keira Knightley from a British-controlled prison, Orland Bloom's Will Turner must seek out Depp's Jack Sparrow and relieve him of his magic compass. The trouble is that Captain Jack is being prepped for dinner by a nearby group of hungry cannibals, who are none too happy see Will and his cavalry arrive.

So far, so good, but after this breezy first half-hour, the cracks begin to show. This is a long, long film which starts, unfortunately, to get a little boring in the second hour and by the time the third hour begins induces some serious seat-fidgeting. This is down to the plot becoming both murky and rather stagnant, as well as a seemingly incessant need for action sequence after action sequence. Just when you think it will safe to consider leaving the cinema in the next five minutes, along rolls another ship full of attackers who need to be thwarted.

An unrecognizable Bill Nighy stars as Davy Jones, whose cohorts on the legendary Flying Dutchman have come to claim Captain Jack for himself, while the love affair between Will and Elizabeth is threatened by both the English and the reappearance of Jack Davenport as her spurned lover Norrington.

Production values are of the highest order, and director Gore Verbinski shows his skill at handling large-scale set-pieces which are bound to please the younger members of the audience. The door is also left open for the third episode, due in 2007, although based on the latest evidence, it's doubtful whether there will be a fourth or fifth.

Paul Hurley