movie review of pirates of the caribbean

  • Tickets & Showtimes
  • Trending on RT

movie review of pirates of the caribbean

TAGGED AS: movies

Pirates of the Caribbean Movies Ranked

We’re ranking every movie in the Pirates of the Caribbean series! We start with the Certified Fresh Curse of the Black Pearl that catapulted Johnny Depp from cult darling to international star. That’s followed up with the rest of the original trilogy featuring Orlando Bloom and Keira Knightley, and then franchise extenders On Stranger Tides and Dead Men Tell No Tales . — Alex Vo

' sborder=

Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003) 80%

' sborder=

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest (2006) 53%

' sborder=

Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End (2007) 44%

' sborder=

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (2011) 33%

' sborder=

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales (2017) 30%

Related news.

The Fall Guy First Reviews: Critics at SXSW Say It’s ‘Clever, Charming, and Full of laughs’

All Blumhouse Horror Movies Ranked

30 Most Popular Movies Right Now: What to Watch In Theaters and Streaming

More Countdown

The 100 Best Movies Over 3 Hours Long, Ranked

Movie & TV News

Featured on rt.

Watch the X-Men Take Down an Army of Sentinels in An Exclusive Sneak Peek of X-Men ’97

March 14, 2024

March 13, 2024

TV Premiere Dates 2024

March 12, 2024

Top Headlines

  • Best Horror Movies of 2024 Ranked – New Scary Movies to Watch –
  • SXSW 2024: Movie Scorecard –
  • All Blumhouse Horror Movies Ranked –
  • The 100 Best Movies Over 3 Hours Long, Ranked –
  • 30 Most Popular Movies Right Now: What to Watch In Theaters and Streaming –
  • 25 Most Popular TV Shows Right Now: What to Watch on Streaming –

Movie Reviews

Tv/streaming, collections, great movies, chaz's journal, contributors, pirates of the caribbean: the curse of the black pearl.

Now streaming on:

There's a nice little 90-minute B movie trapped inside the 143 minutes of "Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl," a movie that charms the audience and then outstays its welcome. Although the ending leaves open the possibility of a sequel, the movie feels like it already includes the sequel; maybe that explains the double-barreled title. It's a good thing that Geoffrey Rush and Johnny Depp are on hand to jack up the acting department. Their characters, two world-class goofballs, keep us interested even during entirely pointless swordfights.

Pointless? See if you can follow me here. Capt. Jack Sparrow (Depp) has a deep hatred for Capt. Barbossa (Rush), who led a mutiny aboard Sparrow's pirate ship, the Black Pearl, and left Capt. Jack stranded on a deserted island. Barbossa and his crew then ran afoul of an ancient curse that turned them into the Undead. By day they look like normal if dissolute humans, but by the light of the moon, they're revealed as skeletal cadavers. Now here's the important part: Because they're already dead, they cannot be killed. Excuse me for supplying logic where it is manifestly not wanted, but doesn't that mean there's no point in fighting them? There's a violent battle at one point between the Black Pearl crew and sailors of the Royal Navy, and unless I am mistaken the sailors would all eventually have to be dead because the skeletons could just keep on fighting forever, until they won. Yes? The only reason I bring this up is that the battle scenes actually feel as if they go on forever. It's fun at first to see a pirate swordfight, but eventually it gets to the point where the sword-clashing, yardarm-swinging and timber-shivering get repetitious. I also lost count of how many times Jack Sparrow is the helpless captive of both the British and the pirates, and escapes from the chains/brig/noose/island.

And yet the movie made me grin at times, and savor the daffy plot, and enjoy the way Depp and Rush fearlessly provide performances that seem nourished by deep wells of nuttiness. Depp in particular seems to be channeling a drunken drag queen, with his eyeliner and the way he minces ashore and slurs his dialogue ever so insouciantly. Don't mistake me: This is not a criticism, but admiration for his work. It can be said that his performance is original in its every atom. There has never been a pirate, or for that matter a human being, like this in any other movie. There's some talk about how he got too much sun while he was stranded on that island, but his behavior shows a lifetime of rehearsal. He is a peacock in full display.

Consider how boring it would have been if Depp had played the role straight, as an Errol Flynn or Douglas Fairbanks (Sr. or Jr.) might have. To take this material seriously would make it unbearable. Capt. Sparrow's behavior is so rococo that other members of the cast actually comment on it. And yet because it is consistent and because you can never catch Depp making fun of the character, it rises to a kind of cockamamie sincerity.

Geoffrey Rush is relatively subdued--but only by contrast. His Barbossa, whose teeth alone would intimidate a congregation of dentists, brings gnashing to an art form.

Only the film's PG-13 rating prevents him from doing unthinkable things to the heroine, Elizabeth Swann ( Keira Knightley ), whose blood, it is thought, can free the captain and his crew from the Curse of the Black Pearl.

Elizabeth is the daughter of Weatherby Swann, the governor ( Jonathan Pryce ) of Port Royal, a British base in the Caribbean, and seems destined to marry Cmdr. Norrington ( Jack Davenport ), a fate which we intuit would lead to a lifetime of conversations about his constipation.

She truly loves the handsome young swordsmith Will Turner ( Orlando Bloom ), whom she met when they were both children, after spotting him adrift on a raft with a golden pirate medallion around his neck, which turns out to hold the key to the curse. Jack Sparrow takes a fatherly interest in young Turner, especially when he discovers who his father was ... and that is quite enough of the plot.

Bloom is well cast in a severely limited role as the heroic straight-arrow. He has the classic profile of a silent-film star. Knightley you will recall as the best friend of the heroine in " Bend It Like Beckham ," where she had a sparkle altogether lacking here.

Truth be told, she doesn't generate enough fire to explain why these swashbucklers would risk their lives for her, and in closeup, seems composed when she should smolder. Parminder K. Nagra , the star of "Beckham," might have been a more spirited choice.

"Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl" is "based on" the theme park ride at Disney World, which I have taken many times. It is also inspired (as the ride no doubt was) by the rich tradition of pirate movies, and excels in such departments as buried treasure, pirates' caves, pet parrots and walking the plank, although there is a shortage of eye patches and hooks.

The author Dave Eggers reportedly plans to open a Pirates' Store, complete with planks measured and made to order, and "The Curse of the Black Pearl" plays like his daydreams.

Roger Ebert

Roger Ebert

Roger Ebert was the film critic of the Chicago Sun-Times from 1967 until his death in 2013. In 1975, he won the Pulitzer Prize for distinguished criticism.

Now playing

movie review of pirates of the caribbean

History of Evil

Brian tallerico.

movie review of pirates of the caribbean

Peyton Robinson

movie review of pirates of the caribbean

Dario Argento Panico

Simon abrams.

movie review of pirates of the caribbean

Film Credits

Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl movie poster

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

Rated PG-13 For Violence

134 minutes

Johnny Depp as Capt. Jack Sparrow

Geoffrey Rush as Capt. Barbossa

Jonathan Pryce as The Governor

Keira Knightley as Elizabeth Swann

Orlando Bloom as Will Turner

Jack Davenport as Norrington

Damian O'Hare as Lt. Gillette

Lee Arenberg as Pintel

MacKenzie Crook as Ragetti

Giles as Murtogg

Directed by

  • Gore Verbinski
  • Ted Elliott
  • Terry Rossio
  • Jay Wolpert

Latest blog posts

movie review of pirates of the caribbean

With Analyze This, Robert De Niro Finally Decided to Become the King of Comedy

movie review of pirates of the caribbean

SXSW 2024: Dickweed, Secret Mall Apartment, She Looks Like Me

movie review of pirates of the caribbean

War Was Not Over at the 2024 Oscars

movie review of pirates of the caribbean

Oscars 2024: The View from the Room

  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews

Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl

Johnny Depp, Geoffrey Rush, Orlando Bloom, and Keira Knightley in Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003)

Blacksmith Will Turner teams up with eccentric pirate "Captain" Jack Sparrow to save his love, the governor's daughter, from Jack's former pirate allies, who are now undead. Blacksmith Will Turner teams up with eccentric pirate "Captain" Jack Sparrow to save his love, the governor's daughter, from Jack's former pirate allies, who are now undead. Blacksmith Will Turner teams up with eccentric pirate "Captain" Jack Sparrow to save his love, the governor's daughter, from Jack's former pirate allies, who are now undead.

  • Gore Verbinski
  • Ted Elliott
  • Terry Rossio
  • Stuart Beattie
  • Johnny Depp
  • Geoffrey Rush
  • Orlando Bloom
  • 2.3K User reviews
  • 189 Critic reviews
  • 63 Metascore
  • 38 wins & 104 nominations total

Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl

  • Jack Sparrow

Geoffrey Rush

  • Will Turner

Keira Knightley

  • Elizabeth Swann

Jack Davenport

  • Governor Weatherby Swann

Lee Arenberg

  • Lt. Gillette

Giles New

  • Bo'sun

Kevin McNally

  • Joshamee Gibbs
  • (as Kevin R. McNally)

Treva Etienne

  • Harbormaster
  • All cast & crew
  • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

More like this

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest

Did you know

  • Trivia Clothing and smears of charcoal were used to conceal Johnny Depp 's numerous tattoos. The "Jack Sparrow" tattoo on his arm in the movie is a fake, but he got a real replica after finishing the film, in honor of his son Jack.
  • Goofs (at around 27 mins) Elizabeth Swann's maid fills a bed warmer with red-hot coals and then places the warmer at the feet of Elizabeth, who is lying in bed. That's not the way bed warmers were used. They held warm, not red-hot, coals, and were placed in bed before one turned in and removed before the sleeper lay down. If used as shown in the movie, they would have barbecued one's feet.

Will Turner : Where's Elizabeth?

Jack Sparrow : She's safe, just like I promised. She's all set to marry Norrington, just like she promised. And you get to die for her, just like you promised. So we're all men of our word really... except for, of course, Elizabeth, who is in fact, a woman.

  • Crazy credits Johnny Depp 's dentist got a credit for Depp's teeth.
  • The full version of the scene where Will accidentally "takes" a candle off the wall.
  • In the carriage on the way to Commodore Norrington's promotion, Governor Swann tells Elizabeth that he hopes she will demonstrate a little more decorum in front of Commodore Norrington, and that it's only through his efforts that Port Royal has become civilized.
  • Extended scene of Port Royal when the wind makes a sudden change when the Aztec Gold "calls."
  • Extended scene of when Will helps Jack escape from Jail. Will asks Jack why to bother with the pistol, and that he could've killed him before with the single shot the pistol had if he was willing to use it. Jack then tells Will that when you've only got one shot it's best to wait for the opportune moment to use it.
  • Before dining with Captain Barbossa, Elizabeth is putting on the purple dress and Pintel and Ragetti are spying on her through a hole in the wall. Elizabeth soon realizes this and knocks Ragetti's eye out with a poker.
  • Extra scene of Jack and Will walking through the streets of Tortuga where continuous fighting is taking place.
  • At Tortuga Tavern, Jack brings two drinks to Mr. Gibbs, he hesitates on which one to give him and tells him, "Just the one," and Gibbs responds, "Let's make it last then, huh?"
  • After Jack and Gibbs drink a toast, Will suddenly pulls out his sword, kicks over a table and the fighting in the Tavern stops. Gibbs asks Jack if Will is a bit of a stick and Jack tells him that he has no idea. The fighting in the Tavern continues, and Will inserts his sword back into its sheath.
  • At the Isla del Muerta, Jack scans the deck of the Black Pearl with his telescope. Realizing that Elizabeth is not on board, he tells Will, "It's begun," as the other pirates are running through the caves to where the hidden treasure is.
  • Alternate and extended scene of when Jack tells the pirates that the French thought of "Parley," and also invented Mayonnaise. Part of this extended scene is in the "Blooper Reel" on disk 2 of the DVD.
  • Extended scene of when Jack and Elizabeth are stranded on the island. Jack makes himself at home and Elizabeth tells Jack that he was going to tell Barbossa about Will in exchange for a ship, and Jack explains how in fact he wasn't going to tell Barbossa about Will in exchange for a ship. This conversation leads to Elizabeth asking Jack how he escaped the island.
  • Jack takes two bottles of rum onto the beach and Elizabeth asks him if there's any truth about the other stories, and Jack shows her the tattoo and the 'P' mark on his right arm, the large vein-shaped scars on his left arm and two bullet wounds on his chest, telling her that there's no truth at all. He then decides how they are going to escape the island, gives a bottle of the rum to Elizabeth and she teaches him the pirate song - after she has had a lot more to drink.
  • Extended scene on board the Dauntless where Commodore Norrington tells Governor Swann that he insists upon rescuing Will. Elizabeth tells Norrington that the proposal was meant and that his word would not change hers, and that he is a fine man. Norrington shows his appreciation on the conditional request.
  • On board the Dauntless, just off the shore from the Isla del Muerta, Elizabeth tells Jack that he didn't tell Will about the curse, and Jack says that he noticed she did the same, probably for the same reason. Elizabeth tells Jack that he's a smart man, but she doesn't trust him. Commodore Norrington appears, gives Jack his compass and says, "With me Sparrow."
  • Extended scene of when the pirates go underwater when Captain Barbossa gives the order, "Take a walk." The pirates submerge underwater, just as the Moon appears from behind a cloud.
  • Elizabeth boards the Pearl and Mallot and Grapple decide on what to eat first. Grapple says he was thinking cake, and Mallot sharply responds that he was thinking cake too. Grapple stabs the table with a knife and Elizabeth sees her chance to reach the deck. Mallot eyes Grapple carefully, and Grapple pushes the handle of the knife towards him, telling him to cut the cake.
  • Jack removes his own curse and the lid of the chest slides closed by itself when Will touches it (This scene was deleted before any skeletal effects had begun so no skeletal effects are seen in this deleted scene).
  • Extended scene just before Jack's hanging, Mr. Cotton's Parrot arrives and ejaculates on Mullroy. He tries to shake off the parrot but Murtogg stops him and says that it's good luck, then Mr. Cotton's parrot does it on him as well.
  • Extended scene when Commodore Norrington tells Will that the sword is beautiful. He offers Will his compliments and tells Elizabeth that he wishes them both the very best of luck. Gillette asks Norrington about Jack, and he says an extra line that was cut from the film, "Shall we prepare the Dauntless in pursuit?" before Norrington says, "Oh, I think we can afford to give him one day's head start."
  • Connections Featured in Disney Through the Decades (2001)
  • Soundtracks Yo Ho (A Pirate's Life for Me) Words by Xavier Atencio Music by George Bruns Performed by Lucinda Dryzek , Keira Knightley , and Johnny Depp

User reviews 2.3K

  • Aug 22, 2020
  • What is 'Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl' about?
  • Is 'The Curse of the Black Pearl' based on a book?
  • How does James Norrington know Jack Sparrow's name by looking at his tattoo?
  • July 9, 2003 (United States)
  • United States
  • akshay movies
  • Pirates of the Caribbean
  • Samana, Dominican Republic
  • Walt Disney Pictures
  • Jerry Bruckheimer Films
  • See more company credits at IMDbPro
  • $140,000,000 (estimated)
  • $305,413,918
  • $46,630,690
  • Jul 13, 2003
  • $654,264,546

Technical specs

  • Runtime 2 hours 23 minutes
  • Dolby Digital EX

Related news

Contribute to this page.

  • IMDb Answers: Help fill gaps in our data
  • Learn more about contributing

More to explore

Production art

Recently viewed

Notice: All forms on this website are temporarily down for maintenance. You will not be able to complete a form to request information or a resource. We apologize for any inconvenience and will reactivate the forms as soon as possible.

movie review of pirates of the caribbean

  • DVD & Streaming

Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl

  • Action/Adventure , Comedy , Drama , Horror , Romance , Sci-Fi/Fantasy

Content Caution

movie review of pirates of the caribbean

In Theaters

  • Johnny Depp as Captain Jack Sparrow; Keira Knightley as Elizabeth Swann; Orlando Bloom as Will Turner; Geoffrey Rush as Captain Barbossa

Home Release Date

  • Gore Verbinski

Distributor

  • Disney/Buena Vista

Movie Review

Courted by a stuffy commodore, a beautiful girl secretly pines for a humble blacksmith, who is equally smitten with her. A ghostly galleon full of “undead” pirates pays a visit in search of a gold doubloon needed to reverse a curse. And the flamboyant, bejeweled, displaced Capt. Jack Sparrow, a former member of the buccaneers’ crew, blows into port to steal a ship (“commandeering,” he argues, or “borrowing without permission”).

Sparrow’s mission gets blown off course by the governor’s reckless daughter, Elizabeth Swann, when he’s called upon to rescue the damsel from her kidnappers—the dastardly crew of the most dreaded ship on the high seas, the Black Pearl. Our unlikely hero is the only one who knows where the ghost ship is berthed, having captained it before his former first lieutenant Barbossa staged a mutiny and left Sparrow to die on a deserted island. Sparrow is aided by young Will Turner, the blacksmith apprentice who’s loved Elizabeth since his youth, and the highly motivated duo are determined to let nothing stop them from reclaiming their treasures … even when they find out that their adversaries can’t be killed because they’re already dead, placed under a terrible curse by pagan gods for their insatiable greed.

Positive Elements

The pirate “code of parlez” (French for “speak”) gives otherwise merciless pirates the opportunity to show grace to their captives. Elizabeth first invokes it when she’s captured by leering, jeering riff-raff fresh off the Black Pearl and is given an audience with its captain (going from the proverbial frying pan into the fire).

Although a bit sappy and doting, Gov. Swann is obviously a loving, caring (and inexplicably single) dad who places his daughter’s happiness high on the priority scale.

When asked by Sparrow how far he’s willing to go to save the kidnapped Elizabeth, Turner unhesitatingly replies, “I’d die for her.” He proves himself a man of his word as he repeatedly puts his life on the line for the woman he loves.

Spiritual Elements

A great deal of superstitious fear surrounds the Black Pearl, described by one sailor in hushed whispers as, “a ship with black sails, crewed by the damned and captained by a man so evil hell itself spit him back out.” Except, in the context of the story, it’s not superstition. Captain Barbossa tells the captive Elizabeth about how angry heathen gods hexed a stolen chest of Aztec gold: Any mortal that removed more than a single piece would be punished for eternity. He and his greedy crew have brought the curse down on themselves by spending all the coins but one, and now are imprisoned in the realm of the undead until every coin is returned to the chest and blood from a certain pirate’s line is spilt upon it.

Christian families looking for modern-day parables will find a parallel between the pagan gods’ requirement of blood to lift the curse of the Black Pearl to God’s requirement for His own Son’s blood sacrifice to lift the curse of sin and death from mankind. But these waters get muddy pretty quickly, and that lesson is mostly obscured by the symbols of evil that surround it.

Sexual Content

There’s a whole lot of skirt-chasing going on at the pirates’ hideout. Pirates cavort with busty ladies, prompting Sparrow to remark, “If every town in the world were like this one, no man would ever feel unwanted.” A rum-sodden sailor, though, doesn’t even notice when a woman repeatedly lifts her skirts behind his head. A romantically unattached man is asked if he’s a eunuch. Barbossa speaks of frittering treasure away on women, and the curse that’s left him and his men with lust so strong that “all the pleasurable company in the world cannot slake it.” He later longs for the “warmth of a woman’s flesh.”

Both society women and pirate playthings reveal lots of cleavage common to that period’s apparel. Elizabeth is forced to remove her dress (revealing modest undergarments) in front of the pirate crew. A woman is rescued from drowning by a pirate who rips her dress and corset off to allow her to breathe, but the scene is more sensational than sexual. Elizabeth pulls Turner’s hand to her breast before placing it on his medallion that she’s been wearing around her neck.

Violent Content

The movie is quite violent with a large body count, though there’s not a lot of blood. Much of the mayhem involves undead pirates who turn skeletal in the moonlight. People get shot at close range and run through with swords. There are hangings and a few slit throats. A pirate gets showered with glowing embers from a bed-warming pan. Another gets hit in the belly by a cannon ball. Yet another pulls out his wooden eye by the flying fork that’s pierced it. Ships fire cannons at each other and at a coastal town. Buildings and ships are seen burning.

Sparrow and Turner engage in a sword fight (no one gets hurt). Sparrow takes it in stride when his face gets slapped by two women scorned and another whose ship he stole. He holds a woman at gunpoint to make an escape. Both Elizabeth and Will, at separate times, are threatened with knives held to their throats. Three skeletons hang under the sign “Pirates Ye Beware” at a cove entrance.

Perhaps the most egregious violence is Barbossa’s rough treatment of Elizabeth. He slaps her unconscious when she won’t answer his question, and makes her walk the plank. In turn, she shoots him and stabs him in the chest, but no harm’s done since he’s undead.

A pirate explains the custom of offering a marooned pirate a gun with a single bullet: “That won’t be much good for huntin’ or to be rescued. After three weeks of starvin’ and thirst, that pistol starts to look real friendly,” then demonstrates by holding fingers to his temple.

Crude or Profane Language

The British profanity “bloody” is uttered frequently, even by the “refined” Miss Swann. God’s name is used lightly in a couple of spots, as is “Mary, mother of god.” The noun hell and the adjective damned are used properly several times; “d–n” is also used improperly once. The words “bastard” and “bejesus” pepper pirate language.

Drug and Alcohol Content

Pirates engage in typical rum swilling. Marooned with Elizabeth, Sparrow unearths a cache of rum and drinks lavishly; Elizabeth dupes him into thinking she’s matching him drink for drink until he passes out. She also rebuffs his flirtations by telling him they “haven’t drank enough yet for that kind of talk.” Elizabeth accepts a glass of wine from Barbossa. A drunken man is seen passed out from his boozing.

Other Negative Elements

When Elizabeth refuses to don a gown of Barbossa’s choice and dine with him, he threatens to make her eat dinner with the crew … naked. (She hastily acquiesces and puts on the contested dress.)

Unlike “parlez,” another pirate code is much less gentlemanly, calling for them to abandon crewmates who fall behind in battle.

Sparrow, Will and Elizabeth make liberal use of situation ethics: the end justifies the often questionable and downright unacceptable means. When all is said and done, crime goes unpunished and the main characters sail off into the sunset (some literally; others figuratively).

Movies once inspired theme-park rides. Now it’s the other way around. ( Haunted Mansion , anyone?) What’s remarkable is that Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl actually delivers the thrills, laughs and romance audiences want while they’re gobbling up popcorn. It’s not just a lazy attempt to capitalize on a brand name.

Portrayed with rock star swagger, Johnny Depp’s Capt. Jack Sparrow is a likable scoundrel who looks like the offspring of Errol Flynn and Joan Jett … in fact, this role has earned Depp near-rock star status with teens. All the more reason for families to be wary of the film’s mixed messages.

Overshadowing the onscreen heroism and fun are disappointing closing remarks romanticizing—even legitimizing—piracy. (That’s especially significant considering the fact that modern-day merchant marines are still victimized by sea robbers, but possibly more so because of the way those who steal songs and movies on the great ocean known as the World Wide Web have been so identified with the peg-legged seafarers of old.) That, and the film’s creepy, prolonged violence should make families think twice before setting sail for this high-seas adventure.

The Plugged In Show logo

Bob Smithouser

Rhonda handlon, latest reviews.

Arthur the King 2024

Arthur the King

Love Lies Bleeding 2024

Love Lies Bleeding

One Life 2024

Forty-Seven Days With Jesus

Weekly reviews straight to your inbox.

Logo for Plugged In by Focus on the Family

movie review of pirates of the caribbean

Common Sense Media

Movie & TV reviews for parents

  • For Parents
  • For Educators
  • Our Work and Impact

Or browse by category:

  • Get the app
  • Movie Reviews
  • Best Movie Lists
  • Best Movies on Netflix, Disney+, and More

Common Sense Selections for Movies

movie review of pirates of the caribbean

50 Modern Movies All Kids Should Watch Before They're 12

movie review of pirates of the caribbean

  • Best TV Lists
  • Best TV Shows on Netflix, Disney+, and More
  • Common Sense Selections for TV
  • Video Reviews of TV Shows

movie review of pirates of the caribbean

Best Kids' Shows on Disney+

movie review of pirates of the caribbean

Best Kids' TV Shows on Netflix

  • Book Reviews
  • Best Book Lists
  • Common Sense Selections for Books

movie review of pirates of the caribbean

8 Tips for Getting Kids Hooked on Books

movie review of pirates of the caribbean

50 Books All Kids Should Read Before They're 12

  • Game Reviews
  • Best Game Lists

Common Sense Selections for Games

  • Video Reviews of Games

movie review of pirates of the caribbean

Nintendo Switch Games for Family Fun

movie review of pirates of the caribbean

  • Podcast Reviews
  • Best Podcast Lists

Common Sense Selections for Podcasts

movie review of pirates of the caribbean

Parents' Guide to Podcasts

movie review of pirates of the caribbean

  • App Reviews
  • Best App Lists

movie review of pirates of the caribbean

Social Networking for Teens

movie review of pirates of the caribbean

Gun-Free Action Game Apps

movie review of pirates of the caribbean

Reviews for AI Apps and Tools

  • YouTube Channel Reviews
  • YouTube Kids Channels by Topic

movie review of pirates of the caribbean

Parents' Ultimate Guide to YouTube Kids

movie review of pirates of the caribbean

YouTube Kids Channels for Gamers

  • Preschoolers (2-4)
  • Little Kids (5-7)
  • Big Kids (8-9)
  • Pre-Teens (10-12)
  • Teens (13+)
  • Screen Time
  • Social Media
  • Online Safety
  • Identity and Community

movie review of pirates of the caribbean

Explaining the News to Our Kids

  • Family Tech Planners
  • Digital Skills
  • All Articles
  • Latino Culture
  • Black Voices
  • Asian Stories
  • Native Narratives
  • LGBTQ+ Pride
  • Best of Diverse Representation List

movie review of pirates of the caribbean

Celebrating Black History Month

movie review of pirates of the caribbean

Movies and TV Shows with Arab Leads

movie review of pirates of the caribbean

Celebrate Hip-Hop's 50th Anniversary

Pirates of the caribbean: at world's end, common sense media reviewers.

movie review of pirates of the caribbean

Swashbuckling action, but too many puzzling plots.

Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Elizabeth and Tia Dalma are strong, fearless femal

Characters are hanged -- including a young boy --

Elizabeth and Will kiss passionately. Several scan

Colorful pirate insults.

Nothing in the movie itself, but the entire thing

Pirates love their rum, and once again it flows fr

Parents need to know that Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End is the third installment of the Pirates franchise. It's packed with more death, action, and violence than most superhero flicks -- from the grim opening sequence in which Caribbean civilians (including a young boy) are led to the…

Positive Messages

Elizabeth and Tia Dalma are strong, fearless female characters, and the cast of this movie is much more diverse than the previous two. Despite several betrayals, Jack and Will sacrifice what they want most and act selflessly for the greater good. Jack often acts as though he has no morals or ethics, but he's true to a strange code of his own.

Violence & Scariness

Characters are hanged -- including a young boy -- and their dead bodies are shown in a pile. Lots of pirates, British soldiers, and unlucky seamen are stabbed and blown up -- especially in the final hour. Younger children may be disturbed by the opening gallows sequence and by seeing major characters die.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Violence & Scariness in your kid's entertainment guide.

Sex, Romance & Nudity

Elizabeth and Will kiss passionately. Several scantily dressed pirates' mistresses; a couple is discreetly shown dressing after marital sex, but there's no nudity. Captain Jack loves making sexual innuendos.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Sex, Romance & Nudity in your kid's entertainment guide.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Language in your kid's entertainment guide.

Products & Purchases

Nothing in the movie itself, but the entire thing is a giant marketing machine for Disney.

Drinking, Drugs & Smoking

Pirates love their rum, and once again it flows freely.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Drinking, Drugs & Smoking in your kid's entertainment guide.

Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End is the third installment of the Pirates franchise. It's packed with more death, action, and violence than most superhero flicks -- from the grim opening sequence in which Caribbean civilians (including a young boy) are led to the gallows to the climactic swashbuckling showdown. Since it's nearly three hours long, younger kids (or those with short attention spans) may not go the distance. And with so many double crosses and betrayals, the plot may even be confusing for adults. That said, thanks to Disney's ubiquitous merchandising and advertising campaigns, even 5-year-olds know who Captain Jack Sparrow is, so chances are your youngest kids will want to see it. But if they do, be prepared for them to wake up with nightmares. To stay in the loop on more movies like this, you can sign up for weekly Family Movie Night emails .

Where to Watch

Videos and photos.

movie review of pirates of the caribbean

Community Reviews

  • Parents say (14)
  • Kids say (116)

Based on 14 parent reviews

Good but kind of disturbing...

A bit dark, but still amazing, what's the story.

Captain Jack ( Johnny Depp ) is back IN PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: AT WORLD'S END, living in the hallucinatory limbo of Davy Jones' Locker. While he's busy seeing imaginary clones of himself, Elizabeth Swann ( Keira Knightley ), Will Turner ( Orlando Bloom ), and resurrected Captain Barbossa ( Geoffrey Rush ) travel to the Singapore. Their goal is to enlist pirate lord Sao Feng ( Chow Yun-Fat ) to help save Jack and join his fellow captains against the British, who are in control of Davy Jones ( Bill Nighy ) and his Flying Dutchman crew. But that's just the beginning -- basically, everyone's out for revenge. Will must free his father, Bootstrap Bill ( Stellan Skarsgard ), from Davy's cursed ship; Elizabeth finds herself an avenging pirate captain; and Barbossa and the mysterious Tia Dalma ( Naomie Harris ) are also up to no good. But never fear, matey: This is a Jerry Bruckheimer action flick, so everything turns up (mostly) roses. Some major characters die, disintegrate, or what have you, and others are revived. No one quite gets a perfectly happy ending, but at least Keith Richards shows up for a few minutes as Jack's hard-scrabble pirate pop. That tiny bit of perfect casting alone is worth the cost of the ticket.

Is It Any Good?

Even though this series' third and supposedly final adventure is more action-packed than the first two sagas, it's still overlong and bewildering. There's no denying that the billion-dollar Pirates of the Caribbean franchise is wildly entertaining. But Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End has so many story developments and double-crossing betrayals that the confusing plot merits an encyclopedic fansite. Even hardcore fans of whodunit mysteries will be puzzled by the number of twists and turns.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

Families can talk about what made kids want to see Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End -- the story or all the product and toy tie-ins. Do kids want something because Captain Jack is connected to it? And does the movie live up to all the hype?

Why is Jack such an appealing character?

Families can also discuss the Pirates franchise as a whole. Do you think there should be a fourth movie or is this one a good finale? Which movie do you like best, and why?

Movie Details

  • In theaters : May 24, 2007
  • On DVD or streaming : December 4, 2007
  • Cast : Johnny Depp , Keira Knightley , Orlando Bloom
  • Director : Gore Verbinski
  • Inclusion Information : Female actors
  • Studio : Buena Vista
  • Genre : Action/Adventure
  • Run time : 168 minutes
  • MPAA rating : PG-13
  • MPAA explanation : intense sequences of action/adventure violence and some frightening images.
  • Last updated : February 18, 2023

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

Suggest an Update

Our editors recommend.

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides Poster Image

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides

Want personalized picks for your kids' age and interests?

The Pirates

A Knight's Tale Poster Image

A Knight's Tale

Best pirate movies, excellent adventure movies for family fun.

Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.

Parent Previews movie ratings and movie reviews

Find Family Movies, Movie Ratings and Movie Reviews

Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl parents guide

Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl Parent Guide

Trouble rolls into the coastal town of Port Royal the moment Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) lightly sets foot on the local's wooden wharf. His quest to reclaim his ship soon involves a band of pirates and the kidnapping of Elizabeth Swan (Keira Knightley), the Governor's daughter. When an eager young man (Orlando Bloom) attempts to mount a rescue party, the entire British navy becomes involved.

Why is Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl rated PG-13? The MPAA rated Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl PG-13 for action/adventure violence.

Get Content Details

The guide to our grades, parent movie review by kerry bennett.

Like a heavy ocean fog, trouble rolls into the coastal town of Port Royal when Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) lightly sets foot on the local’s wooden wharf. Having lost command of his ship during a mutiny, the roguish captain is consumed with getting the Black Pearl back from his double-crossing first mate, Barbossa (Geoffrey Rush). And he isn’t above commandeering someone else’s boat to do it.

But his plans to steal the British Navy’s fastest vessel, the HMS Interceptor, are disrupted when Barbossa and the mutineers fire on the seaside settlement and kidnap Elizabeth, the daughter of the Governor (Keira Knightley). Eager to help the friend who once saved his life, Will Tanner (Orlando Bloom), a young blacksmith, begs Jack to help him find the legendary ship and free the captured girl from the pirates.

However, due to the misdeeds of Barbossa and his band of thieves an eerie curse has befallen the Black Pearl—a curse that dooms them to exist between the spheres of life and death until they can undo the hex.

For many, Johnny Depp and Walt Disney Pictures are an unlikely combination to appear in the same movie credits. Suffice it to say, there was some bending on the part of both parties to make it happen. The usually family-friendly official Disney studio banner received its first ever PG-13 rating in the United States and Depp’s bizarre character who wears heavy black eyeliner, gold teeth and double chin braids, was toned down from the original interpretation .

Like the recently released Country Bears , this film is based on a Disney theme park attraction. But don’t expect Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl to be suitable ride for all family members. Prolonged and often tedious amounts of fantasy violence include on-screen shootings, stabbings and multiple impalings. While teens may be intrigued with the pirates’ moonlit transformation from human being to rotting skeleton, children will likely find the change a little scary.

The rakish, ousted pirate captain also appears to be a little tipsy. It could be from too much sun or the burning desire for revenge. But it’s more likely the regular consumption of rum that leaves Jack weaving across the screen in this film that plays alcohol use for comedy.

While slashing several scenes of sword fighting could easily have shortened this script to a more satisfying length, the swashbuckling action will likely appeal to many teens. In addition, Will’s desire to make an honorable name for himself despite his family history allows these boisterous buccaneers to barely squeeze into the B grade.

About author

Photo of Kerry Bennett

Kerry Bennett

Watch the trailer for pirates of the caribbean: the curse of the black pearl.

Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl Rating & Content Info

Why is Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl rated PG-13? Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl is rated PG-13 by the MPAA for action/adventure violence.

Page last updated July 4, 2019

Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl Parents' Guide

Movies with love triangles often include two stereotypical male characters, one straight laced and conventional, one more edgy and daring. (See Sweet Home Alabama , Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas , While You Were Sleeping , Sabrina ) Which guy usually gets the girl? Why is he portrayed as the best choice for the heroine? Are those portrayals always realistic?

Although he is completely without morals and willing to do anything to get his way, Jack Sparrow is played as a romantic hero. How do moviemakers win audience support for him? Considering the reality of damage and death he caused, what would be a just punishment for him?

For party ideas for your little scallywags, check FamilyFun.com’s Pirate Party . If you would like to know more about real life pirates, follow this link .

Related home video titles:

Full of scurvy buccaneers and buried treasure, Muppet Treasure Island offers a milder version of a pirate tale for younger children. Fans of Orlando Bloom can see the British actor as Legolas Greenleaf in Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring and Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers . Keira Knightley plays an up and coming female soccer star in Bend It Like Beckham .

This saga continues in Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest , Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End and Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides .

Related news about Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl

Lego Embraces Hollywood

Lego Embraces Hollywood

{parents:pull_quote}

Johnny Depp Hopes for Success as Filming Begins on Fifth Pirate Movie

Johnny Depp Hopes for Success as Filming Begins on Fifth Pirate Movie

10+ Swashbuckling Pirate Movies to Bring Home to Your Hearties

10+ Swashbuckling Pirate Movies to Bring Home to Your Hearties

‘Pirates Of The Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales’ — Why You Should See It

There are plenty of excellent reasons to take yourself to the movie theater this long weekend and get settled in to see the fifth film in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise.

If you were charmed by the original 2003 Pirates of the Caribbean film: The Curse of the Black Pearl with its sexy, tipsy, Captain Jack Sparrow [ Johnny Depp ], feisty 18th century feminist Elizabeth Swann [ Keira Knightley ] and brave adventurer, Will Turner, [ Orlando Bloom ], then you will be in for a happy surprise. The new sure-to-be blockbuster is the closest to the original movie in spirit and purity.

I say purity because Dead Men Tell No Tales is the least overblown and calculated of the films since we first met Johnny. It also has the most character development — not that that’s saying a huge amount since the original. We finally have a female character worthy of filling the vacuum left by Keira Knightley’s smart, fearless, Elizabeth Swann. English actress Kaya Scodelario , 25, steps into the skirts of bright, educated Carina Smyth, who is on the run on an unnamed Caribbean island, from the British authorities, who want to hang her as a witch. Even though Carina is an orphan who was abandoned after birth, somehow she has raised herself to be an informed, serious woman of science, specializing in astronomy and horology — the study of measuring time. She’s quick-witted, articulate and fearless, even though she’s on the run.

Equally fearless is hunky Henry Turner, the son of Elizabeth Swann and Will Turner, who has been living under a curse and under the sea, consigned to be the legendary Davy Jones. Turner is on a mission to find the mythical Trident of Poseidon, which has the power to break the spell, binding Will Turner to his underwater vessel, The Flying Dutchman. Carina is also desperately trying to find the Trident because she is convinced it will lead her to the father who abandoned her, but with his diary detailing a secret map.

Then, there is a half-dead Spanish Captain Salazar [ Javier Bardem ], trapped in The Devil’s Triangle by a younger Jack Sparrow and he’s consumed with finding and killing Jack AND getting his hands on the Trident too, so it can break his curse and make him completely undead. Side note here, Javier’s real-life wife, Penelope Cruz played Jack Sparrow’s lover, Angelica, who also happened to be famous ruthless pirate, Blackbeard’s daughter.

Ok, so newcomers, Carina, Henry and Javier all give you good reasons to get engrossed in Dead Men Tell No Tales. 

Then of course, there’s Jack. Of course, he’s back and as handsome as ever. But I have to say, I wish the franchise’s writers would give him way more to do than mumble about in his charming half-drunk way. Flashbacks to Sparrow as the young captain who bested Salazar — quick and clever as a whip — and thrilled to be the captain of the fastest ship in the sea– The Black Pearl– make us nostalgic for what, Jack once was. We need more of that brave dashing leader, Jack back.

So enjoy the entertaining Dead Men Tell No Tales . The surprise ending is well worth waiting for and of course opens the way to all kinds of possibilities for films numbers, 6, 7, and 8. But come on writers and producers, let’s dry out Jack at least part time and put him back into some swashbuckling action on the high seas.

HollywoodLifers , do you agree? Let me know!

How to Watch the Pirates of the Caribbean Movies in Chronological Order

New to the series here's how to follow the pirates of the caribbean timeline..

Jordan Sirani Avatar

In the early 2000s, Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean introduced moviegoers to one of the decade’s most iconic film characters: Johhny Depp’s quick-witted pirate lord, Captain Jack Sparrow. On the back of Depp’s performances, the quintet of swashbuckling adventures earned $4.5 billion USD at the worldwide box office — good for a spot among the most-lucrative film franchises of all time.

Ahead of the planned Pirates of the Caribbean 6 , we’ve created a guide to help you navigate the series’ story for all of the movies. Scroll down to find out how to watch the Pirates of the Caribbean films in order, by narrative chronologically or release date.

  • How to watch in chronological order
  • How to watch by release order

Pirates of the Caribbean Movies in Order

Ahead of the planned Pirates of the Caribbean 6, we’ve created a guide to help you navigate the series’ story.

How Many Pirates of the Caribbean Movies Are There?

There are five feature-length Pirates of the Caribbean movies and one short film . Two future Pirates movies are currently planned: the franchise’s sixth mainline film and a female-led movie starring Margot Robbie. Though Margot Robbie has said that it her film might not be happening .

Several other Pirates stories have been told through novels, comics, and video games. However, this list exclusively covers the film series.

Pirates of the Caribbean in Chronological Order

These blurbs contain mild spoilers, including characters, settings, and broad plot points.

1. Pirates of the Caribbean: Tales of the Code – Wedlocked (2011)

movie review of pirates of the caribbean

Released between the fourth and fifth movies as part of a Pirates Blu-ray/DVD box set, Tales of the Code – Wedlocked is a short film set before The Curse of the Black Pearl. Vanessa Branch and Lauren Maher reprise their roles as Giselle and Scarlett for the short, which centers around the two women both believing themselves to be betrothed to Jack Sparrow. Alas, they were fooled, and the duo becomes the object of a rowdy auction.

It's not essential to the wider chronology, though if you're looking for the complete Pirates experience, it's an easy watch with a 10-minute runtime.

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

movie review of pirates of the caribbean

From this point on, the release date and narrative chronologies of the Pirates movies align . The Curse of the Black Pearl, the series’ first movie, takes viewers back to the early 18th century during the Golden Age of Piracy. The debut film introduces us to the series' main characters: Captain Jack Sparrow (Depp), Will Turner (Orlando Bloom), Elizabeth Swann (Keira Knightley), and Hector Barbossa (Geoffrey Rush).

A young Will Turner is rescued from a shipwreck with a gold medallion around his neck. The medallion is linked to a curse that afflicts the pirate crew of Jack Sparrow's former ship, the Black Pearl, with tortured immortality. The crew is now led by the mutinous Captain Barbossa.

Will and Jack set aside their differences to rescue Elizabeth Swann, who was taken by Barbossa along with the medallion. Jack’s allegiance flip-flops and then flips again. The trio survives the encounter and ultimately lifts the curse, though the movie ends with Jack wanted for piracy.

Read IGN’s Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl review .

3. Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest (2006)

movie review of pirates of the caribbean

Jack, Will, and Elizabeth return for another seafaring adventure in Dead Man’s Chest. The series’ second movie introduces Naomie Harris’s priestess Tia Dalma, Stellan Skarsgard’s Bill Turner (Will’s father), Tom Hollander’s Cutler Beckett, and Bill Nighy’s Davy Jones, captain of the Flying Dutchman ghost ship.

Jack, Will, Elizabeth, and James Norrington (Jack Davenport) all, with different motivations, set out to find the Dead Man’s Chest and Davy Jones’s heart within: Will seeks freedom from the law and for his father; Elizabeth seeks freedom for herself and Will; Jack seeks to escape his debt to Davy Jones; and James seeks to have his status as a navy officer restored.

Swashbuckling and backstabbing once again ensue, and only one escapes with Davy Jones’s heart, granting them control of Jones and therefore the seas. As for Captain Jack, he ends Dead Man’s Chest dragged to the depths of the sea by the Kraken. Tia Dalma, meanwhile, resurrects a familiar foe from Black Pearl to lead the rescue mission for Jack.

Read IGN’s Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest review .

4. Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End (2007)

movie review of pirates of the caribbean

The third Pirates movie is an action-packed adventure that pits the franchise’s heroes against Davy Jones and the Flying Dutchman, now controlled by Cutler Beckett. The heroes first team up to rescue Jack from Davy Jones’s Locker and recover the Black Pearl. After doing so, the crew’s varying motivations lead to the usual plotting and backstabbing. Along the way, we discover Tia’s true identity and meet Jack’s father, the pirate captain Edward Teague (Keith Richards).

By the end, Elizabeth comes into power, Will and Jack defeat Davy Jones, and a new captain takes control of the Flying Dutchman. A pregnant Elizabeth and Will part ways, while Jack and the revived Hector Barbossa set out separately to discover the Fountain of Youth.

Read IGN’s Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End review .

5. Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (2011)

movie review of pirates of the caribbean

On Stranger Tides is the first Pirates film without Will/Orlando Bloom and Elizabeth/Keira Knightley. Ian McShane and Penelope Cruz stepped into the vacant supporting roles as the father-daughter duo Angelica and Blackbeard — the former being an ex-lover of Jack Sparrow.

The film’s overarching plot is a race to discover the Fountain of Youth between the English, Spanish, and multiple pirate crews. A treasure hunt involving secret maps, Mermaid tears, and the ship of renowned Spanish explorer Ponce de León ultimately leads each party to the Fountain. Barbossa settles an old score with Blackbeard and Jack uses the last of the Fountain’s power to save an ally.

Read IGN’s Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides review .

6. Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales (2017)

movie review of pirates of the caribbean

The most recent Pirates film sees the return of Jack and Barbossa alongside Henry Turner (the now-grown son of Elizabeth and Will, played by Brenton Thwaites) and a new antagonist in Javier Bardem’s undead pirate-hunter Armando Salazar. Orlando Bloom and Keira Knightley reprise their respective roles as Will and Elizabeth for cameo appearances.

Dead Men Tell No Tales features another treasure hunt, the object of which is the Trident of Poseidon. Henry seeks the Trident to free his father from a curse and teams up with Jack and newcomer Carina (Kaya Scodelario) to do so. The trio, eventually with the help of Barbossa, must overcome Salazar’s opposition. One of these four heroes dies along the way. Jack takes his rightful place back aboard the Black Pearl and the other surviving heroes enjoy a family reunion.

A post-credits scene then sets up the return of Davy Jones.

Read IGN’s Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales review .

How to Watch the Pirates of the Caribbean Movies By Release Date

  • Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003)
  • Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest (2006)
  • Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End (2007)
  • Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (2011)
  • Pirates of the Caribbean: Tales of the Code – Wedlocked (2011 – short film)
  • Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales (2017)

Future Pirates of the Caribbean Movies

There are two future Pirates of the Caribbean movies in the works. Up next will be the franchise’s sixth mainline movie. The film will be a proper reboot as well, rather than a continuation of Dead Men Tell No Tales. Walt Disney Studios Motion Picture Production president Sean Bailey explained that they have "a really good, exciting story that honors the films that have come before but also has something new to say." And in regards to Johnny Depp's return to the franchise, Bailey also mentioned that he's "noncommittal at this point" about getting Depp back into the role of Captain Jack Sparrow.

Following that film, Disney had lined up a female-led feature starring Margot Robbie that might have been cancelled. Little else is known about the project; here’s the latest from franchise producer Jerry Bruckheimer : “I think that that script will come forward at a certain point. We developed two different stories for Pirates and [Pirates 6 is] going forward first, so that’s what we’re working on, to try to get that one made.”

Jordan covers games, shows, and movies as a freelance writer for IGN.

IGN Recommends

Marvel Comics to Relaunch the X-Men Franchise in July

Pirates Of The Caribbean: At World’s End Review

Pirates Of The Caribbean: At World's End

24 May 2007

168 minutes

Pirates Of The Caribbean: At World’s End

It’s a central irony in the Pirates movies that a profession most generally associated with scum, villainy and other unpleasantries is painted as a heroic career for free-spirits and the righteously rebellious. For the most part, these pirates get up to little more than high jinks – picking a pocket or two, bar-brawling when the occasion presents itself – and haven’t been presented as real thieves or marauders since the supernaturally assisted attack on Port Royal in the first film. But while the pirates may still appear like lovable scamps in this third assault on world box-office records, the demands of this plot mean that they’re so concerned with keeping up the momentum that almost no time is devoted to actual, y’know, fun.

The plot is – well, your guess is as good as ours. There’s much sailing to and fro; something about a magical navigation chart, presumably to match Jack’s magical compass; lots of crosses, double-crosses, triple-crosses and so-many-crosses-it’s-basically-a-porcupine; and mini story arcs for even the most minor characters. We are pretty sure that Will (Orlando Bloom) and Elizabeth (Keira Knightley) are having difficulties, that Cap’n Jack (Johnny Depp) is having hallucinations, and that Lord Beckett (Tom Hollander) is using Davy Jones’ (Bill Nighy) heart to control the seas and stamp out piracy. But what, precisely, new Singaporean pirate Sao Feng (Chow Yun-Fat) and voodoo priestess Tia (Naomie Harris) are up to is anyone’s guess, and as the betrayals and treachery mount ( every major character betrays someone, with the possible exception of the monkey), it becomes impossible to keep track of anyone’s motivation.

But if you can just let the story wash past you, and stop trying to catch the expositionary dialogue as it flits past in a variety of syrupy brogues (not helped by the over-loud sound mix), there is still some fun to be had. Sure, Knightley’s Elizabeth Swann has little to work with despite becoming “King” Of The Pirates (apparently pirates settle disputes with a rule book — they’re pirates, for Chrisssakes!), while Bloom struggles to make any impact with a character who’s gone from pleasantly (if boringly) heroic to confused and confusing. But Johnny still saves the day, hamming it up and zinging lines off Rush’s always fun Barbossa and, in particular, Keith Richards’ surprisingly accomplished turn as Captain Teague. The hallucinatory early scenes in Davy Jones’ locker, where we see the Pearl crewed entirely by multiple Cap’n Jacks, show Depp clearly having a ball, and if later visionary forays are less successful (the ‘good Jack’ and ‘bad Jack’ on his shoulders are a step too far) he still eats up the screen every minute he’s on it.

Amid his welter of double entendres and trippy space-outs, it’s left largely to the undead monkey to amuse the kiddies in a film that’s taken a further turn towards the Dark Side. There’s some quite disturbing violence here from moment one, in an opening scene that sees mass hangings of pirates and their collaborators, and some surprisingly daring plot choices for a Disney summer blockbuster. It’s also undeniably impressive visually. A few of the sequences are gasp-out-loud gorgeous, there’s a beautifully shot finale for one villain and the effects are well-nigh flawless, with almost every scene up to the same quality as Davy Jones’ breathtakingly good execution. So is this the end for Pirates? Well, the climax of this film frankly has ‘sequel bait’ written all over it, and although the traditional post-credits coda somewhat suggests that it’s an actual finish, expect Pirates 4 to be announced the moment that the opening weekend figures come back in. Let’s just hope that next time they keep things simple.

Related Articles

Orlando Bloom Returning To Pirates Of The Caribbean?

Movies | 17 12 2014

Javier Bardem In Talks For New Pirates Of The Caribbean

Movies | 14 10 2014

Movies | 21 02 2014

New Pirates Of The Caribbean Locks In Its Directors

Movies | 29 05 2013

Keith Richards Confirmed For Pirates 4

Movies | 17 10 2010

15 Films In Line For Best Effects Oscar

Movies | 17 12 2007

Ocean's 13 Steals Number One Spot

Movies | 11 06 2007

Pirates Makes Dubloons Aplenty

Movies | 29 05 2007

Christian Movie Interviews, News and Reviews

  • BROWSE TOPICS X
  • Devotionals
  • Newsletters

Crosswalk.com

"Pirates of the Caribbean" - Movie Review

  • Holly McClure Movie Reviewer
  • Updated Aug 07, 2007

"Pirates of the Caribbean" - Movie Review

Genre : Action, Adventure

Rating: PG-13 (for action/adventure violence)

Release Date: July 9, 2003

Actors: Johnny Depp, Geoffrey Rush, Orlando Bloom, Tom Wilkinson, Keira Knightly, Jonathan Pryce, Jack Davenport

Director: Gore Verbinski

Plot: The story is set in motion in the seventeenth century with 10-year-old Will drifting in the Caribbean Sea amidst the murdered crew and burning wreckage of a British ship that was attacked by pirates. The same day of his rescue, young Elizabeth (who has a romanticized notion about pirates) sees a gold medallion around Will's neck of a Jolly Roger skull and takes it from the unconscious boy thinking she has spared his life. Years later we see Captain Jack Sparrow (Depp), a charming pirate who has sailed all over the world, come to the Caribbean seeking adventure and treasure. Captain Jack's troubles begin when his precious ship, The Black Pearl, is stolen by the conniving Captain Barbossa (Rush). Then Jack is accused of kidnapping the governor's (Pryce) daughter, Elizabeth Swann (Knightly), and thrown in jail by her fiancé, British Commodore Norrington (Davenport). When the town of Port Royal is then attacked by Barbossa and Elizabeth is kidnapped by his men, Jack escapes jail and enlists the help of Elizabeth's childhood friend, Will Turner (Bloom), to commandeer the fastest ship in the British fleet and go after Elizabeth. As the two get closer to catching the kidnappers aboard the H.M.S. Dauntless, they discover skeletons in Barbossa's closet. It appears that his crew is cursed to live forever as the undead, with the moonlight eerily transforming them into living skeletons, until their treasure of gold is returned in full to them. When Jack realizes he has the gold coin that could release them from their curse, the deadly chase is on.

Bad: Gore Verbinski directed the horror thriller "The Ring" and has incorporated the same knack for intense storytelling in this friendlier pirate tale without the darker elements of a horror movie. For parents believing that this movie will be "kid friendly" like the theme park ride, let me clarify that this is not a children's movie. However, this movie could be considered "teen friendly" because of the mature themes, adult humor and levity throughout the story. By definition a pirate movie is going to have a group of dangerous, unscrupulous characters who drink, use crude language, are filthy to look at and have no qualms about killing. On top of being a nasty bunch, they happen to have a curse on them that makes them turn into ghosts in the moonlight. This crew is willing to do whatever it takes (even kill Elizabeth) to return the gold coin and be freed from their curse. A few funny characters have been thrown in to keep the story humorous (one pirate has a wooden eye that keeps popping out, another has a bird who talks for him, etc.), so the audience doesn't ever take the story too seriously. There are numerous sword fights with casualties and there are other scenes with knives and swords (Elizabeth stabs a dinner knife into Barbossa's chest, but since he's undead, it doesn't hurt him; a fork lands in a pirate's fake eye; Jack shoots a pirate in the chest), but nothing is graphically portrayed. And of course there are the scenes of the pirates in the moonlight who appear in their skeletal form and look disgusting and creepy (flesh falling off their bones and their eyes bulging out). I will say if your children have seen the commercials for the movie, then they've seen the worst of what the pirates look like. But there are still a few scenes that are intense, so parents, you'll need to be discerning about what may frighten or disturb your children, depending on their age and maturity. There are a few mild profanities, some mild sexual innuendoes made by Barbossa and several women slap Jack on the face. There is obviously an abundance of violence because of the numerous battles and fights that various characters get into. And again, there are causalities -- but nothing graphic.

Recently On Movie Features

3 Things Parents Should Know about <em>Kung Fu Panda 4</em>

Editor's Picks

Top 10 Easter Questions Answered for Kids

Popular Today

10 Ways Wives Disrespect Their Husbands (without Even Realizing It)

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Crosswalk App
  • California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information
  • California - CCPA Notice

movie review of pirates of the caribbean

The 10 Best Pirate Movies, Ranked

Why couldn't the pirate get into the movie theatre? Because the movie was rated "ARRR!"

Pirates are a subject that fascinates many. They were thieves who prowled the Seven Seas during the Golden Age of Piracy, which lasted from the 1650s to the 1730s. This 80-year period was when lots of trading was going on in the Atlantic, what with the Europeans newly making land there and all. Thus, the Atlantic was ripe for the picking for anyone who wanted to plunder some loot.

Logically, pirates have been the subject of many movies , although some are better than others. There are multiple options to choose from: some offer different twists on the formula, while others prefer to stick to the status quo. While many are good in their own way, a handful of pirate movies have become iconic in the years since their release and are likely to be remembered for generations to come.

10 'Hook' (1991)

Director: steven spielberg.

Hook is a movie that, for some reason, was panned by critics but adored by audiences . Directed by Steven Spielberg , it stars Robin Williams , adored by many as the ultimate comedic icon. The movie is a sequel to J. M. Barrie 's classic play and novel Peter Pan , of which several movies have also been made. While typical adaptations of the work follow Peter as a boy who never grew up, Hook shows Peter as a middle-aged man who is returning to Neverland after spending time in the real world and aging like normal people do.

Silly but well-intentioned and unashamedly fantastical, Hook is a fitting sequel to a classic story and features some great nostalgic moments . Like many other Spielberg movies, Hook is heartwarming and relatable, telling a story about the importance of never losing one's inner child, especially considering adulthood already demands so much from everyone. So what if the critics didn't like it? Like the best pirates, Hook is subversive and unafraid to go against the norm.

WATCH ON HULU

9 'The Pirate' (1948)

Director: vincente minnelli.

The Pirate is a musical film starring the iconic Gene Kelly . In this movie, he stars as Serafin, a fictional circus performer who whisks a young woman named Manuela, played by the equally legendary Judy Garland , away for a life of adventure. While initially resistant, Manuela eventually falls for Serafin. However, a man named Don Pedro ( Walter Slezak ) is determined to stop this, as Manuela is supposed to marry him instead.

While far from Kelly or Garland's best musical, The Pirate still makes for a good time for both musical and pirate fans. The two protagonists are incredible together, sharing a magnetic yet endearing chemistry that elevates what could easily be a simple love story, and Cole Porter 's songs are simply enchanting. The Pirate is innocent, comedic, and uplifting from start to finish . It might not be particularly daring, but at the end of the day, it doesn't need to be.

RENT ON AMAZON

8 'Castle in the Sky' (1986)

Director: hayao miyazaki.

Studio Ghibli makes masterpiece after masterpiece , and it doesn't look like they'll slow down any time soon. The beautiful, creative, boundless mind of Hayao Miyazaki has given audiences worldwide a collection of some of the most imaginative and wonderful animated films available. Like his other projects, Castle in the Sky is oozing with quality, featuring sky pirates who fly around on airships rather than regular waterborne ships.

Castle in the Sky is unique, beautifully animated, and comes with the standard whimsical adventure that many expect out of Studio Ghibli . There's a genuine sense of awe and wonder here, a ridiculously contagious and adventurous spirit that leaps from the screen and into the hearts and souls of anyone fortunate enough to allow it. This is a classic story with a cool little twist, which is what makes it one of the best and most daring pirate movies out there.

Castle in the Sky

WATCH ON NETFLIX

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

Director: gore verbinski.

Pirates of the Caribbean is the pirate movie franchise. It's a go-to option for a lot of people. The franchise spans five movies, with a planned sixth on the way, and gives a fantastical twist to ordinary pirate stories. While the first three movies are often regarded as the best, none of them are as good as the original, The Curse of the Black Pearl . Disney really struck gold with this franchise, which is probably why they keep bringing it back.

The cast is huge and riddled with well-established actors, and the films explore common themes not only in history but also in pirate folklore. The action is stellar, and the characters are all so unique and fleshed out. The Curse of the Black Pearl has everything expected from a great pirate movie: exciting action, sweeping romance, and thrills at high sea . Anyone who's into pirates will have the best time with this movie, even if its successors can't quite match its disruptive energy.

Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl

WATCH ON DISNEY+

6 'Treasure Planet' (2002)

Directors: john musker, ron clements.

This adaptation of Treasure Island decided to opt for a completely different genre and turn the seafaring pirates into space pirates. Despite this radical change, Treasure Planet remains a fantastically underrated movie . Starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt as the voice of Jim Hawkins, this animated film inserts a whole bunch of new problems that ordinary pirates would never face, such as supernovae and space whales.

What's more, it features a ton of really creative alien species, including the adorable Morph ( Dane Davis ), who accompanies Long John Silver ( Brian Murray ) in place of his signature parrot. As the name implies, rather than an island, the treasure is located on a remote planet in the galaxy. The animation is visually stunning; every frame is drawn with so much care that it's a real shame the movie never took off as much as it could have. Treasure Planet is unabashedly wild and daring, willing to completely reinvent its beloved source material . It's a remarkable pirate movie and a truly distinctive entry into the genre that has never received the recognition it deserves.

Treasure Planet

5 'captain phillips' (2013), director: paul greengrass.

Captain Phillips is probably the only pirate movie out there based on a true story. The film follows the titular Captain Phillips ( Tom Hanks ) as his cargo ship is hijacked by Somali pirates. They are nothing like the fun, cutlass-wielding, peg-leg-wearing seafarers—these are pirates with automatic weapons who are out for blood. Piracy is very much still alive, although it is more common in certain regions of the world, particularly off the Horn of Africa, where the film takes place.

This movie is nothing short of a masterpiece. Tom Hanks delivers an incredible performance as Captain Phillips, expertly supported by Barkhad Abdi , who delivers quite a frightening and convincing role in his first on-screen performance. Aside from the acting achievements, Captain Phillips is tense and rewarding, with a great ending and fantastic action based primarily on using wits rather than brute force . It's a truly disruptive entry into the pirate genre, made for a modern audience with higher stakes.

Captain Phillips

4 'muppet treasure island' (1996), directed by brian henson.

Muppet Treasure Island is one of dozens of movie adaptations of Robert Louis Stevenson 's classic novel Treasure Island. The catch is that this one, of course, stars the Muppets in a whimsical, musical journey across the sea. The movie features classic characters like Kermit the Frog, Fozzie Bear, Rizzo the Rat, Statler and Waldorf, and Gonzo playing different roles, and a handful of new characters, too, such as the legendary Tim Curry playing Long John Silver.

Being the Muppets, there are also some hilarious moments, including Long John Silver carrying around a talking lobster rather than a talking parrot. The songs are super catchy and the movie is endlessly fun right from the get-go. With memorable tunes like "Cabin Fever" and "Shiver My Timbers," Muppet Treasure Island will make audiences laugh and sing right along with the characters . Plus, who doesn't love a good pirate story? Especially one that's been in circulation for so long.

3 'Treasure Island' (1950)

Directed by byron haskin.

Out of all the adaptations of Treasure Island , this one has got to be the best. Even though it's over 70 years old, it still holds up just as much as it did then. No other adaptation of the story has come even close to the amount of quality that this one has. The production value in this movie is honestly really impressive considering the technological limitations at the time of its production, and there isn't a single dull moment to be found throughout.

Treasure Island is the greatest adaptation of Stevenson's novel. It's a shame that people today don't seem to talk about it enough. It features all of the bells and whistles that people think of when they think of the idea of a pirate: eye patches, peg legs, mutiny, pirate booty, swords, and the freedom to do whatever one wants. This movie and the original novel are primarily where most common pirate tropes come from, regardless of how historically accurate they are. It's a must-see for any cinephile, not just for pirate fans.

2 'The Goonies' (1985)

Director: richard donner.

The Goonies features an adventurous group of kids from a small coastal town recently bought by a large corporation that intends to bulldoze their homes to make room for a golf course. Realizing that they will all have to move away and may never see each other again, they decide to search for the long-lost treasure of the infamous pirate One-Eyed Willie, which is supposedly buried nearby.

While the movie doesn't become super pirate-like until the end, it's still a wild ride and a marvelous tale of friendship and childhood. It's one of the most iconic 80s movies because it's so simple yet super effective. The Goonies themselves are all unique and memorable, played by some big names like Ke Huy Quan , Sean Astin , and Corey Feldman . Sweet and earnest, The Goonies is an ode to childhood and the wild sense of hope and excitement that comes with the greatest adventures , an excellent pirate-themed movie that stands as a timeless classic.

The Goonies

1 'the princess bride' (1987), director: rob reiner.

The Princess Bride is the perfect balance between a fairy tale and a thrilling pirate adventure. Framed as a bedtime story told by a grandfather to his sick grandson, the film follows the adventures of former farmhand Westley, who seeks to rescue his love, Princess Buttercup, from the odious Prince Humperdinck. Not much of the movie takes place at sea, but it doesn't have to because it's amazing all the same.

The romance between Westley and Buttercup is heartwarming, and the movie's message about love still holds true nearly 40 years later. The Princess Bride is not only funny and witty, but also adventurous, entertaining, sweeping, and just plain fun , a masterpiece of the fantasy genre that keeps surprising with each turn. This movie has got something for everyone, and it hasn't aged a bit. There isn't a single wasted line of dialogue, and it'll likely go down in history as perhaps one of the greatest movies of all time.

The Princess Bride

NEXT: The 10 Best Knights in Movies and TV, Ranked

Yardbarker

20 facts you might not know about 'Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl'

Posted: March 13, 2024 | Last updated: March 13, 2024

<p>These days, there is nary an intellectual property that hasn’t been turned into a film. Not all that long ago, though, a movie based on a theme park ride yielded skepticism. However, <em>Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl</em> turned into a smash success and weirdly one of the most important films of the new millennium. Really. We’ll get into why, and more, with these 20 facts you might not know about<em> Curse of the Black Pearl</em>.</p>

These days, there is nary an intellectual property that hasn’t been turned into a film. Not all that long ago, though, a movie based on a theme park ride yielded skepticism. However, Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl turned into a smash success and weirdly one of the most important films of the new millennium. Really. We’ll get into why, and more, with these 20 facts you might not know about  Curse of the Black Pearl .

<p>Some Disney executives had the idea of, “Hey, let’s turn that Pirates of the Caribbean ride into a movie” in the early 2000s. The first person to take a crack at the screenplay was Jay Wolpert. Wolpert was approaching 60 when he turned to screenwriting. He spent most of his career as a game show producer, including creating the game show <em>Whew!</em> that has become a cult favorite on the Buzzr channel. Speaking of game shows, Wolpert first found success as a contestant on that front, winning the <em>Jeopardy!</em> "Tournament of Champions" in 1969.</p><p>You may also like: <a href='https://www.yardbarker.com/entertainment/articles/the_best_recurring_seinfeld_characters_022324/s1__28964030'>The best recurring Seinfeld characters</a></p>

The first screenwriter had a fascinating career

Some Disney executives had the idea of, “Hey, let’s turn that Pirates of the Caribbean ride into a movie” in the early 2000s. The first person to take a crack at the screenplay was Jay Wolpert. Wolpert was approaching 60 when he turned to screenwriting. He spent most of his career as a game show producer, including creating the game show Whew! that has become a cult favorite on the Buzzr channel. Speaking of game shows, Wolpert first found success as a contestant on that front, winning the Jeopardy! "Tournament of Champions" in 1969.

You may also like: Music artists who walked away at the top of their game

<p>Wolpert would only end up with a "story by" credit on the film, but he had some of the aspects from the final <em>Curse of the Black Pearl </em>product in the movie. In his version, though, Will Turner was a prison guard, and he released Jack Sparrow to save Elizabeth Swann from a villainous character named Captain Blackheart.</p><p><a href='https://www.msn.com/en-us/community/channel/vid-cj9pqbr0vn9in2b6ddcd8sfgpfq6x6utp44fssrv6mc2gtybw0us'>Follow us on MSN to see more of our exclusive entertainment content.</a></p>

Some of the pieces were in place from Wolpert’s script

Wolpert would only end up with a "story by" credit on the film, but he had some of the aspects from the final Curse of the Black Pearl  product in the movie. In his version, though, Will Turner was a prison guard, and he released Jack Sparrow to save Elizabeth Swann from a villainous character named Captain Blackheart.

Follow us on MSN to see more of our exclusive entertainment content.

<p>When Disney was first developing a <em>Pirates of the Caribbean</em> movie, they weren’t sure just how much to invest in it. For a while, they debated whether or not to release it in theaters or to make it a direct-to-DVD movie. This also played a role in their concepts for casting at the time. They had Matthew McConaughey in mind for Jack Sparrow in a theatrical release, or Cary Elwes if they went the direct-to-DVD route. </p><p>You may also like: <a href='https://www.yardbarker.com/entertainment/articles/bad_movies_that_have_great_soundtracks_022324/s1__37526678'>Bad movies that have great soundtracks</a></p>

Disney wasn’t sure what to do with the movie

When Disney was first developing a Pirates of the Caribbean movie, they weren’t sure just how much to invest in it. For a while, they debated whether or not to release it in theaters or to make it a direct-to-DVD movie. This also played a role in their concepts for casting at the time. They had Matthew McConaughey in mind for Jack Sparrow in a theatrical release, or Cary Elwes if they went the direct-to-DVD route. 

You may also like: 20 albums that only get better with age

<p>After Wolpert’s script, piracy expert Stuart Beattie wrote a new draft. Like Wolpert, he has a "story by" credit on the final film. However, super-producer Jerry Bruckheimer then signed on for the film. He disliked Beattie’s script, not wanting a “straight pirate movie.” The duo of Ted Elliot and Terry Rossio, who have screenplay credit, were then brought in to turn the movie into the supernatural story it became.</p><p><a href='https://www.msn.com/en-us/community/channel/vid-cj9pqbr0vn9in2b6ddcd8sfgpfq6x6utp44fssrv6mc2gtybw0us'>Follow us on MSN to see more of our exclusive entertainment content.</a></p>

A new producer changed the direction of the movie

After Wolpert’s script, piracy expert Stuart Beattie wrote a new draft. Like Wolpert, he has a "story by" credit on the final film. However, super-producer Jerry Bruckheimer then signed on for the film. He disliked Beattie’s script, not wanting a “straight pirate movie.” The duo of Ted Elliot and Terry Rossio, who have screenplay credit, were then brought in to turn the movie into the supernatural story it became.

<p>As soon as the project got going, Gore Verbinski was brought in to direct. He was excited to tackle the film because pirate movies had been popular in the “Golden Age of Hollywood,” but had basically disappeared from the film landscape. Verbinski wanted to use modern technology to do a whole new take on the pirate film.</p><p>You may also like: <a href='https://www.yardbarker.com/entertainment/articles/30_heavy_albums_turning_30_in_2024/s1__40099740'>30 heavy albums turning 30 in 2024</a></p>

The director was enthused by the idea of the film

As soon as the project got going, Gore Verbinski was brought in to direct. He was excited to tackle the film because pirate movies had been popular in the “Golden Age of Hollywood,” but had basically disappeared from the film landscape. Verbinski wanted to use modern technology to do a whole new take on the pirate film.

You may also like: 30 heavy albums turning 30 in 2024

<p>We mentioned McConaughey and Elwes were early names bandied about, but as production went on, other names were thrown into the mix. These names included Christopher Walken, Michael Keaton, and Jim Carrey. Hugh Jackman apparently was a favorite of some, but he wasn’t considered a big-enough name yet. (This was before <em>X-Men</em> hit big.) Ultimately, Johnny Depp would get the role.</p><p><a href='https://www.msn.com/en-us/community/channel/vid-cj9pqbr0vn9in2b6ddcd8sfgpfq6x6utp44fssrv6mc2gtybw0us'>Follow us on MSN to see more of our exclusive entertainment content.</a></p>

A few notable actors were considered for Jack Sparrow

We mentioned McConaughey and Elwes were early names bandied about, but as production went on, other names were thrown into the mix. These names included Christopher Walken, Michael Keaton, and Jim Carrey. Hugh Jackman apparently was a favorite of some, but he wasn’t considered a big-enough name yet. (This was before X-Men hit big.) Ultimately, Johnny Depp would get the role.

<p>Barbossa, the antagonist of the film, is played by Geoffrey Rush in the movie. He’s a fine actor, but he was not the first option. Robert De Niro had been offered the role, but he reportedly turned it down assuming the movie would flop, which had been the case for pirate movies for decades.</p><p>You may also like: <a href='https://www.yardbarker.com/entertainment/articles/anti_hero_the_ultimate_taylor_swift_playlist_022324/s1__30786248'>Anti-Hero: The ultimate Taylor Swift playlist</a></p>

They got their second choice for Captain Barbossa

Barbossa, the antagonist of the film, is played by Geoffrey Rush in the movie. He’s a fine actor, but he was not the first option. Robert De Niro had been offered the role, but he reportedly turned it down assuming the movie would flop, which had been the case for pirate movies for decades.

You may also like: The smartest TV characters of all-time

<p>Jack Sparrow is the showy role, but Will Turner is the classic swashbuckling hero of the piece. Names such as Tobey Maguire, Jude Law, Christian Bale, and Heath Ledger were suggested, and Tom Hiddleston auditioned. Orlando Bloom would get the role, and he actually read the script because Rush had suggested it to him.</p><p><a href='https://www.msn.com/en-us/community/channel/vid-cj9pqbr0vn9in2b6ddcd8sfgpfq6x6utp44fssrv6mc2gtybw0us'>Follow us on MSN to see more of our exclusive entertainment content.</a></p>

A lot of notable names were bandied about to play Will

Jack Sparrow is the showy role, but Will Turner is the classic swashbuckling hero of the piece. Names such as Tobey Maguire, Jude Law, Christian Bale, and Heath Ledger were suggested, and Tom Hiddleston auditioned. Orlando Bloom would get the role, and he actually read the script because Rush had suggested it to him.

<p>In the script, Jack Sparrow as a more straightforward character. Depp, though, didn’t really want to keep things normal. His idea was that pirates were the “rock stars” of the era, so he modeled his character after Keith Richards of The Rolling Stones. He also went ahead and capped his teeth with gold. Disney executive Michael Eisner saw what Depp was doing and proclaimed, “He’s ruining the film!” But eventually, Depp earned the trust of the production, which would work out in the long run.</p><p>You may also like: <a href='https://www.yardbarker.com/entertainment/articles/20_films_that_feel_like_a_vacation_030524/s1__37029440'>20 films that feel like a vacation</a></p>

Depp did his own thing

In the script, Jack Sparrow as a more straightforward character. Depp, though, didn’t really want to keep things normal. His idea was that pirates were the “rock stars” of the era, so he modeled his character after Keith Richards of The Rolling Stones. He also went ahead and capped his teeth with gold. Disney executive Michael Eisner saw what Depp was doing and proclaimed, “He’s ruining the film!” But eventually, Depp earned the trust of the production, which would work out in the long run.

You may also like: 20 celebrities you forgot were in hit animated movies

<p>Depp did a bunch of business, but Rush was cast explicitly because he wouldn’t. Verbinski said he wanted Rush as Barbossa because he wouldn’t try and make the character “complex” and would be happy to just be a “simple” villain character.</p><p><a href='https://www.msn.com/en-us/community/channel/vid-cj9pqbr0vn9in2b6ddcd8sfgpfq6x6utp44fssrv6mc2gtybw0us'>Follow us on MSN to see more of our exclusive entertainment content.</a></p>

Things were more streamlined for Rush

Depp did a bunch of business, but Rush was cast explicitly because he wouldn’t. Verbinski said he wanted Rush as Barbossa because he wouldn’t try and make the character “complex” and would be happy to just be a “simple” villain character.

<p>We mentioned Eisner earlier, and he nearly axed <em>Pirates of the Caribbean</em> before it ever saw the light of day. <em>The Country Bears</em>, also based on a Disney theme park attraction, totally bombed, and that made Eisner nervous the same thing would happen to a <em>Pirates</em> movie. Undeterred, Verbinski had his concept artists keep at it, and this art convinced Eisner to let the film’s production continue.</p><p>You may also like: <a href='https://www.yardbarker.com/entertainment/articles/the_25_best_meryl_streep_films_022324/s1__34328741'>The 25 best Meryl Streep films</a></p>

The movie was almost shut down

We mentioned Eisner earlier, and he nearly axed Pirates of the Caribbean before it ever saw the light of day. The Country Bears , also based on a Disney theme park attraction, totally bombed, and that made Eisner nervous the same thing would happen to a Pirates movie. Undeterred, Verbinski had his concept artists keep at it, and this art convinced Eisner to let the film’s production continue.

You may also like: 20 suspenseful documentaries you’ll want to binge in one sitting

<p>While CGI rules the day in films, and there’s plenty of digital effects in <em>Curse of the Black Pearl</em>, there is also plenty of practical effect work in this movie. Dyes were used to create the rotten teeth and scurvy-affected skin of the pirates. Also, contact lenses were used for several character’s eyes, including Ragetti’s wooden eye.</p><p><a href='https://www.msn.com/en-us/community/channel/vid-cj9pqbr0vn9in2b6ddcd8sfgpfq6x6utp44fssrv6mc2gtybw0us'>Follow us on MSN to see more of our exclusive entertainment content.</a></p>

There were a lot of practical effects

While CGI rules the day in films, and there’s plenty of digital effects in Curse of the Black Pearl , there is also plenty of practical effect work in this movie. Dyes were used to create the rotten teeth and scurvy-affected skin of the pirates. Also, contact lenses were used for several character’s eyes, including Ragetti’s wooden eye.

<p>To find a location to serve as Tortuga and Port Royal, the filming of <em>Curse of the Black Pearl</em> went down to the Caribbean. They settled on St. Vincent as the place to set up shop because there they found the quietest beach that was available to film.</p><p>You may also like: <a href='https://www.yardbarker.com/entertainment/articles/the_20_best_movies_based_on_tv_shows_030524/s1__39199180'>The 20 best movies based on TV shows</a></p>

They went down to the Caribbean to shoot

To find a location to serve as Tortuga and Port Royal, the filming of Curse of the Black Pearl went down to the Caribbean. They settled on St. Vincent as the place to set up shop because there they found the quietest beach that was available to film.

You may also like: 20 facts you might not know about 'A Few Good Men'

<p>Originally, the movie was just going to be called<em> Pirates of the Caribbean</em>. However, Disney added “Curse of the Black Pearl” as a subtitle in case they made sequels, and to try and entice potential filmgoers. This annoyed Verbinski, as in the film the Black Pearl is not cursed. The Aztec gold is the cursed object. Verbinski couldn’t fight the subtitle, but he did ask for the title to be obscured on the poster.</p><p><a href='https://www.msn.com/en-us/community/channel/vid-cj9pqbr0vn9in2b6ddcd8sfgpfq6x6utp44fssrv6mc2gtybw0us'>Follow us on MSN to see more of our exclusive entertainment content.</a></p>

Verbinski did not like the subtitle

Originally, the movie was just going to be called  Pirates of the Caribbean . However, Disney added “Curse of the Black Pearl” as a subtitle in case they made sequels, and to try and entice potential filmgoers. This annoyed Verbinski, as in the film the Black Pearl is not cursed. The Aztec gold is the cursed object. Verbinski couldn’t fight the subtitle, but he did ask for the title to be obscured on the poster.

<p>Disney, the company, had released PG-13 and even R-rated movies. They just did them under other banners, such as Touchstone. <em>Curse of the Black Pearl</em> became the first PG-13 movie to be released under the title of Walt Disney Pictures.</p><p>You may also like: <a href='https://www.yardbarker.com/entertainment/articles/20_facts_you_might_not_know_about_the_fifth_element_031324/s1__37710398'>20 facts you might not know about 'The Fifth Element'</a></p>

The movie made Disney history

Disney, the company, had released PG-13 and even R-rated movies. They just did them under other banners, such as Touchstone. Curse of the Black Pearl became the first PG-13 movie to be released under the title of Walt Disney Pictures.

You may also like: 20 facts you might not know about 'The Fifth Element'

<p>All those fears of another flop of a pirate movie? They proved unfounded. The film topped the domestic box office when it debuted, and it was huge overseas. In fact, <em>Curse of the Black Pearl</em> was the top movie internationally for seven-straight weeks, tying the record with <em>Men in Black II</em>. All in all, it made $654.3 million worldwide, making it the fourth-highest-grossing film of 2003.</p><p><a href='https://www.msn.com/en-us/community/channel/vid-cj9pqbr0vn9in2b6ddcd8sfgpfq6x6utp44fssrv6mc2gtybw0us'>Follow us on MSN to see more of our exclusive entertainment content.</a></p>

It proved massively successful

All those fears of another flop of a pirate movie? They proved unfounded. The film topped the domestic box office when it debuted, and it was huge overseas. In fact, Curse of the Black Pearl was the top movie internationally for seven-straight weeks, tying the record with Men in Black II . All in all, it made $654.3 million worldwide, making it the fourth-highest-grossing film of 2003.

<p>The Academy Awards nominated <em>Curse of the Black Pearl </em>for Best Makeup, Best Sound Editing, Best Sound Mixing, and Best Visual Effects. Oh, and Best Actor. Yes, Johnny Depp, he of all the tics and worrying decisions, was nominated for his turn as Jack Sparrow. He didn’t win, but he showed Eisner and company why he was worth having faith in.</p><p>You may also like: <a href='https://www.yardbarker.com/entertainment/articles/20_tv_shows_you_may_not_know_were_inspired_by_real_life_events_030524/s1__39202474'>20 TV shows you may not know were inspired by real-life events</a></p>

'Pirates of the Caribbean' also got a few Oscar nominations

The Academy Awards nominated Curse of the Black Pearl for Best Makeup, Best Sound Editing, Best Sound Mixing, and Best Visual Effects. Oh, and Best Actor. Yes, Johnny Depp, he of all the tics and worrying decisions, was nominated for his turn as Jack Sparrow. He didn’t win, but he showed Eisner and company why he was worth having faith in.

You may also like: The best final lines from movies

<p><em>Curse of the Black Pearl </em>has yielded, to date, four sequels. Over these movies, the franchise has become one of the most lucrative ever. Two of the films made over $1 billion worldwide. Four of the five films were once in the top 50 in total box office, and two of the movies remain in the top 50. Currently, it’s one of the 15 highest-grossing franchise ever.</p><p><a href='https://www.msn.com/en-us/community/channel/vid-cj9pqbr0vn9in2b6ddcd8sfgpfq6x6utp44fssrv6mc2gtybw0us'>Follow us on MSN to see more of our exclusive entertainment content.</a></p>

It birthed a massively popular film series

Curse of the Black Pearl  has yielded, to date, four sequels. Over these movies, the franchise has become one of the most lucrative ever. Two of the films made over $1 billion worldwide. Four of the five films were once in the top 50 in total box office, and two of the movies remain in the top 50. Currently, it’s one of the 15 highest-grossing franchise ever.

<p>Originally, Disney intended to shoot a fifth and sixth movie in the franchise back-to-back. Instead, only one film, <em>Dead Men Tell No Tales</em>, was shot. That movie came out in 2017, and there has been talk of a sixth film ever since. However, while a director in Joachim Ronning has been attached for years, the movie hasn’t begun shooting. Additionally, Depp has said that he does not intend to return to playing Jack Sparrow. If we get more <em>Pirates</em>, don’t expect more Sparrow.</p><p>You may also like: <a href='https://www.yardbarker.com/entertainment/articles/20_facts_you_may_not_know_about_the_mummy_031324/s1__37678787'>20 facts you may not know about 'The Mummy'</a></p>

Another film may come eventually

Originally, Disney intended to shoot a fifth and sixth movie in the franchise back-to-back. Instead, only one film, Dead Men Tell No Tales , was shot. That movie came out in 2017, and there has been talk of a sixth film ever since. However, while a director in Joachim Ronning has been attached for years, the movie hasn’t begun shooting. Additionally, Depp has said that he does not intend to return to playing Jack Sparrow. If we get more Pirates , don’t expect more Sparrow.

You may also like: 20 facts you may not know about 'The Mummy'

<p>Are you familiar with Ron Gilbert’s <em>Monkey Island</em> series of video games? Some of the folks affiliated with the <em>Pirates of the Caribbean</em> series seem to be. Similarities between the video game franchise and the film franchise have been pointed out, including by Gilbert. There have also been rumors that<em> Curse of the Black Pearl</em> screenwriter Elliott once worked on a screenplay for a nixed adaptation of <em>The Curse of Monkey Island</em>. Of course, inspiration takes many forms. The fourth movie in the <em>Pirates</em> series, <em>On Stranger Tides</em>, is an adaptation of a book of the same name by Tim Powers. Gilbert has said that novel is what inspired his video game series in the first place.</p><p><a href='https://www.msn.com/en-us/community/channel/vid-cj9pqbr0vn9in2b6ddcd8sfgpfq6x6utp44fssrv6mc2gtybw0us'>Did you enjoy this slideshow? Follow us on MSN to see more of our exclusive entertainment content.</a></p>

It has some weird connections to a video game series

Are you familiar with Ron Gilbert’s Monkey Island series of video games? Some of the folks affiliated with the Pirates of the Caribbean series seem to be. Similarities between the video game franchise and the film franchise have been pointed out, including by Gilbert. There have also been rumors that  Curse of the Black Pearl screenwriter Elliott once worked on a screenplay for a nixed adaptation of The Curse of Monkey Island . Of course, inspiration takes many forms. The fourth movie in the Pirates series, On Stranger Tides , is an adaptation of a book of the same name by Tim Powers. Gilbert has said that novel is what inspired his video game series in the first place.

Did you enjoy this slideshow? Follow us on MSN to see more of our exclusive entertainment content.

More for You

Trump Message Attorneys Hearing

Donald Trump Gives His Attorney a Message During Hearing

SEI195015488.jpg

Lauren Boebert rules herself out of special election for Ken Buck’s seat – because she doesn’t want to ‘confuse voters’

Stefanie Smith, 41, was on American Airlines Flight 2790 from Punta Cana to Charlotte, North Carolina when she started convulsing and died

Brother of Indiana mom who died on flight from Dominican Republic reveals cause of death: report

Emma Flint smiling

I'm abrosexual - it took me 30 years to realise

Alabama senator addresses fallout after State of the Union rebuttal

Hear what Katie Britt is saying now in wake of her State of the Union response

The entrance to the Wisconsin Supreme Court chambers in the state Capitol in Madison, Wis. The court on Thursday, March 14, 2024 ruled that religious exemptions to the state's unemployment tax don't apply to a Superior-based Catholic charities ministry. (AP Photo/Todd Richmond)

A Wisconsin ruling on Catholic Charities raises the bar for religious tax exemptions

Trump fundraising off Biden allegedly calling him a ‘sick f—’

Trump cleans up remarks about ‘cutting’ Social Security and Medicare

Kristi Noem faces lawsuit after promoting Texas dentist on social media

Kristi Noem faces lawsuit after promoting Texas dentist on social media

CIA: New documents reveal agency’s role in Jan. 6 Capitol riots

CIA: New documents reveal agency’s role in Jan. 6 Capitol riots

Why Falcons' Robinson Won't Rule Out Ridder

BREAKING: Falcons Trade QB Ridder to Cardinals, Land WR Moore

Speaker Johnson: ‘There will probably be a change’ to motion to vacate next Congress

Speaker Johnson: ‘There will probably be a change’ to motion to vacate next Congress

Putin said Trump wasn't happy with him in 2020 because he thought the Russian leader wanted 'Sleepy Joe to win'

Putin said Trump wasn't happy with him in 2020 because he thought the Russian leader wanted 'Sleepy Joe to win'

Former president Donald Trump hammered Biden on immigration during a rally on Saturday in Rome, Ga.

Trump has a bunch of new false claims. Here’s a guide.

Angolan flag in the wind, Namibe Province, Tombua, Angola on November 29, 2010 in Tombua, Angola.

50 die in witchcraft rituals after drinking "mysterious liquid"

Bill to Evict Squatters Immediately Passes Unanimously Sparking ‘Positive Hope’ Among Property Owners

Bill to Evict Squatters Immediately Passes Unanimously Sparking ‘Positive Hope’ Among Property Owners

The Best, Worst, and Most Memorable Moments of the 2024 Oscars

The Best, Worst, and Most Memorable Moments of the 2024 Oscars

Fetterman

John Fetterman 'Betrayed All of Us,' Says Democrat PAC

Screenshot 2024-03-14 151259.png

SpaceX loses Starship, the biggest and most powerful spacecraft ever made

Avoid Answering Calls from These Area Codes: Scam Phone Numbers Guide

Avoid Answering Calls from These Area Codes: Scam Phone Numbers Guide

Letter: Americans will do the right thing and vote against Trump

Column: Proof for some of the worst claims about Trump

Movie Review: Pirates Of The Caribbean: At World's End

Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End

Who would have thought that a descent movie could be made from a theme park attraction. After all, isn't it usually the other way around? But somehow, someway, Pirates of the Caribbean became an overnight sensation. Most people would be quick to point to Johnny Depp as the reason for the film's success. And I would say that is very accurate.

Dead Man's Chest failed to capture audiences the same way the original by making the film anti-Jack Sparrow. Disney took the only interesting character, and tried all they could to make the audience hate him. In the process, they filled the rest of the story with a stuffy, boring, and way too serious plot involving Orlando and Keira's characters. The screenwriters borrowed much from the Heroes Journey and the Star Wars films, but to bad effect. The film ended with Jack being imprisoned much like Han Solo was in Empire. But fans felt gipped.

So the question is: Does Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End deliver where Dead Man's Chest didn't?

Well, the first time I saw At World's End I came out pretty down on the whole affair. The press screening I was invited to ended abruptly as the digital print (is it called a print?) was corrupted half way through. I found the film to be incomprehensible at times, as there was too much going on with way too many characters. Imagine Spider-Man 3's problems times 5. But I returned to the movie theater the following day and saw the film (the whole film this time) in a new light. I now understood what was going on, and came out of the theater with a smile on my face.

I enjoyed the flick much more than Dead Man's Chest. But I may be in the minority because of my viewing experience. The film is not without it's problems: too many characters, trying to accomplish too much...etc. But I assure you this is not as thrown together as you might first believe. All of the characters have motives, and sometimes even secret motives. Everyone is well rounded and three dimensional. But at the same time, it's hard to keep track of it all. It's hard to figure out who made what deal with who. It's hard to figure out what motivates some of the characters, although I assure you, all the characters have an arc of their own.

I also, like most, crave epic films. It's rare to sit in a movie theater now a days and feel like you're watching the next blockbuster classic. But you watch Pirates and will have the feeling that you may have also gotten while watching Lord of the Rings.

Does World's End successfully make you care about Orlando and Keira's characters? Nope. I think all is lost in that arena. But the task of trying to rescue Jack motivates the story enough to draw your interest, and hold it for the first hour.

I don't want to give much (or any) of the plot away, so that you will go in clean. The film ends with a thirty to forty five minute action sequence climax that needs to be seen on the big screen. There is sword fighting, explosions, acrobatics, and much much more. This sequence is worth your ten bucks alone.

/Film Rating: 7 out of 10

Log in or sign up for Rotten Tomatoes

Trouble logging in?

By continuing, you agree to the Privacy Policy and the Terms and Policies , and to receive email from the Fandango Media Brands .

By creating an account, you agree to the Privacy Policy and the Terms and Policies , and to receive email from Rotten Tomatoes and to receive email from the Fandango Media Brands .

By creating an account, you agree to the Privacy Policy and the Terms and Policies , and to receive email from Rotten Tomatoes.

Email not verified

Let's keep in touch.

Rotten Tomatoes Newsletter

Sign up for the Rotten Tomatoes newsletter to get weekly updates on:

  • Upcoming Movies and TV shows
  • Trivia & Rotten Tomatoes Podcast
  • Media News + More

By clicking "Sign Me Up," you are agreeing to receive occasional emails and communications from Fandango Media (Fandango, Vudu, and Rotten Tomatoes) and consenting to Fandango's Privacy Policy and Terms and Policies . Please allow 10 business days for your account to reflect your preferences.

OK, got it!

Movies / TV

No results found.

  • What's the Tomatometer®?
  • Login/signup

movie review of pirates of the caribbean

Movies in theaters

  • Opening this week
  • Top box office
  • Coming soon to theaters
  • Certified fresh movies

Movies at home

  • Netflix streaming
  • Prime Video
  • Most popular streaming movies
  • What to Watch New

Certified fresh picks

  • Dune: Part Two Link to Dune: Part Two
  • Love Lies Bleeding Link to Love Lies Bleeding
  • Orion and the Dark Link to Orion and the Dark

New TV Tonight

  • Invincible: Season 2
  • The Academy Awards: Season 96
  • Manhunt: Season 1
  • The Girls on the Bus: Season 1
  • Boat Story: Season 1
  • Apples Never Fall: Season 1
  • Young Royals: Season 3
  • Girls5eva: Season 3
  • Chicken Nugget: Season 1
  • The McBee Dynasty: Real American Cowboys: Season 1

Most Popular TV on RT

  • The Gentlemen: Season 1
  • Shōgun: Season 1
  • Avatar: The Last Airbender: Season 1
  • The Signal: Season 1
  • The Tourist: Season 2
  • 3 Body Problem: Season 1
  • The Regime: Season 1
  • One Day: Season 1
  • Best TV Shows
  • Most Popular TV
  • TV & Streaming News

Certified fresh pick

  • Elsbeth: Season 1 Link to Elsbeth: Season 1
  • All-Time Lists
  • Binge Guide
  • Comics on TV
  • Five Favorite Films
  • Video Interviews
  • Weekend Box Office
  • Weekly Ketchup
  • What to Watch

Best Horror Movies of 2024 Ranked – New Scary Movies to Watch

SXSW 2024: Movie Scorecard

Women’s History

Awards Tour

Watch the X-Men Take Down an Army of Sentinels in An Exclusive Sneak Peek of X-Men ’97

The Fall Guy First Reviews: Critics at SXSW Say It’s ‘Clever, Charming, and Full of laughs’

  • Trending on RT
  • Play Movie Trivia
  • Love Lies Bleeding
  • Dune: Part 2

Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End Reviews

movie review of pirates of the caribbean

An epic finale, this overlong, overstuffed film manages to neatly resolve all the loose ends from the previous entry, even if it takes considerable time to do so.

Full Review | Original Score: 5/10 | Nov 27, 2020

movie review of pirates of the caribbean

Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End is marginally more coherent than last year's sequel-a very small mercy. It is, however, just as bloated, requiring a level of familiarity with both its predecessors.

Full Review | Sep 2, 2020

movie review of pirates of the caribbean

At World's End is nearly three hours long, so it does feel a little padded, but for the most part the film moves at a reasonable pace - even if it almost stumbles to the finish while trying to tie up all the loose ends.

Full Review | Original Score: B- | Nov 21, 2019

movie review of pirates of the caribbean

Poised to bring in enough pirate booty to break the $1 billion box office barrier, from the end of the world to your town, set sail for Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End. Yo ho, yo ho. It's a pirates life for me!!

Full Review | Nov 14, 2019

The buccaneers have charisma. [Full review in Spanish]

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Jul 17, 2019

movie review of pirates of the caribbean

Overlong (it clocks in at 168 minutes, just shy of three hours long) and too frightfully busy to retain the nimble qualities of the original.

Full Review | Original Score: 2/4 | Jun 5, 2019

movie review of pirates of the caribbean

But even spectacles have their limits. Eventually there has to be substance to go with all that style, and that's where "At World's End" falls short.

Full Review | Original Score: 2/4 | May 30, 2019

movie review of pirates of the caribbean

I found it an improvement over Dead Man's Chest but just barely.

Full Review | Original Score: C+ | Mar 12, 2019

movie review of pirates of the caribbean

What began as a thrilling and engrossing entertainer ends up as a terribly tedious franchisee -- the convoluted plot leaves you more confused than involved.

Full Review | Original Score: 2/4 | Jan 25, 2019

movie review of pirates of the caribbean

A pirate's appeal is based in large part on his status as a renegade. But Verbinski gives us pirate codes, law books, and congresses-hardly the stuff of swashbuckling lore.

Full Review | Oct 16, 2018

movie review of pirates of the caribbean

The movie ends up like Davy Jones himself -- many-tentacled, full of bluster, and devoid of a beating heart.

Full Review | Original Score: C+ | Dec 8, 2015

movie review of pirates of the caribbean

As epic summer movies go, At World's End was pretty good. But don't try to make sense of anything, or you may suffer an aneurysm.

Full Review | Original Score: 3.5/5 | Apr 28, 2014

Just how much are you willing to forgive Johnny Depp and that sea-dog swagger of his?

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Nov 3, 2012

movie review of pirates of the caribbean

While it fails in matching the unpredictable excitement of the original, this is more of what I'd want in Pirates sequels. Just a little less of it.

Full Review | Original Score: 5/10 | Aug 16, 2012

Full Review | Original Score: 2/5 | Nov 18, 2011

movie review of pirates of the caribbean

Full Review | Original Score: 1/5 | Nov 17, 2011

If nothing else, Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End's ambition and moral ambiguity still set it apart from the pack, but as a send off to the trilogy it staggers across the finish line more than winning out right.

Full Review | Original Score: 7/10 | Apr 25, 2011

Another piddling blockbuster with delusions of 'darkness'

Full Review | Aug 27, 2009

movie review of pirates of the caribbean

[Verbinski] borrows from a half-dozen mythologies to construct a fitting punishment for the culture of narcissism, compulsive consumption, and greed that makes movies like this one necessary.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/4 | Apr 23, 2009

movie review of pirates of the caribbean

Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End is a hearty, bumpy sea marathon. For some, it will be a fun ride; for others, it will be an ordeal. I'm somewhere in between.

Full Review | Original Score: 2.5/5 | Feb 2, 2009

Evacuated from Pirates of the Caribbean at Disney World's Magic Kingdom Miles from Main Street - Your Far from Disney Podcast

  • Places & Travel

We've returned from Walt Disney World and we have some fun things to share.  We start with some conversation of the type of trip we had and how everyone fit in. This was a trip originated by Tammy and Bryan with their two daughters and Tammy's mom coming along. With a stay at the Polynesian Resort, Mykhailo and Kristin come along and did their best to pretend they were staying there with us.  We cover some of this dynamic before we get into the excitement of being evacuated from Pirates of the Caribbean! While in the Magic Kingdom, we were able to get backstage when Pirates went down. It was a great experience and we get into the details of this neat happening. We end up including some of the other troubled ride experiences we had during the trip which leads Bryan and Mykhailo down a rabbit hole about the state of the rides in the parks. We get into discussing some of the financials around Disney+ and the trouble they had with their movies and how this may be effecting the parks.  A fun conversation that is one of those typical tangents that we like to go on. We'll get into more of the trip on upcoming episodes, but definitely wanted to talk about Pirates of the Caribbean. Make sure you hit that subscribe button so you know when there are new episodes. Do you want to share your experiences? Be sure to leave us a voice mail on our website and we'll play it on our show! Let's talk on our social media pages or send us an email! Join our Facebook Community group Facebook Instagram Website We appreciate you joining us this week and every week and would love to hear from you! Finally, please leave us a review and rate us on Apple Podcasts and Podchaser so that others can find us! It's time to press play – Let’s talk about it!

  • More Episodes
  • © 2024 Miles from Main Street - Your Far from Disney Podcast

IMAGES

  1. REVIEW

    movie review of pirates of the caribbean

  2. PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: ON STRANGER TIDES (2011) Reviews and overview

    movie review of pirates of the caribbean

  3. Film Review of Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides

    movie review of pirates of the caribbean

  4. Film Review: Pirates Of The Caribbean: The Curse Of The Black Pearl

    movie review of pirates of the caribbean

  5. Pirates of the Caribbean 5 Review: Johnny Depp Still Rules the Sea

    movie review of pirates of the caribbean

  6. Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl Movie Synopsis

    movie review of pirates of the caribbean

VIDEO

  1. ☠️Pirates of the caribbean Movies Ranked

  2. pirates of Caribbean movie factsS1factstar #facts #youtubeshorts #share #subscribe #youtube #

  3. The 5 BEST Pirates Of The Caribbean Movies! BEST to WORST

  4. Pirates of the Caribbean 1 released

  5. Pirates of the Caribbean

  6. New Pirates of the Caribbean Movie

COMMENTS

  1. Pirates of the Caribbean Movies Ranked

    Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (2011)33%. #4. Critics Consensus: It's shorter and leaner than the previous sequel, but this Pirates runs aground on a disjointed plot and a non-stop barrage of noisy action sequences. Synopsis: The checkered past of Capt. Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) catches up to him when he encounters Angelica ...

  2. Pirates of the Caribbean

    Starring: Johnny Depp, Geoffrey Rush, Orlando Bloom. Director: Gore Verbinski. Thanks to the efforts of Jerry Bruckheimer, Gore Verbinski, and a sashaying Johnny Depp, what was once just a ride at ...

  3. Pirates Of The Caribbean: The Curse Of The Black Pearl

    There's a nice little 90-minute B movie trapped inside the 143 minutes of "Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl," a movie that charms the audience and then outstays its welcome. Although the ending leaves open the possibility of a sequel, the movie feels like it already includes the sequel; maybe that explains the double-barreled title.

  4. Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl

    Movie Info. Capt. Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) arrives at Port Royal in the Caribbean without a ship or crew. His timing is inopportune, however, because later that evening the town is besieged by a ...

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

    Awesome action and swashbuckling adventure, great music from the likes of Hans Zimmer, good visuals and Johnny Depp's hilarious improvisational performance as Captain Jack Sparrow (the other performances are good as well but Depp's the highlight and you damn well know it) make the first Pirates of the Caribbean adventure a fun action flick that's not only a great first non-Touchstone/Hollywood ...

  6. Pirates Of The Caribbean: The Curse Of The Black Pearl Review

    Year after year, lazy poster quotes try to convince audiences that the latest blockbuster movie is "a rollercoaster ride". Pirates Of The Caribbean does, in actual fact, have its roots in a theme ...

  7. Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl

    For the roguish yet charming Captain Jack Sparrow (Depp), the crystalline waters if the Caribbean present a vast playground where adventure and mystery abound. But Jack's idyllic pirate life capsizes after his nemesis, the wily Captain Barbossa (Rush), steals his ship, the Black Pearl, and kidnaps the Governor's (Pryce) beautiful daughter, Elizabeth Swann (Knightley). (Disney)

  8. Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl

    Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl: Directed by Gore Verbinski. With Johnny Depp, Geoffrey Rush, Orlando Bloom, Keira Knightley. Blacksmith Will Turner teams up with eccentric pirate "Captain" Jack Sparrow to save his love, the governor's daughter, from Jack's former pirate allies, who are now undead.

  9. Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl

    Full Review | Original Score: 4.5/5 | Jan 3, 2022. Mikel Zorrilla Espinof. This comedy is well integrated into the story, helping us to get to know the characters and the relationships that arise ...

  10. Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl

    Courted by a stuffy commodore, a beautiful girl secretly pines for a humble blacksmith, who is equally smitten with her. A ghostly galleon full of "undead" pirates pays a visit in search of a gold doubloon needed to reverse a curse. And the flamboyant, bejeweled, displaced Capt. Jack Sparrow, a former member of the buccaneers' crew, blows ...

  11. Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl

    A lot of action violence, characters killed. Some. Parents need to know that Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl is a swashbuckling pirate adventure based on the famous Disney ride that stars Johnny Depp, Keira Knightley, and Orlando Bloom. The movie is not especially graphic but does feature things like an undead pirate crew ...

  12. Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End Movie Review

    Our review: Even though this series' third and supposedly final adventure is more action-packed than the first two sagas, it's still overlong and bewildering. There's no denying that the billion-dollar Pirates of the Caribbean franchise is wildly entertaining. But Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End has so many story developments and ...

  13. Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl Movie Review for

    Why is Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl rated PG-13? The PG-13 rating is for action/adventure violence.Latest news about Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, starring Johnny Depp, Keira Knightley, Orlando Bloom and directed by .

  14. All 5 'Pirates of the Caribbean' Movies, Ranked by Rewatchability

    Directed by Rob Marshall. Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides makes the fundamental mistake of making Jack Sparrow a leading character. The first three films understand Sparrow works best ...

  15. 'Pirates Of The Caribbean' Movie Review: How Was The 5th Film

    We finally have a female character worthy of filling the vacuum left by Keira Knightley's smart, fearless, Elizabeth Swann. English actress Kaya Scodelario, 25, steps into the skirts of bright ...

  16. How to Watch the Pirates of the Caribbean Movies in Chronological ...

    In the early 2000s, Disney's Pirates of the Caribbean introduced moviegoers to one of the decade's most iconic film characters: Johhny Depp's quick-witted pirate lord, Captain Jack Sparrow.

  17. Pirates Of The Caribbean: At World's End Review

    Pirates Of The Caribbean: At World's End Review. Elizabeth Swann (Knightley), Will Turner (Bloom), Tia (Harris) and the reincarnated Barbossa (Rush) head to Singapore to meet Captain Sao Feng ...

  18. Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End

    Watch Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End with a subscription on Disney+, rent on Vudu, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, or buy on Vudu, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV. Rate And Review.

  19. "Pirates of the Caribbean"

    Rating: PG-13 (for action/adventure violence) Release Date: July 9, 2003. Actors: Johnny Depp, Geoffrey Rush, Orlando Bloom, Tom Wilkinson, Keira Knightly, Jonathan Pryce, Jack Davenport. Director ...

  20. The 10 Best Pirate Movies, Ranked

    Pirates of the Caribbean is the pirate movie franchise. It's a go-to option for a lot of people. The franchise spans five movies, with a planned sixth on the way, and gives a fantastical twist to ...

  21. Pirates of the Caribbean (film series)

    Pirates of the Caribbean is an American fantasy supernatural swashbuckler film series produced by Jerry Bruckheimer and based on Walt Disney's theme park attraction of the same name.The film series serves as a major component of the titular media franchise.Based on a fictionalized version of the Golden Age of Piracy (which is circa 1650-1726), the films' plots are set primarily in the Caribbean.

  22. 20 facts you might not know about 'Pirates of the Caribbean: The ...

    Some Disney executives had the idea of, "Hey, let's turn that Pirates of the Caribbean ride into a movie" in the early 2000s. The first person to take a crack at the screenplay was Jay Wolpert.

  23. Movie Review: Pirates Of The Caribbean: At World's End

    In the process, they filled the rest of the story with a stuffy, boring, and way too serious plot involving Orlando and Keira's characters. The screenwriters borrowed much from the Heroes Journey ...

  24. Pirates of the Caribbean Star Refused to Do Motion Capture for Their

    Dune: Part Two hit theaters this weekend, and reviews for the sequel have been top-tier. The movie is currently up on Rotten Tomatoes with a 94% critics score and 95% audience score. The film sees ...

  25. Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales

    Thrust into an all-new adventure, a down-on-his-luck Capt. Jack Sparrow feels the winds of ill-fortune blowing even more strongly when deadly ghost sailors led by his old nemesis, the evil Capt ...

  26. Disney Permanently Cuts 'Pirates of the Caribbean' Storyline

    The Pirates of the Caribbean franchise has blown up to be larger than Disney could have ever expected, with five movies (starting. with Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl) making ...

  27. Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End

    Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End is a hearty, bumpy sea marathon. For some, it will be a fun ride; for others, it will be an ordeal. I'm somewhere in between. Full Review | Original Score ...

  28. Evacuated from Pirates of the Caribbean at Disney World's Magic Kingdom

    With a stay at the Polynesian Resort, Mykhailo and Kristin come along and did their best to pretend they were staying there with us. We cover some of this dynamic before we get into the excitement of being evacuated from Pirates of the Caribbean! While in the Magic Kingdom, we were able to get backstage when Pirates went down.