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

The very end of "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest" was more like the end of a play's first act, after which the audience had to endure a nine month intermission. The second act--"Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End"--begins practically where the last film left off, in which Captain Barbossa (Geoffrey Rush) made an unexpected return after Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) was swallowed by the kraken. Not surprisingly, such a surprise ending got me all revved up for yet another round of swashbuckling fun, and I spent the year on pins and needles. If only this new film lived up to my expectations: while it is very entertaining, and while it is still worth recommending for sheer escapism, I'd be lying if I said that it matches the quality of the first two films.

Part of the problem is that everything about this film is simply too big. The number of new characters alone is quite distracting, especially since they all make important contributions to the story. The subplots are piled on top of each other, resulting in a film that's needlessly complicated and overly energized. I'd be hard pressed to give a decent synopsis, because in all honestly, I'm not sure I caught on to everything. From what I can gather, it seems that the instigator of this new story is Tia Dalma (Naomi Harris), the mysterious voodoo woman responsible for Barbossa's resurrection (which, in my opinion, was explained far too casually). Apparently, he's one of the nine pirate lords, and the time has come for them to join forces against the elusive (but undeniably evil) East India Trading Company, now under the control of the dastardly Lord Cutler Beckett (Tom Hollander).

But one of the lords--our beloved Captain Sparrow--remains lost, body and soul, in Davy Jones' Locker, meaning that Barbossa and regulars Elizabeth Swann (Keira Knightly) and Will Turner (Orlando Bloom) have to sail to the ends of the earth to find him. I mean this literally; they eventually spill over a waterfall that would put Niagara Falls to shame. But it seems this is the only way to reach the Locker, which is like a pirate's version of purgatory. We actually get to see this otherworldly realm during one of the film's most baffling scenes; Sparrow is in a surrealistic desert landscape, commanding the Black Pearl crewed by hallucinogenic clones of himself. This scene was constructed with an unwelcome mixture of comedy and pure weirdness, and I simply didn't understand the purpose of it. Was there really no other way to represent purgatory?

By the time Barbossa and the others come to the rescue, Witty Jack has become Funny Jack, which completely works against his character as established in the first film. He was introduced as a flamboyant conniver, undeniably charming and full of biting wit. However, despite a well-developed sense of humor, he was never reduced to pure comedy relief. I can't say the same in terms of "At World's End"; Jack Sparrow has become the main source of the film's humor, ready with slews of one-liners, a seemingly incurable urge to argue, and snappy retorts. I distinctly remember an unnecessary moment with his Good/Bad conscience, classically represented by miniature clones atop his shoulders. Why I remember this, I don't know; it added absolutely nothing to the story, save for a couple of humorous lines.

And then there are the hordes of subplots, all of which prove that every character has at least three hidden agendas. For one thing, the relationship between Will and Elizabeth is suffering: Elizabeth is forced to come clean about her role in Jack's demise; Will is still obsessed with rescuing his father (Stellan Skarsgard) from an eternity of servitude on the Flying Dutchman. Jack and Will fight for the severed, still-beating heart of Davy Jones (Bill Nighy) because, in one way or another, they'll both benefit from it being stabbed. Davy Jones, now under the control of Beckett, is both frightened and excited at the prospect of reuniting with Calypso, the sea goddess who broke his heart (literally) before taking on human form (whose form, I dare not say). Captain Sao Feng (Chow Yun-Fat)--one of the nine pirate lords--takes special interest in both Jack and Elizabeth. Tia Dalma's significance increases dramatically, albeit not in a way that's easily understood; by the time her true nature is revealed, one can't help but wonder what the point was.

Ultimately, it becomes an exhausting process of trying to figure out who's doing what to whom and why. Jack alone changes allegiances more times than I can remember, and each time, he proposes yet another intricate plan that everyone knows is only for his benefit. But that's too limiting; overall, "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End" is an overstuffed film, sure to disappoint--but not entirely let down--both new audiences and diehard fans of the first two films. Still, I'm giving it four stars because it delivers in some very key areas: the special effects are incredible; the basic story between Jack, Will, and Elizabeth is engaging; the action scenes are plentiful and frenetic; Hans Zimmer's score is robust and energetic. And yes, we even get what we've been promised from the very beginning: a special appearance by Keith Richards.

The Pirates of the Caribbean series has been enjoyable from the very beginning. With the incredible non-stop action and good acting. The third in the series is an epic of a movie running over two and a half hours long. If you have not watched the previous two in the series don't bother watching this movie until you have seen those.

The movie starts off with a rather grim intro. Just when you think a hero will get involved they don't. It seems as though the world is doing everything to get rid of pirates. As the journey begins we are then reintroduced to all the wonderful actors that have been involved in this series.

For the pirates to continue on they need their ultimate hero, Captain Jack Sparrow. Although this movie is filled with an all star cast that can't just rely on the heroic antics of Sparrow. I would have to say this movie is filled with action and a lot of violence although not a lot of gore. The movie probably would not be good for small children. So saying this movie is for families is probably a misnomer.

What sets this version apart from the DVD version is the beautiful picture quality and wonderful sound. I was totally impressed with the breath taking picture in this film. Watching it on a big screen t.v. makes it very worthwhile. The movie also comes with uncompressed sound which helps create a lifelike environment that you can only find in the theatres.

In the end I would have to say this movie is not for everyone. The action is non-stop and the violence is continuous. If you haven't watched the other two movies you probably shouldn't view this first since there are a lot of details in the story you wouldn't know otherwise. This is a great film that should be viewed by everyone who has enjoyed the series.

Buy Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End (2007) Now

Unless you are a die-hard PotC fan, don't waste extra money on the 2-disc Special Edition thinking it will have hours of extras, behind the scenes, and other extraneous material. It doesn't. With all the features combined, it doesn't even amount to an hour's worth of material. Just buy the standard Pirates 3 DVD, and save $15.00

Unlike the Pirates 2 DVD, there is NO Making-Of Documentary, which was a major letdown. The featurettes on the Pirates 3 DVD are short, and moderately interesting. "The Making of Sao Feng's Map" ?? Yeaah.. greaaat.

How about some background on the many visual effects (Davy Jones, the Black Pearl flipping underwater, Callypso's transformation, the meeting of the two fleets in battle, etc). Instead we get featurettes that are lacking, somewhat boring, and utterly short.

I don't know if it was a budget thing, or what, but most movies with the production scale of Pirates 3 put a camera crew behind the scenes for a mind-blowing making-of.

As for the film itself, it is not as good as Pirates 1&2. They tried to do WAY too much in terms of story. There are far too many characters, storylines, and plot twists. Captain Jack hops through the plot like a game of hopscotch, befriending and betraying just about every character with a speaking role. By the end of the movie, it is tiring, and ultimately detaches the viewer from the overall plot.

Elizabeth's journey in Pirates 3 is unrealistic, even for a fictional movie. You get the feeling that the writers really had no ideas for her character within the framework set by the first movie, so came up with some radical ideas on the fly to try and keep Keira's presence in the film strong.

Will's individual journey to redeem his father and get revenge on Davy Jones is yet another plot thread which detracts from the overall story.

And just when you think the movie can't get anymore intricate, the writers decide to throw the Callypso plot thread in. This doesn't even make sense for the overall story, aside to create the Maelstrom in which there is a 20-minute sequence in. Why couldn't the Maelstrom be created naturally?

I am a huge pirate fan, and fan of the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, but ultimately, I was letdown by the conclusion of this trilogy. I did not leave the theater going, "Wow. That was amazing." I actually couldn't wait for the film to end. There was too much thrown in, between the many plotlines, constantly shifting alliances between the characters, Callypso, the Brethren Court, Davy Jones, World's End, etc etc etc. My feelings are that the Writers were flying blind (this is evident in the 2nd Pirates Movie, when Gore Verbinski was days from shooting and the Writers had NO SCRIPT.) I can picture them panicking and throwing together this mish-mash of a plot which in some cases contradicts the framework laid out in the 1st movie.

People say that there is a chance for a Pirates 4. In this age of sequels, I wouldn't doubt it. I just hope they return to the basics and don't try to do insanely huge epics with so many plot turns that the audience actually begins to wish the film would just end. Pirates 1 was the perfect film. They should have stuck to that format.

3 stars.

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There once was a pirate named Jack

Who was constantly under attack

The last movie's shocker

Sent him to the Locker

The trick now is getting him back

Though hardly a tried and true friend

Barbossa leads them to World's End

It wasn't a squall

But a huge waterfall

That sent the group clean round the bend

Jack's having some deep consultations

With all of his hallucinations

The stones that he grabs

Turn out to be crabs

That live there in vast populations

The Pearl now has too many bosses

As over the waves the ship tosses

At the time of the flash

They upturn with a splash

Leaving Davy Jones counting his losses

The viewer will not be dismayed

To learn that they've all been betrayed

Cross AND double cross

Is how it comes across

As each player has their own crusade

Lord Beckett commands Davy Jones

Who is bound by the heart that he owns

They get into port

For the Brethren Court

Driving fear into the pirates' bones

In an effort to keep things afloat

The pirate lords call for a vote

Jack fiddles the thing

And soon there's a king

Though the king feels more like a scapegoat

Calypso has longed to be free

Once trapped by the pirates' decree

She summons a storm

The ocean to transform

While howling just like a banshee

There's lots more to this soggy tale

With its battle scenes of massive scale

Tales of father and son

And of loves lost and won

But I won't bore you now with detail

New characters give it a boost

Though Keith Richards' role seems quite reduced

Added to that

There's now Chow Yun-Fat

But it's dreadfully over-produced

For almost three hours or more

This movie you'll have to endure

Though perfect in places

It's full of dull spaces

Though I wouldn't say that it's a bore

Rated: 3.5 stars

Amanda Richards, June 3, 2007

Pirates of the Caribbean The Curse of the Black Pearl (Two-Disc Collector's Edition)

Want Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End (2007) Discount?

Sure the story is a bit confusing at times, but that just makes me want to see it again. Johnny Depp lacked a little something in Dead Man's Chest, but he is back in true form here. Orlando Bloom has gotten better in the acting department and it was great to see Geoffrey Rush back as Barbossa. I really thought Keira Knightley pulled off the tough chick thing here and that surprised me. The CGI is incredible and the music will have you moving in your seat. Don't listen to the critics and just have a good time with characters we all love.

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