Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest

"does the second 'Pirates of the Caribbean' sink or swim?"



Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest (12a)
Dir. Gore Verbinski

Reviewed by Matt Adcock

There is a legend which will seal the fate of many seafarers and cinema goers alike this summer. A fearful tale of damnation and blood debts, filled with hideous monsters from the deepest depths and supernatural captains commanding cursed crews of miscreants. The legend is enough strike terror into the heart of all who witness it, everyone that is but for one man…Captain Jack Sparrow, and that’s because he’s the star….
Yes following 2003’s surprise pirate action blockbuster Pirates of the Caribbean, eccentric Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) has been press ganged back into service along with the dashing Will Turner (Orlando Bloom) and gorgeous Elizabeth Swann (Keira Knightley). Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest picks up right after the first film with Swann all dressed up ready to marry Will Turner. Needless to say, things go pear shaped before the titles have had the chance to stop rolling and another rip roaring high adventure takes sail.
This time there is a real anticipation and a burden upon the filmmakers to deliver a sequel worthy of the original. The question pirates fans the world over are asking is – can Dead Man’s Chest recapture the sense of fun, spectacle and full scale nautical misadventure that made the original so good?
In a word ‘almost’ – this sequel is a bloated addition to the series and serves as the middle of a planned trilogy (part three was shot back to back with this – like The Matrix Reloaded / Revolutions). In places it is every bit as wonderful as part one but you cannot help feeling that there has almost been too much money and not enough innovation thrown at the screen. The good stuff includes the return of Depp’s loveably dubious Captain Sparrow who again steals the show effortlessly. Bill Nighy’s freakish Davy Jones who is part man – mostly squid is a marvel to behold too and the special effects are all rather lovely. High praise must also go to the delicious Keira Knightley (who I found to be just as fun, sexy and down to earth as you might wish for when I met her) and she gets to kick some serious pirate butt this time.
Fans of the original will certainly find much to enjoy here but those who have somehow managed not to see part one yet really should make the effort before tackling this chapter.

Darkmatters rating system (out of 5):

Action ööö – Set piece a thon ahoy!!
Laughs ööö – Some great one liners
Horror ööö – Surprsingly grim in places
Babes öööö – Keira Keira Keira!

Overall öööö (if you liked the first... but then I liked Matrix Reloaded!?)


"when all else fails... fun away!!"

Keira Knightley interview

Darkmatters: H O M E