Pirates Of The Caribbean - The Curse Of The Black Pearl - 1 disc [2003] - DVD (Johnny Depp, Lee Arenberg, Orlando Bloom, Keira Knightley, Geoffrey Rush - Dir: Gore Verbinski)

The movie that helped breathe new life into the summer blockbuster, the success of Pirates Of The Caribbean: Curse Of The Black Pearl is remarkable for several reasons.

Firstly, there's the unlikely source material. There's no previous history of theme park rides inspiring major hit movies, yet that's just what's happened here. Secondly, there's the patchy performance of pirate-related movies over the years (does anyone remember seeing Cutthroat Island in a cinema?). And then there's that performance from Johnny Depp, the one that had Disney executives in a flap prior to the release of the movie. His Captain Jack Sparrow is a fantastic, unlikely creation, proving to be both unpredictable yet utterly compelling. Such is his impact on the film that it's hardly surprising Depp snared an Oscar nomination for the role.

Yet Depp's performance shouldn't blind anyone to the film's many other qualities. The supporting cast, particularly the likes of Geoffrey Rush, Jack Davenport and Jonathan Pryce are all clearly having a whale of a time, while Gore Verbinski's pacey yet controlled direction rarely lets the momentum slow. And with all their work grounded by a quality script and worthwhile story, the end result is a film that clicks in many, many different ways.

Of course, it's now proved the inspiration for a pair of sequels, yet no matter how they turn out, Pirates Of The Caribbean: Curse Of The Black Pearl will always stand as a quite brilliant example of what happens on those rare occasions when Hollywood blockbusters get it absolutely right. And it's a treat that can easily be enjoyed time after time.--Simon Brew

Customer Reviews of Pirates Of The Caribbean - The Curse Of The Black Pearl - 1 disc [2003]

Mouseman
England
2nd January 2009

A bit of midless fun
From my perspective as a 20-something man I found this film quite good.

It didn't wow me. The plot is a little cobbled together if you ask me.

Mr Depp seems to like playing English characters. Did he do a Dick van Dyke and murder a cockney accent? No, it was actually OK - he seemed to have based it on Kieth Richards - the guitarist in the Rolling Stones. His performance was very understated - though he didn't have to work too hard with that - his character was a drunken pirate after all. In fact he seemed stoned more than anything.

Kiera Knightley has no personality. Which was fine for this role - just look pretty and play the damsel in distress. Don't expect an Oscar anytime soon though Miss Knightly.

Jack Davenport is another one who seems to play the same character each time. It is like the makers of the film looked at a list called "posh guys who are quite handsome". He was at the top, sorry Patrick Baladi, maybe next time?

Orlando Bloom is a pretty boy, apparently a pin-up, though to me he is reminiscent of a rodent. I find his face quite annoying - he has this habit of smirking that really puts me off him. He seems a bit smug - which makes him unlikable - not good for an actor. His performance was OK - again not much acting required, just look pretty - so good casting there.

Depp's character is supposed to be a lovable buffoon. The chracter isn't that likable and I don't think having a buffoon for a lead character fills the audience with that much confidence. Though thinking about it - the lead character being a swashbuckling hero would have made it predictable and cliched. So what do I know?

I am always anxious when an American film is based on British characters because they tend to overdo the "Britishness". My fear is that they will crow-bar in any funny British dialogue just to make the point that "Look! These people are BRITISH - aren't they strange with their language and mannerisms.." just to satisfy insular Americans. However this film surprised me. It didn't have any of that, there wasn't a "bloke" or a "mate" used out of context.

The movie is certainly lavish looking and they didn't scrimp on the budget to make this film look great.

In conclusion, the plot needed to be better and the dialogue could be improved. But all in all, it wasn't bad and certainly not an unenjoyable 2 hours.

Book Worm

26th October 2008

Hilarious!
Swashbuckling pirates, cursed baddies, sea battles, sword fighting, danger and a good deal of rum - WHAT MORE COULD YOU WANT?!? Johnny Depp's FAB! With a great array of back-stage animators creating the 'cursed' affect, Pirates of the Caribbean is your perfect family film! Plus, it's absolutely hilarious!

Some say this is the best, but I'll leave that to you to decide. But there is one thing I DO know - and that is that after you've watched POTC 1, there's no stopping you until you've seen all three!!!

H. Butler
Berkshire, England
24th September 2008

Brilliant!
As a responsible, mature adult with a certain amount of education...I loved every moment of this film. Fantastic humour, a great cast and a brilliant plot. The perfect film.

Stuff lover
Glasgow, Scotland
21st February 2008

The most fun you could have with your clothes on...
As countless people have remarked the success of Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (*phew*) came as somewhat of a surprise given its origins as a ride at one of the Disney theme parks. The threat was that it would be a "comedy adventure", and we all know those words side by side normally lead to dire scripts, slapstick violence, and poor acting. Somehow though the whole thing came together wonderfully thanks to a number of factors.

Firstly there's the script. Its a tight beast that maybe could have done with the tiniest bit of trimming but not so much as to be a flaw. Its difficult to imagine how the cast couldn't have had a whale of a time delivering the lines they've been given. The crosses, and double crosses that twist and turn the story are fun to watch (unlike in the later films in the series) and the pace rattles along brilliantly.

Then there's the effects and the battle scenes. Ghostly pirates (and a monkey) make for creepy villains that will excite kids without giving them nightmares. Fantastic sea battles with all cannons blazing (not necessarily with cannonballs) are a treat for the eye, and the swordfights are choreographed to perfection. All this takes place to a thumping, piratey soundtrack. Its impossible to describe a piratey soundtrack but just listen to this one... You'll agree with me I promise.

Then there's the cast. Kiera Knightly spends a movie just having to be gorgeous and pouty and she does so with aplomb, its even forgivable when they have her do other things because she gets back to being gorgeous and pouty quickly enough. Similarly Orlando Bloom is more wooden than a pirate ship's deck but he's being paid to be handsome and dashing and let Johnny Depp get the good lines and he does these things remarkably well. The supporting cast is also top class with Johnathan Pryce and Jack Davenport obviously relishing their roles as the stuffed shirts amongst the anarchy. Special mention has to go to Geoffrey Rush as the mutinous, mangy, tricky and undead Cap'n Barbossa who chews up the scenery with a bout of glorious buccaneer based overacting that is a joy to watch. In any other film it would have been Rush's show but he had to play second fiddle in this one. From the moment we see Captain Jack Sparrow's "grand" entrance he's enthralling to watch. Johnny Depp's demented performance raises laughs and excitement all the way through as he lurches onward stealing all the best lines and boats. If there is a better movie character from this decade than Jack Sparrow I'll be amazed- although if there is it will probably be Johnny Depp that plays him too.

I've watched this movie more times than I remember and I never get bored of it. The plot is stupid enough to allow kids to follow while the script offers plenty for adults to buy into. Its that rarest of things, a blockbuster that succeeds on every level and its just a pity they couldn't maintain that momentum in the sequels.

Beaker
Hull, England
18th January 2008

Entertaining, light hearted fun.
The first time I watched this movie it did nothing for me. I only watched the sequel out of boredom but found I enjoyed it enough to revisit 'The Curse of the Black Pearl' to give it another try. I do prefer the second 2 movies but this is still good. Johnny Depp is excellent and the supporting cast all turn in good performances. This is a comedy and as long as you dont take it too seriously, you will find it an enjoyable watch ... just leave your brain at the door and enjoy. That goes for the whole trilogy aswell.