Pirates Of The Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest Review

HIGHS

• The short version here is if you liked Pirates of the Caribbean, I see no reason why you wouldn't enjoy its sequel. The themes and humor are carried over nicely and all the important players are back for the second act.
• After the completely unexpected success of the first film, due in no small part to Johnny Depp's highly entertaining performance, a fear of mine going into Dead Man's Chest was that it would become something of a Jack Sparrow Comedy Show with endless over-the-top pratfalls and zingers. I was pleased to see that Capt. Jack was kept very much in check and the supporting cast gets a generous amount of screen time to boot.
• Easily some of the best special effects I've seen in any movie. Davy Jones in particular looks astonishingly realistic. It's always refreshing when a big budget film uses effects to enhance the story, not the other way around. I'm looking directly at you, Mr. Lucas.
• The film has a cliffhanger ending (with a surprise guest!) that can be enjoyed because we all know the 3rd chapter has already been filmed. No, Capt. Jack isn't sent back to the Wild West when his DeLorean is struck by lighting.
• This is, for all intents and purposes, what a summer blockbuster should be.
  

LOWS

• While Dead Man's Chest is very entertaining, the script isn't nearly as tight as the first one. This film meanders quite a bit and, much like Jack, doesn't seem to quite have its bearings a lot of the time.
• I still can't shake this feeling that Keira Knightley is faking her accent!
• I wish to institute a 3 Rum Joke Limit for all pirate films from this point forward.
  

Torrey's Opinion:
5- Strongly Recommended
4- Recommended
3- A Mixed Bag
2- Sub-par
1- Don't Bother

Random related fact: This film marks the first time Johnny Depp has ever reprised a previous role.