DVD Movie Review: Pirates of the Caribbean, The Curse of The Black Pearl

This is an online review of the DVD Pirates of the Caribbean, The Curse of The Black Pearl. With movie synopsis, cast, pictures, wallpapers, quotes, where to buy it and more.

 
     
 

DVD Movie Review: Pirates of the Caribbean, The Curse of The Black Pearl

DVD Review: Pirates of the Caribbean, The Curse of The Black PearlSynopsis:
From producer Jerry Bruckheimer comes Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, the thrilling, high-seas adventure with a mysterious twist. The roguish yet charming Captain Jack Sparrow's (Johnny Depp) idyllic pirate life capsizes after his nemesis, the wily Captain Barbossa (Geoffrey Rush), steals his ship, the Black Pearl, and later attacks the town of Port Royal, kidnapping the governor's beautiful daughter Elizabeth (Keira Knightley).

In a gallant attempt to rescue her and recapture the Black Pearl, Elizabeth's childhood friend Will Turner (Orlando Bloom) joins forces with Jack. What Will doesn't know is that a cursed treasure has doomed Barbossa and his crew to live forever as the undead. Rich in suspense-filled adventure, sword-clashing action, mystery, humor, unforgettable characters, and never-before-seen special effects, Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl is a must-have epic on the grandest scale ever.

Editor's Note:
Loosely inspired by the time-honored Disney theme-park ride, PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: THE CURSE OF THE BLACK PEARL is a swashbuckling high-seas tale directed by Gore Verbinski. When Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp), an eccentric rogue, arrives at Port Royal, he barely avoids going down with his ship. Soon enough, he's in the market for a new one, but not before he saves the life of Elizabeth Swann (Keira Knightley), the beautiful daughter of the governor (Jonathan Pryce). This act of bravery sets into motion a sweeping adventure involving Elizabeth's childhood friend, blacksmith Will Turner (Orlando Bloom); a mysterious medallion; and a legendary pirate ship, the Black Pearl. The Pearl's mottled Captain Barbossa (Geoffrey Rush) wants Elizabeth's doubloon necklace, and when she's kidnapped by the ol' salty dog and his crew, Sparrow and young Will must rescue her and find out the truth behind the ship's curse.

Verbinski's PIRATES is a welcome throwback to Hollywood offerings of yesteryear, filled with rope-swinging heroes, crusty villains, treasure hoards, swift swordplay, and even wittier wordplay. Screenwriters Terry Rossio and Ted Elliott have crafted one of the most clever action-movie scripts in many moons, and this gives the filmmakers and cast (especially Depp) plenty of room to cut loose. Although the skeletal pirates may be a bit frightening for small children, there's lots of humor to temper the scary moments, making PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: THE CURSE OF THE BLACK PEARL a nearly flawless fun film.

Cast: Johnny Depp, Geoffrey Rush, Jack Davenport, Keira Knightley, Orlando Bloom
Director:
Gore Verbinski

Pirates of the Caribbean, The Curse of The Black Pearl Pictures and Wallpapers:
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Prices and where to buy it:
You can buy the DVD Pirates of the Caribbean, The Curse of The Black Pearl at Amazon.com

Critic Quotes and Reviews:

  • Entertainment Weekly "...It's ornate and breathless..." 07/18/2003 p.53-4
  • New York Times "...An often frenetic, colorful and enchanting comic adventure....The dazzling, high-flying silliness is quite an achievement..." 07/09/2003 p.E5
  • USA Today "...A big-budget popcorn movie that delivers what moviegoers hunger for: humor, action, thrills and charismatic characters..." 07/09/2003 p.4D
  • Chicago Sun-Times "...[Depp's] performance is original in every atom..." 07/09/2003 p.55
  • Variety "...[With] disarming humor, engaging acting and colorful action bursts..." 07/14/2003 p.22-32
  • Rolling Stone "...Depp swans through this swashbuckler with a scene-stealing gusto unseen since Marlon Brando in MUTINY ON THE BOUNTY..." 08/07/2003 p.78
  • Box Office "...Depp casts a spell every bit as powerful as any demonic bullion..." 09/01/2003 p.124
  • Sight and Sound "..The most satisfying of this summer's blockbusters....Lively, humorous and well-cast..." 09/01/2003 p.59-60
  • Us Weekly "...The swashbuckling smash stars a hysterical Johnny Depp..." 12/15/2003 p.84
  • Total Film "[Depp's] dippy delivery gives Gore Verbinski's pirate swashbuckler its gleeful sense of salty swish." 07/01/2006 p.128
  • James Berardinelli's ReelViews 7 of 10 Pirates of the Caribbean is good, but not great. Swashbuckling adventures are few and far between these days, so it's a pleasant surprise to see one that is competently made. To add to the enjoyment, the movie never takes itself too seriously. If there wasn't so much action, it would be tempting to classify the production as a comedy. Alas, Pirates of the Caribbean runs for a good 30 minutes too long (the protracted battles with the undead, who cannot be killed, become repetitive), and the denouement is on the weak side. Taken as a whole, however, the movie represents solid fun. - James Berardinelli
  • Chicago Sun-Times 8 of 10 ...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. - Roger Ebert

DVD Information:
Format: DVD, Widescreen
Genre: Adventure / Pirates
Runtime: 143 minutes
Screen Aspect: Widescreen (2.35:1)
Sound Quality: English DTS 5.1 Digital Surround Sound, Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound, French
Subtitles: French
Media Quantity: 1 or 2 DVD Discs

Other Information and Links:
Studio: Buena Vista (Disney)
Theatrical Release Date: 2003
DVD Release Date: 5/16/2006

DVD Features:

  • "Fly on the Set" Featurettes
  • THX Certified -- Includes THX Optimizer
  • Producer's Photo Diary with Jerry Bruckheimer
  • "Diary of a Ship"
  • "Diary of a Pirate"
  • Image Gallery
  • Blooper Reel
  • "Below Deck:" An Interactive History Of Pirates
  • "An Epic At Sea:" The Making of Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse Of The Black Pearl
  • Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color
  • Moonlight Scene Progression
  • 19 Deleted and Alternate Scenes
  • Multiple Audio Commentaries with Johnny Depp and Gore Verbinski; Jerry Bruckheimer; Keira Knightley and Jack Davenport; Writers Ted Elliott & Terry Rossio and Stuart Beattie and Jay Wolpert

 

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