Let's be the critics...... some fun with Pirates.....

[cindyfan]

I see lots of posts going for Pirates....
But thought I would start one just for everyone to post thumbs up or down...
And opinions....
It seems everyone in our neighbor hood has seen it this weekend. And many want to see it again.
I thought it was great. Different enough from the first to still make it "fresh".
I still thought the first was better... and here is why.....
#2 was just a little too dark and "grotesque" for my tastes. I really enjoyed the skeletons in the first, and this one has some phenominal special effects. But they took it a step too far with all the gross sea creature stuff. And........... I find it hard to believe that Will and Elizabeth are the only people that have good teeth!

But the thing that does bother me.... is the marketing of products. It seems they are marketing to the 5 to 12 age group! This is a PG-13 movie! There is a lot of violence and gore! There were way too many 5 to 8 year olds at the theatre.

But overall....... we loved it and can't wait for #3.

 

[sistertrip]

Overall, loved the movie. There were certain little things I didn't like about it, but they weren't enough to make me dislike the movie.

 

[JakeJoshMom]

We saw the movie at a Drive In. What a neat experience.
It was had for me to give the movie my full consentration with my 6 year old and 2.5 year old with us.
They watched the movie a little and played games a lot.
I cannot wait to watch it over and over like I have the 1st one. I catch something I didn't notice nearly everytime I rewatch the 1st one.

 

[msmickminn]

From me!!

Capn Jack couldn't look better but I'd have to agree that there were just a bit too many "squishy...gooey" effects for my taste.

But overall....

 

[Squirlz]

You're correct about the rating faux pas.

It definitely should have been rated...
















...wait for it.....
















ARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!

 

[dbm20th]

OK, I didn't go on the first weekend, because I didn't want to fight the crowds. I saw it last night...

It is very different from the Black Pearl, and the difference is in the general feel of the film. The comic, whimsical tone of the first film, the same tone that the ride brought, is nearly entirely lost. Instead we have a more dark and plot focused film. If you liked the first one because Jack Sparrow was funny, and it was a light-hearted swashbuckler, you may not like this one much at all. Most of the smiling sword fights and funny lines, have been replaced with deadly duels and lost souls. It can be heavy, and much more intense.

This chapter does a great job in developing the characters. Nothing was more curious to me then Swann and Turner sticking up for and saving Jack Sparrow at the end of the first film. Clearly Sparrow had no interest in helping them. It was only coincidence that the three crossed paths. So when this film was being made, I was praying that Sparrow and Turner weren't suddenly turned into Luke and Han. They were not. In fact, you leave this movie with a bad taste in your mouth about Sparrow, wondering why they would want to help him again. But they do, and perhaps in the final chapter they will be rewarded for their work.

Without revealing too much, the relationship between Swann and Sparrow is getting very curious. This storyline could really be terrible, but Keira Knightley is a much better actor then the first allowed her to be, and these scenes prove that. Also, Norrington's characters has developed quite a bit and he can be very good in the final chapter.

One final note. The CG is amazing. Though the bad guys are hard to except and are perhaps a bit silly, the Kracken is amazing and absolutely everything about Davy Jones, from actor to animation, is fantastic.

If you are looking for fun and laughs, this isn't your film. But if you are looking for a great fantasy film, this is it. It is unlike anything you have seen in story and visuals, and the two final films have the potential of really being satisfying. Prepare yourself before you go for a much different experience from The Black Pearl, and you will not be let down.

 

[CarnotaurDad]

Ahhh....but the very reason that William and Ms. Swan want to help Jack at the end is the very reason why I LOVE this movie so much. It is very emotionally complex.

SPOILER FOR THOSE WHO DON'T WANT TO KNOW ANYTHING.....








* Remember, at the end William sees Elizabeth kiss Jack. William does NOT know that she did it for the reason of shackling him up and Elizabeth does NOT know that William saw him.

* So, William agrees to save Jack because he loves Elizabeth so much that he sincerely does want her to be happy, even at his own expense.

* And Elizabeth agrees to save Jack because if she does not, everyone will know that she set him up.

I love it. It is emotionally charged and extremely complex. This movie delves WAY beyond the surface emotions of the first movie and, as such, I think it is a far better film than expected.

JMHO

 

[dbm20th]

MAJOR SPOILER HERE!!!!

True, but they are also convinced Jack is a "good man". And he has given them no reason to ever think that. And now, thanks to Swann's little trick, things get even more strained. Also, there was cleary more to that kiss then simply saving her own skin. And now she sides with Barbossa? This is getting good....

 

[mrp4352]

So when this film was being made, I was praying that Sparrow and Turner weren't suddenly turned into Luke and Han. They were not. In fact, you leave this movie with a bad taste in your mouth about Sparrow, wondering why they would want to help him again. But they do, and perhaps in the final chapter they will be rewarded for their work.

Ah, but there is the obvious Swann and Sparrow turning into Luke and Han thing. Which I thought was quite cleverly foreshadowed throughout the first movie, even though I didn't notice that until after seeing the second movie.

To me, Jack is a good man. He is a pirate, yes, but he is very honorable. He protected his men as best as he could by becoming the king of cannibles (well, the crown might have helped convince him a little there). More importanly, after he escaped the shackles, he chose to stay and fight the kraken. He could very easily have jumped off the boat, swam for the dhingy with everyone else and saved his skin. But doing that would a) expose everyone to the greater threat of a furious Davy Jones and b) expose Elizabeth for tricking him. For the greater good, he stayed to fight the kraken.

Finally, I hope(think) that in the third movie, we'll see Elizabeth dumping Will for Jack. Will doesn't want to be a pirate, Elizabeth not only desperately wants the freedom being a pirate would give her, but she is also very good at it and (although she won't admit it) she is in love with Jack. Personally, I don't think Jack is a one-woman type of man and she'll either learn to live with that or move on to a pirate who is a one-woman man.

Well, that's my 2 cents (although it's really probably closer to a nickel's worth). Hope this isn't too confusing!

 

[dbm20th]

Will doesn't want to be a pirate, Elizabeth not only desperately wants the freedom being a pirate would give her, but she is also very good at it and (although she won't admit it) she is in love with Jack.

Unless, of course, Bootstrap changes that in Will. Or the fact that piracy dying out changes that as well. These plots twists are all good, and are what makes this film an excellent film.

 

[MJMcBride]

but Keira Knightley is a much better actor then the first allowed her to be, and these scenes prove that.

You're just saying that because you think she's hot.

 

[dbm20th]

You're just saying that because you think she's hot.

She is hot. She also happens to be a good actor. That's a terrific combination...

 

[kjkcool]

All I got to say is !
Loved it!I could barely hear what they were saying at my local theater but loved all I could hear and all I could see. I don't like how they are marketing this to little kids.It's a PG-13 film and disney says it's great for the whole family.I would say it's good for ages 10 and up not any younger.

 

[CarnotaurDad]

Quote: True, but they are also convinced Jack is a "good man".

I disagree. I don't think either Will or Elizabeth think that he is a "good man". That is the crux of the emotional challenge at the end. JMHO, but I personally love that about these movies. They are not as straightforward as they seem.

 

[The_Horned_King]

Can't think of a better thing to have my first post on then perhaps one of my favorite movie triliogies of all time!(( I saw triliogy...even though the final movie isn't out yet. However already this series has already taken it's place on my movie thrown near INDY, and Starwars))

First...great movie! From the gripping story that furthers the plot and the characters. To some of the best special effects yet in a movie. Davey and his crew are fantastic, and are some of the best creatures I have seen yet.
I'm sorry some of you fell they we're to disgustiing, but they were pretty spot on for the creatures of the sea.

The Kracken...WOW!!! that is all I can say.

Second The darkness of the movie, to be honest I didn't see it as any darker then the first. Actually less so...Undead Skeletal Pirate are much scarier then octipussmen.

Third, Bad teeth...well Pretty much history tells us they all would have bad teeth even Will and Liz.

Fourth, As for marketing, I don't see Disney really marketing it to kids. But I would much rather take a kid to see this movie then Shrek which has jokes that are far more adult then the jokes or themes of this movie.

Fifth, Will and Elizabeth will end up together. There is doubt about it. as For WHY they helped Jack in the first movie it's quite simple actually...deep down they are Pirates at Heart. from second one of the first movie we know Liz likes pirates. While she may not say so outloud she idolizes them for thier adverturous ways and carefree additude. Will why apprehensive by the end of the first move is a pirate weither he wants to be or not. His actons are not that of an noble man, but that of a pirate and continue to be through this movie. The best way to look at this rag rag bunch isn't like cut throat pirates, but ROBIN HOOD on the SEVEN SEAS. They break the law, but are good at heart.

Well I've probably rambled to much for you all ready.
Thats just my 2 cents.
Justin

 

[Another Voice]

As for marketing, I don't see Disney really marketing it to kids.

So all those McDonald's happy meals toys are aimed right at the AARP set?

 

[CarnotaurDad]

AV, just as an FYI, there were no Happy Meal toys for this movie. Last one that Disney did was for Cars.

 

[Another Voice]

FYI - The McDonalds down the road has a large banner demanding everyone stop so our kids can enjoy one of eight toys. These include a little Johnny Depp doll, a blow-up sword and a replica of The Dead Man's Chest (beating heart not include I suppose).

FYI - go to http://www.happymeal.com/potc/ and see all those "non-existant" McDonald's meals. And just prove McDonald's isn't advertising to childern, be sure to check out the title at the top that says "Hey Kids, this is Advertising" in a nice bold font. And I'm sure all the senior citizens will have lots of fun playing the games and checking out the "cool stuff" to be found on the site as well.

You can also sign up for e-mails about all the things they won't be offering in the future.

 

[CarnotaurDad]

Thanks, AV, my bad. Our MickeyD's told us there were no Happy Meals with POTC. Guess they were wrong.

 

[Another Voice]

Actually, my appologizes Mr. Dad. That came off harsh it wasn't intended (never post on the Internet during a really bad meeting).