Pirates just went splat

[pouncingpluto]

I liked it! No, it wasn't quite as good as first, but I don't think it was a ton worse... the biggest difference is that it doesn't take people by surprise how good it is. Lack of hype versus hype makes all the difference in the world. I went to a 3:50 showing (before most people are home from work), and it was sold out.

 

[*Robin*]

some good news:
Pirates set to break records...

I don't think there is a soul on the dis that won't go see it... (now I'm sure I'll hear from 20 that won't) ...It's the people that aren't die hard fans that I hope will ignore the critics and go see it anyway...

 

[mitros]

OK, slightly , but I have to ask. Why would anyone want to go to {any} movie the first day, or, the first week, for that matter? Would that be a person that also likes to go to WDW in the middle of the high season? Personally, we wait till the second or third week to go see a movie. No lady with big hair sitting in front of you, no hoards of screaming teeny boppers, no swearing teenagers, etc., etc. You can sit anywhere you want, you can stretch your legs out in the aisle, no line at the concession stand, I could actually go on and on, but I think I made my point. But, that's just me.

 

[MJMcBride]

As for the box office, the bad reviews make it seem much more likely that Pirates will have a big dropoff after what's bound to be a huge opening weekend.

I agree it can break all the one day records it wants but bad word of mouth kills movies quickly. A large percentage of bad reviews usually equals bad word of mouth. Granted sometimes it doesn't matter like in Phantom Menace but that is the exception to the rule.

 

[MJMcBride]

some good news:
Pirates set to break records...

I don't think there is a soul on the dis that won't go see it... (now I'm sure I'll hear from 20 that won't) ...It's the people that aren't die hard fans that I hope will ignore the critics and go see it anyway...

If it does hit $90 to $100 million its first weekend, then it won't matter how bad word of mouth is it will be a hit. Even if it gets $160 to $170 which is a lock with a $100 million first weekend, it should be one of the top movies of the year.

 

[BethA]

We were going to go today, but everything for every show was sold out.

I would never be a good movie critic because i usually enjoy the movies they hate.

 

[YoHo]

OK, slightly , but I have to ask. Why would anyone want to go to {any} movie the first day, or, the first week, for that matter? Would that be a person that also likes to go to WDW in the middle of the high season? Personally, we wait till the second or third week to go see a movie. No lady with big hair sitting in front of you, no hoards of screaming teeny boppers, no swearing teenagers, etc., etc. You can sit anywhere you want, you can stretch your legs out in the aisle, no line at the concession stand, I could actually go on and on, but I think I made my point. But, that's just me.

90% of movies suck. Generally the only movies I see are movies I've really been wanting to see/can't wait to see.

If I'm willing to wait 2-3 weeks, then I'm willing to wait 6 months for the DVD.
If I want to see it in the THeater, then it's important to me and I want to be part of the specticle of it all

 

[CarnotaurDad]

We just got back from a 7 PM showing and it was packed. Personally, I liked it better than the first. It reminds me of the difference between Star Wars and Empire Strikes Back (personally). This one was quite a bit darker with some moral ambiguity around most.

Good thing we know that Elizabeth and William can't be brother and sister!

 

[*Robin*]

90% of movies suck. Generally the only movies I see are movies I've really been wanting to see/can't wait to see.

If I'm willing to wait 2-3 weeks, then I'm willing to wait 6 months for the DVD.
If I want to see it in the THeater, then it's important to me and I want to be part of the specticle of it all

Exactly!!

 

[Uncleromulus]

Mitros:
I always wait until they come on Pay-per-view---even LESS of a hassle then!!

 

[Prinny27]

Ok, so how AWESOME was the movie? I absolutely loved it. The theater was packed last night and everyone was clapping and laughing loudly. Especially at the end - everyone was screaming. I was afraid the movie wasn't going to be nearly as good as the first, but I think it was even better! There was so much action and comedy and the 2.5 hours FLEW BY for me.

 

[Disney MAINEiac]

I can't believe what i just saw a movie review by Jeffrey Lyons, he stated the movie was to "confusing" he had trouble following he plot (HELLO!) my kids didn't have any trouble. After he got done ripping the film apart he begrudgingly admits "I suppose it will make a lot of money though". Well duh maybe it's because as an elitist snob your way outta touch with the mainstream american movie going public Gee thanks mister professional movie critic for trying to save me from myself, sheesh

this movie was great go see it and judge for yourself

 

[bevgray]

Well, being a pirate fan from way back (one of the things I loved about the first Pirates of the Caribbean was the flavor of the old 1940s swashbuckler films), I was really looking forward to seeing this one. I also figured it would not capture the sheer glee of the first one...just as EMPIRE STRIKES BACK could not begin to carry through with same charm as the first STAR WARS film. In fact, as we waited for the film to start, I said to my fellah, "I wonder. Just how do you top skeletal pirates?" Well, in my opinion, the haunted, tormented Davey Jones does just that.

The storyline, director, and cast did not even attempt to re-capture the same delight of the first film. They simply took the film on a slightly darker turn and, in my opinion, raised it a few notches. While I adored the first film for its fun and zest, I absolutely was floored by the second to the point that I was gasping. The characters are developing instead of remaining in the same place. The closest thing I can equate this to is Harry Potter where the characters go through the same process of growing. If you are going to do a sequel, I think having the characters change instead of remaining static or frozen is the only way to go. Elizabeth, for example, is not simply the governor's pretty daughter as she was in the first film. She is a woman who went through a terrifying experience and who is discovering that she too has strengths and weaknesses. That this is beginning to cause her some distress rings true throughout this new film.

Yet, unlike STAR WARS where the darkening of plot and character twists took a huge amount of the fun out of the film, DEAD MAN'S CHEST manages to still keep that sly, wicked sense of humor. It is masterful in its interplay of fun (sometimes to the point of silly fun) to the abrubt switch to a darker tone. For Pirate fans, I don't think you'll be disappointed. I liked it as well, if not better, than the first film simply because of the depth of the story. For those who just like a darn good film and appreciate the craftsmanship of cinematography, you will enjoy it immensely.

As to the reviewers who are panning...in my hometown paper, the reviewer also said it was "confusing". I looked back over other films he has reviewed. Those that are "grown up" movies (the ones that I usually won't see because they are mostly trumped up soap operas or smug literary in tone) always get raves from him. Movies that I consider "just good yarns", he always pans. It could be that DEAD MAN'S CHEST is like the difference between Disney World or Las Vegas. Grown ups go to Las Vegas. Those of us who are still children go to Disney World.

 

[faeflora]

OK, slightly , but I have to ask. Why would anyone want to go to {any} movie the first day, or, the first week, for that matter? Would that be a person that also likes to go to WDW in the middle of the high season? Personally, we wait till the second or third week to go see a movie. No lady with big hair sitting in front of you, no hoards of screaming teeny boppers, no swearing teenagers, etc., etc. You can sit anywhere you want, you can stretch your legs out in the aisle, no line at the concession stand, I could actually go on and on, but I think I made my point. But, that's just me.

I love the excitement of opening week, just to see the reaction of the audience. I have to say I normally only see opening week films for my big favs like Pirates, Harry Potter, Pixar.
Now that I work at the Disney Store, I did opening week for Cars and Pirates because I need to be able to discuss the movie with our guests (it makes for a great excuse)

 

[*Robin*]

It took the all time top spot for opening day...

Yes!

I'm a movie junkie...forgive me for the updates...lol


Box office mojo

 

[kaybird]

We loved it also, a treat to be included in our grown children's late movie nite.
We watched the first one on the 4th to "get ready"

I enjoy a movie like this at opening because spoilers haven't gotten around, and the excitement of the crowd is contageous.

We loved the subtle jokes re both the ride and the first movie. Kind of like a special secret with the cast. (and hundreds and thousands of other people we don't know) Like Back to the future, it made no bones or apologies concerning the 3rd movie coming. We all know it, and hopefully are looking forward to it! (Memorial Day 2007!!)

Can't wait til August trip to see the changes in the ride!!

"It's the Bible! You get credit for trying!"

 

[mitros]

90% of movies suck. Generally the only movies I see are movies I've really been wanting to see/can't wait to see.

If I'm willing to wait 2-3 weeks, then I'm willing to wait 6 months for the DVD.
If I want to see it in the THeater, then it's important to me and I want to be part of the specticle of it all

I agree with much of what you say,YoHo, but somehow watching a DVD, even on a 60" screen with a surround sound stereo system, is just not the same {to me} as sitting in an almost empty theatre with a 40' screen and actual theatre style surround sound, and eating double cholestoral [spl?]popcorn and a 66 ounce coke. Kind of like going on ElRio DelTiempo at 11AM the second week of January. Very relaxing. Mmm, I wonder if I can take a bucket of popcorn and a giant coke on the boat?

 

[ChrisFL]

sheesh, if I had a 60" HDTV with Surround Sound, I'd probably never step into a movie theater again.

Even when I've been at a theater with a few people, there ALWAYS seem to be some distractions that ruin it for me (babies crying, people translating the movie to the person next to them, people yelling at the screen)

 

[Luv2Roam]

I have a tendency to stay away from movie theatres too, for many of the same reasons mentioned in the above post.
Not many little kids in this show, and everyone was riveted. (Did not hear ONE cell phone!) As long as it was, very few got up for a break, as what we see in many movies of even shorter length.
Very good movie. In some ways I liked the first better. In some ways I like this one better. They are both very entertaining and thought out. Worth plunking down the money to see, unlike most of Hollywood flicks.
The ending was great I thought. It makes viewers look VERY forward to the 3rd installment!

 

[Experiment #626]

The movie was OK, definately a bridge movie for the third. THough it did not live up to the high expectations I had for it, it was definately worth the money

One big question I have as I walked out was why the monkey was still undead if the Aztec Curse was lifted in POTC1.