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Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) is a pirate who's infamous for his incompetence. After
rescuing Elizabeth Swann (Keira Knightley), he finds himself being thanked by her father (Jonathan Pryce) and her fiance (Jack Davenport) while simultaneously being arrested
for piracy. He escapes, but, after losing a duel with the heroic blacksmith Will Turner (Orlando Bloom), who has an unexpressed devotion for Elizabeth, he is sent back to
jail. However, when the town comes under attack by the pirate ship Black Pearl, and its blackguard of a captain, Barbossa (Geoffrey Rush), kidnaps Elizabeth, Will springs Jack
from prison so the pirate can help him retrieve his beloved. But Barbossa isn't interested in a ransom. He and his crew are cursed to walk the Earth as the living dead until a
blood sacrifice can restore their humanity. And so the mystery of the Black Pearl unfolds.
Pirates of the Caribbean is a competently made adventure that successfully delivers both engaging and entertaining action. Director Gore Verbinski is able to blend humor, amidst most scenes of battles, chases, fights and horrors, that saves the film from being too creepy and dragging. Cinematographer Dariusz Wolski and composer Klaus Badelt are able to capture memorable scenes through dazzling visuals and haunting musical scores. But the greatest achievement of the film would be the unforgettable performance of the actors. Keira Knightley and Orlando Bloom make a cute couple and Geoffrey Rush rules as the bad guy. But above all, the movie belongs to Johnny Depp who steals every scene he's in as Jack Sparrow. Depp's eccentric and amusing performance provides both humor and soul to the entire film.
Amidst the toned down violence in most scenes, the real treasure of the film lies in the
hearts of gold of the main characters. Will Turner and Elizabeth Swann are both willing to sacrifice their lives for the sake of their beloved. Theirs is an epitome
of an undying devotion and unequivocal. Jack Sparrow may not be a good man for he is a pirate, but his character proves that there lies goodness in every man's heart. He
may look dishonest and untrustworthy at first, but looks can be really deceiving as he is able to redeem himself in the end as the real good guy. In a battle of good versus
evil, the good ones will have their struggles and moments of defeat but a real good heart who truly loves will never fail. The good will always triumph against evil for
it's the innate goodness of man and purity of intentions that will give him power over his enemies.
(Date Reviewed: August 29, 2003)
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