Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest
Review by Fritz Esker
Not much to say here, except to call attention to the fact The Matador is coming out on video this Tuesday (the 4th). It's an excellent movie that did not seem to find its audience in the theaters. It deserves to find one on video, even though the TV commercials for it seem to be marketing it as an action film, which it is not. It is a funny, unpredictable character-driven comedy. Check it out.
While it is an improvement over the turgid Superman Returns, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest is another entry confirming that this summer probably won't be as fun as last (Batman Begins, The 40 Year Old Virgin, Murderball, and more). The film has its moments, but it ends up suffering from redundancy and a crushingly overlong running time (150+ minutes).
Will Turner (Orlando Bloom) and Elizabeth Swan (Keira Knightley) find their wedding interrupted when they are arrested and sentenced to death for aiding in the rescue of Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp). However, their sentence can be commuted if they can pry from Jack's possession a compass that will lead to the titular Dead Man's Chest, which holds a treasure that can give its owner power over the seas. Oh, and it's all tied squid/crustacean/man pirate named Davy Jones (Bill Nighy) who wants Captain Jack's soul. Jones is accompanied by his own half man/half seafood army and an underwater beast called the Kraken.
The first Pirates was an entertaining and likeable summer film. It does not enter the Pantheon of great summer films, but it was enjoyable enough. While it was too long for its own good (140 minutes), it was carried for the most part by Depp, an actor who sometimes steps wrong, but can usually be counted on to take risks and make interesting choices in how he approaches his roles. He decided to make Sparrow into a fey Keith Richards impersonator and, amazingly, it worked incredibly well, earning Depp an Academy Award nomination. Depp does fine work here, and there are some funny Captain Jack moments, but it all has a been there/done that feel to it. Part of what made the original film work was the Depp's portrayal seemed fresh and original, something that is lost in the sequel.
As a whole, the film suffers from the same feeling. There are entertaining action scenes, impressive special effects, and some mildly interesting character dynamics going on. But, it does not feel like anything is really being added to the first film. Aside from borrowing from the original, Dead Man's Chest also borrows liberally from Raiders of the Lost Ark, Jaws, and even Star Wars. At times, it even borrows from itself, as the film seems to repeat itself at times (numerous Kraken attacks, 2 action sequences involving characters caught in an out of control spinning wheel/ball). Some of these scenes are diverting and fun, but, at over 21/2 hours, it gets to feel repetitive.
Compared to its current competition for action movie fans (Superman Returns), Dead Man's Chest is a better choice. However, one can only hope that the filmmakers deliver a tighter, more streamlined film for the third and final installment due next summer.