Pirates of the Caribbean Curse of the Black Pearl (Blu-ray) (2003)

"...moves easily from sunny 18th-century seafaring adventure to creepy zombie flick and back again.  Ann Hornaday, Washington Post
"A first-rate sail into Adventureland.  Chris Kaltenbach, Baltimore Sun
"...delivers what moviegoers hunger for: humor, action, thrills and charismatic characters.  Claudia Puig, USA Today
"A film that dares to be smart, reasonably complicated and scary while swashing its buckles.  Lawrence Toppman, Charlotte Observer
"...one of the most entertaining swashbucklers to hit the big screen.  Mark Sells, Film Threat

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.

	Geoffrey Rush
	Jack Davenport
	Johnny Depp
	Jonathan Pryce
	Keira Knightley
	Lee Arenberg
	Orlando Bloom
	Zoe Saldana
	Craig Eastman - Original Music By
	Dariusz Wolski - Cinematographer
	Derek R. Hill, et. al. - Art Director
	Gore Verbinski - Director
	Jerry Bruckheimer - Producer
	Klaus Badelt - Original Music By
	Paul Deason - Executive Producer
	Stephen E. Rivkin, et. al. - Editor
	Ted Elliott - Screenplay
	Ted Elliott, et. al. - Story By
	Terry Rossio - Screenplay

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

ReelViews 8 of 10
For those taking a global view of Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, it's very easy to be cynical. This is, after all, cross-promotion at its most blatant. What could be more marketable that one of Disney's most popular theme park attractions? The name recognition is already in place - all that's necessary to complete the puzzle is a story that will fit the ride. But there are two reasons why jaded ranting isn't the best way to proceed with this review. In the first place, no one really cares. And, more importantly, this is actually an entertaining experience...Pirates of the Caribbean is wall-to-wall battles, chases, and fights. The only pauses are those necessitated by the need to advance the plot through exposition. There's lots of swordplay, including a lengthy and memorable struggle between Sparrow and Will. It's probably the best example of cinematic swordfighting since The Mask of Zorro. - James Berardinelli

Chicago Sun-Times 8 of 10
There's a nice little 90-minute B movie trapped inside the 143 minutes of "Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl," a movie that charms the audience and then outstays its welcome. Although the ending leaves open the possibility of a sequel, the movie feels like it already includes the sequel; maybe that explains the double-barreled title. It's a good thing that Geoffrey Rush and Johnny Depp are on hand to jack up the acting department. Their characters, two world-class goofballs, keep us interested even during entirely pointless swordfights...Capt. Sparrow's behavior is so rococo that other members of the cast actually comment on it. And yet because it is consistent and because you can never catch Depp making fun of the character, it rises to a kind of cockamamie sincerity. - Roger Ebert