Define a perfect summer movie: a film released between the brackets of July and August with plentiful of fun, some gripping seat-back adventure, wow-worthy effects and ultra-expensive blockbuster ride. My definition of a perfect summer movie: ladies and gents, Pirates of the Carribean: Dead Man's Chest. The former definition was even an understatement. Pirates 2 is so far the best action-adventure film ever released this year! And to boot, it's way, way much better than its predecessor. Honestly, the first Pirates film was OK for me and deserved a grade of B+, but this one - hell, throw some bucks into this much 'cuz you'll enjoy the rollercoaster popcorn-fun helluva ride. I have so much to say in this film and I'm just so confused where to start first. But more importantly, who cares about Oscar season when there's still the summer blockbuster hotness scuttling around? It's a kind of film where you would surely enjoy with your friends, buy some nachos and some sodas and then be thrilled by the very Jerry-Bruckheimer definition of the summer movie of the year. It's fun, fun and more fun!
And speaking of summer, of course it's never the summer "hotness" in the Philppines, but in Western countries like UK and US in that case enjoys summer fun between July and August. This is where studios set out for a big bang to attract more audiences in any other time of the year, except Oscar season, that is. So many films had started to spring out in cinemas like mad these days, one of the best was Superman Returns, but after watching Pirates 2, bloody murder-me hell, I'd say this beats the Man of Steel in every other way possible. If I graded Superman Returns with an A-, I think if it would be placed beside this film, Superman would surely fall flat downwards into the B+ category to make this Pirates flick rise from its depths, way above others. Gore Verbinski, the director, might have been smirking at Bryan Singer right now for conquering the blockbuster arena. And right well said, Disney hit the right jackpot. This film, as far as I could remember, is the best Pirates flick ever. It's fun-filled of humor, thrown with over-the-top swashbuckling adventures, oodles of fun, romance, drama, some soap opera elements, MEGA-COOL effects, nail-gripping, laugh-out-loud sequences, creepy but impressive underwater creatures, and boasting three outstanding actors in its plank. This two-and-a-half hour movie is indeed far better than the first one, and far better than anything else released this summer. You could really see and observe the investments of Mickey Mouse's house and Jerry Bruckheimer in this film, putting all the dimes into every single detail.
So, OK - let me start here first after letting me babble a lot of introductory words (haha!). The first scene of the film did not start with a bang as what I've expected but rather touched on a more dramatic kind of cinematography. From the appearance of the title alone, I'd say I was impressed, and to the rain sequence with the bride waiting in vain, soaking wet. This is the way Gore Verbinski tells us that the new Pirates film is a far better film because it touches now on human counterparts of the characters, which felt all too iconic in the first one. The cinematography really blows like wham! It felt a bit Tim-Burtonesque, with a bit of Alfonso-Cuaron-ish, which I really appreciate since I'm a big fan of dark, gothic films. The film sets, moods and production design is superb, very rich in detail. Just look out for the backgrounds, you'll see so many stuffs lying around. Astounding production design indeed, not to mention, gazillion of dollars being hurled into this one. Oscars should really take its production design more seriously now. Also, Hanz Zimmer's musical score majestically company the film's hit-by-hit sequences, and sometimes the music is funny too. Watch out for the classical music being played when Will Turner's company were trying to sway their selves inside a large cage made of bones between two cliffs. But of course, with the director, who could say this was possible? Gore Verbinski gives a solid directing chop and he really knew the material very well, as if he was a pirate himself.
Now, the story. Some children might find it a bit difficult to follow, and some no-brainer adults too, but I daresay, it's a forget-about-reality-and-enjoy-the-thrill tale. Based on many sea myths, like the Flying Dutchman, underwater creatures, cursed pirates, a chest with a heart (and I mean, throbbing heart) and Davey Jones, Pirates incorporated one kind of plot that would interest fantasy diggers and lovers. They put on a rather ridiculous plot but still enjoyable.
Kudos to Disney for helming this. Kudos to Verbinski for directing. But more kudos to this one man who made every possible scene worth putting your attention to. The man by the name of Johnny Depp. He's outrageous! He played Captain Jack Sparrow even more comfortable the second time around, and he played it with more fun, more humor, wit and nonsense immorality. He's really brilliant, and he's one of my all-time favorite actors. Boy, he never disappoints with this one and Depp shines. It's just so funny that his character struggles a lot between being a wisecrack pirate and a despicable hero. Watch out when he comes back aboard the Black Pearl saving Elizabeth with all his shining glory. Everytime when he's not around, all seemed to be incomplete. Most of the scenes here are really unforgettable, with fantastic swordfights over the rolling mill, and Sparrow escaping from a great bunch King-Kong-sidekick-looking cannibals. Orlando Bloom also did fairly well as Will Turner, and his background story worked in the film, adding up more color to the movie. His action scenes with Depp is funnier with his own scenes alone. Keira Knightley as Elizabeth Swann was splendid too. I just like the way her character developed, from an estranged soon-to-be-wife to a pirate-wannabe and to a guilty friend at the end who sacrificed someone near to her. Aside from Depp's breathtaking performance, it's Bill Nighy that rocked equally. Stepping into the boots of the Captain of the Flying Dutchman, Davey Jones, he superbly becomes a classic movie bad guy. Anyone who remembers that old guy rockin' your Christmas in Love, Actually? His look here is utterly stunning, with tentacles across his face, but although he was fairly covered with CGI effects, he still knows how to bring an inspired performance outwardly. Say, who had not enjoyed also the Flying Dutchman's crew. Everyone of them were awesome! All of them looked really real, and none of them seemed to have been wearing costumes of some sort. Also, Naoime Harris as the witch Dalma was terrific! She played the part deliciously with accent so difficult to imitate. So fun, indeed.
On final note, everything worked in here. I oh-so-love this film, and for me, it totally rocked! It all contained the elements of a pure, exciting summer film. I love the humor, the adventures and the performances. Pirates 2 is a great experience, a kind of film that would make the whole theater burst with laughter and thrill. The only thing disappointing is the ending, of course, we all know that there's the last part of the trilogy, Pirates of the Carribean: At World's End. Pirates 2, meanwhile, does not define a perfect movie, but it's a great paragon of the ultimate rollicking summer adventure flick! Bill Nighy rocks! Johnny Depp kicks ass!
I just can't wait for the next sequel to be released. Mark that date.
Rating: A
