I apologise, we feel bad, but there's no trailer available. ~Ed.
I have to admit that this was my first full-blown brush with Pirate Mania. I had a crack at watching the first one, and we didn’t mesh well. I stuck around long enough to pick up the basics- Elizabeth’s tough, Will’s dashing and Jack Sparrow is Keith Richards. Oh, and the whole thing requires a certain suspension of disbelief.
So I felt equipped enough to handle the third installment. Plus I had a clued- up companion, and had an excessively large cinema full of very excited people to share the experience with. And I’ve been on the ride- these films make much more sense if you remember that they spring from an amusement park.
This is one of those franchises that attract lynch mobs of fans, so no spoilers here. At the close of the second film, Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) was in Han Solo-style trouble, languishing in a particular brand of hell known as Davy Jones Locker. And his motley band of pirates wanted him back- all for their own devious ends- which is where we find them. Except that the evil British East India Trading Company has declared a state of emergency making piracy punishable by death. And then it’s on!
However, there is always a limit as to how much disbelief you want to suspend, making this storyline patchy at best. The action is often allowed to completely overwhelm the story. In fact, the action is often used to mask the gaping holes in the tale. It’s a bad move, it patronizes the audience. It’s the cinematic equivalent of entreating someone to look the wrong way while you steal their fries.
On the plus side, the pace of the film is absolutely cracking. The crew must get a boat and head to Davy Jones Locker, and they do! Jack Sparrow needs rescuing, and it happens! It’s incredibly well punctuated. This is a relief, because at close to three hours the length is intimidating.
And the cast! Wow. It’s been a real star maker. They’ve really created a family film here- there’s someone for everyone to enjoy. And yes, Keira Knightly is very good, and it’s nice to have a tough female lead. Orlando Bloom by comparison, still looks elfin, and earnest and not particularly appealing. Which is good, because he has to yield to Johnny. And he’s not particularly flamboyant this time around, probably because he appears to be insane. And he’s accompanied by none other than Keith Richards, in what must be the most touted cameo EVER. Shame it’s only two minutes long.
Despite the holes, this is a rollicking good time. There’s action, drama, mystery and love. But sadly, they couldn’t resist leaving the way open for a fourth installment. Dead men may tell no tales, but dead horses aren’t as forgiving.
[Reviewed by Beatrix Coles]
Definitely for the kids wanting another adventure from Jack Sparrow, but my personal and more critical view is that this is another hyped sequel that fails to deliver.
Such a good movie full of memorable characters. Barbossa is my favourite.
I struggle to understand the appeal of PoC3... I can see the joy in Pirates 1. Pirates 3 are muddled, ridiculous messes of films - they make little sense, or at least don't manage to interest the viewer enough to take notice of the plot. This is ultimately dull, boring eye candy. Johnny Depp, I say, is on the decline.
The end titles were great! It just took too long to get to them - too many special effects - too little story - too many charactors - too little plot but what the hell the end titles were worth waiting for, totally soporific!
Once again director Gore Verbinski has overburdened proceedings with too many plotlines (15, including Barbossa's return from the dead), too many baddies and just too much action. With so many special effects they start to lose the wow factor as the movie goes on. And, believe me, this is a film that goes on, clocking in at no less than 168 minutes. Pirates may make your jaw thud to the ground, but it'll also make your bum go blue...
Better than part two and occasionally rising to the spirit of the original, it’s an entertaining spectacle that brings the story to satisfying conclusion – but it’s still too long and overloaded, at the expense of the comedy...
Abandon all hope of a good time...
1/2 The good news first: Keith Richards totally rocks it playing pirate daddy to Johnny Depp's Capt. Jack Sparrow. The deep rumble of his voice and those hooded eyes that narrowly open like the creaky gates of hell make him what the rest of this three-peat is not: authentically scary...So what's the bad news? Richards is onscreen for barely two minutes...
This film is far less slapstick than its predecessors, fewer laughs making way for a more grand and epic feel... But clocking in just shy of three hours, once again audience goodwill is squandered by an over-indulgent final battle scene.
We've been told the NZ release date for this flick is Thursday, 24th May 2007.
Release date: May 24th 2007.
We haven't received times for this movie in this location yet. However these are updated as cinemas announce them, so check back soon. Hopefully the lovely cinemas in your location will choose to play it shortly. ~Ed.
