Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest
By Jane Louise BoursawAverage User Rating:
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for intense sequences of adventure violence, including frightening images.
"You have a debt to pay," says an ominous voice. "You owe Davy Jones your soul. That was the agreement. Time's up!" And so begins the second installment of the franchise that's turning pirates into rock stars of the new millennium.
Yes, the loopy Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) is back, caught in yet another tangled web of ghostly creatures lurking deep in the ocean. Before he’s able to get any real pleasure from his ship, the Black Pearl, Jack discovers he owes a blood debt to the legendary Davy Jones (Bill Nighy), ruler of the ocean and captain of the Flying Dutchman.
Legend has it that Jones's still-beating broken heart is locked away in a chest, and there's a terrible sea beast at his command. Unfortunately for Jack, this particular legend is real. Years ago, he made a deal with Jones, who's now expecting him to make good on his promise by handing himself over to Jones's servitude forever. To find the chest, "you must sail to da ends of da earth and beyond," proclaims Tia Dalma, (Naomie Harris), a mysterious voodoo priestess.
In short, unless Jack can figure a way out of this predicament, he’ll be doomed to an afterlife of eternal damnation and slavery (not to mention the end of this franchise, which we know isn't happening because "Pirates 3" is due out in 2007). Being a pirate and an opportunist, Jack doesn’t shy away from enlisting the help of his old friends, Will Turner (Orlando Bloom) and Elizabeth Swan (Keira Knightly), interrupting the happy couple’s wedding plans in the process.
Given that the first movie, Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl, has grossed more than $650 million worldwide and is one of the best-selling DVDs of all time, this movie already has legions of fans impatient for its release. It's also a good sign that the crew of the first movie, including director Gore Verbinski and producer Jerry Bruckheimer, are returning for this one. So there isn't any switching of directors and changing the direction, a la X-Men: The Last Stand.
Note: Keith Richards was set to make a cameo appearance as Jack's father, but had to back out of the project due to his commitment with the Rolling Stones world tour. Depp has previously said that his performance was based on Richards. Hmmm…maybe we'll see Keith in "Pirates 3"…? If he can stay out of palm trees 'til then, that is.
PRESCHOOLERS (ages 2-5): This movie is much too intense for preschoolers. For some alternative high-sea adventures, check out: Dora the Explorer – Pirate Adventure (DVD, 2003). Sing along with Dora, Diego, Boots, and Baby Jaguar as they stage a musical pirate play and travel to Treasure Island to retrieve a missing chest of costumes; Muppet Treasure Island (DVD, 1996), a fun version of Robert Louis Stevenson's classic pirate tale, starring Kermit, Miss Piggy, Gonzo and others; Popeye 75th Anniversary Collector's Edition (DVD, 2004). This 3-disc series includes 86 episodes of short films featuring the spinach-swilling sailor man, most from the 1960-1961 television season. For even more vintage Popeye, go all the way back to the 1936 edition, now available on DVD. The quality is poor, but it's the real deal and everyone should see these at least once.
GRADE-SCHOOLERS (ages 6 - 10): Your grade-schoolers will be clamoring to see this movie, but it's pretty scary for kids younger than 12. Scenes include hungry cannibals, people in peril (Jack nearly gets char-broiled over an open flame), and creepy characters who look like they're straight out of the bar scene in Star Wars. There's a ton of fire-power, including guns and cannons, and mild romantic scenes between Will and Elizabeth, as well as Elizabeth and…another person whom I won't reveal!
TWEEN/TEEN (ages 11+): Hunky heartthrobs? Check. Action-packed thrills? Check. Fun romance? Check. Fab special effects? Check. This is a big, fun, popcorn-fest of a movie and a good escape from all the turmoil in the world. And for teen girls, it's great to see Keira Knightly kick some butt in this movie, just like she did in the first one. You, go, girl!
Jane Louise Boursaw is a freelance journalist specializing in the movie and television industries.
