Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End (Two-Disc Limited Edition)
by Gore Verbinski
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DVD Cover Information
Actor: Geoffrey Rush, Johnny Depp, Jonathan Pryce, Keira Knightley, Orlando BloomDirector: Gore Verbinski
Brand: Buena Vista Home Video
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown), Dolby Digital 5.1; English (Subtitled); Spanish (Subtitled); English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 5.1; Spanish (Original Language), Dolby Digital 5.1
Format: Color, NTSC, Special Edition, Subtitled, Widescreen
Picture Format: 2.35:1
Running Time: 165 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2007-12-04
Audience Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Model: 04099100
Studio: Walt Disney Pictures
Product features:
- Condition: New
- Format: DVD
- Subtitled; Color; Special Edition; Widescreen; NTSC
Movie Reviews of Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End (Two-Disc Limited Edition)
Movie Review: At the film's end, it's all in the swagger
Summary: 5 Stars
It is a commonly-accepted fact that the third film in most cinematic series is weaker than its predecessors, usually greatly so. Take for example "Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome," the third film in George Miller's post-apocalyptic sci-fi series, or the two most famous examples: "Return of the Jedi," the sixth "Star Wars" film chronologically but the third released, and Francis Ford Coppola's highly-controversial "The Godfather: Part III." However, there have been notable exceptions to the rule, such as "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade," or Peter Jackson's "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King." Despite a rather bloated second installment, it's a pleasant surprise that "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End" is one such exception, an epic, action-packed finish to what began as an adaptation of a Disney theme park attraction.
At one point in the film, Johnny Depp's Captain Jack Sparrow, the glue that inexplicably holds this series together, is accused of being mad just as he's about to make a daring escape. "Well thank God for that," he says, fighting to keep his balance, "because if I wasn't, this probably would never have worked." That nonsensical statement fits the film well. The second film's script was too restrained and its plot was too gargantuan to fit in one series, let alone one film. The script, once again penned by guaranteed hitmaking duo Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio, is lively, action-packed, and intense, fixing all the problems of the previous film. But despite those high-points, "At World's End" develops a new problem: it's confusing. Very confusing. In fact, days after watching the movie, in a few circumstances it's still not clear what happened, and in a few other circumstances, why it happened.
A delightful example of this is a series of surreal sequences involving Depp's character. Captain Sparrow is waltzing about on his ship, which is marooned at the end of the world. The end of the world is endless whiteness, and apparently this whiteness has caused Sparrow to envision a crew made up of numerous Jack Sparrows. It's never really explained why Jack is hallucinating, though it may be safe to assume it's due to withdrawal from his beloved rum. But then why does he continue hallucinating through the film? It's amusing, to be sure, and adds a quirky surreality to the movie, but why it's happening isn't made clear. Similarly, it's never explained just what happened to Captain Jack after he was consumed by the Kraken at the end of "Dead Man's Chest."
That's okay, though, because there's enough action and adventure to keep anyone entertained, even for the film's roughly 170-minute runtime. There a few points where the movie drags, but for the most part it keeps a consistent pace, powered by the resurrection of the peerless Geoffrey Rush's Captain Barbossa and, of course, everyone's favorite swaggering pirate drunkard, Mr. Depp. The movie makes an admirable attempt at focusing on the tumultuous romance between Will Turner (Orlando Bloom) and Elizabeth Swann (Keira Knightley), truthfully the series' main characters, but the majority of their scenes are dull and drab when compared to those featuring Depp's foolish, suicidal pirate. What is it that moviegoers find so alluring about so filthy and ridiculous a character?
The truth of the matter is that it's not the character at all: it's Johnny Depp. From his thick accent, spewing from beneath his straggly facial hair, to his free-flying, absurd manner and his ridiculously amusing "run," which is in fact more of a prance, Depp is a riot. How ironic that an actor so talented as Mr. Depp, whom the late Marlon Brando once called the "greatest young actor alive," has found his signature role in the part of a sleazy, drunk pirate.
Depp isn't the only star in these movies, though. Bloom is confoundingly stale, especially when compared to his charming performance as Legolas from the "Lord of the Rings" movies, and Knightley has lost much of the spark she had in the last film. But despite smaller roles, Stellan Skaarsgard and Naomie Harris deliver interesting and illuminating performances, as does the inimitable Bill Nighy, despite spending most of his screentime as a CGI monstrosity. The non-Depp shining star of "At World's End" is most certainly Chow Yun Fat, who long ago proved himself to be the greatest Asian actor since Toshiro Mifune, if not ever. He deserves more screentime than he gets.
Of course, the most publicized aspect of the film is Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards' cameo as Jack Sparrow's father. Depp famously based his performance on Richards, so one would expect Richards' cameo to be a blast. Instead, his one minute on-screen results in one of the film's most confusing and useless scenes. But his appearance is almost made worthwhile by the faux youth given to him by some supremely gifted makeup artists.
On a musical note, Hans Zimmer expands his highly memorable theme to create the first standout score of the series, a fittingly mysterious and adventurous soundtrack with some moments of true beauty. Zimmer's score falters only once, when he pays a painfully obvious omage to Ennio Morricone's classic theme to "Once Upon a Time in the West" during a tense meeting between the pirates and the British navy.
But for all its flaws, "At World's End" is an excellent adventure movie with a wonderfully surreal edge. Of all the "Pirates of the Caribbean" films, this one is the one most suitably described as a "steampunk," a film which meshes Victorian-era historical fiction with over-the-top sci-fi or fantasy, and director Gore Verbinski knows how to craft a gritty, exciting steampunk. It's not quite the masterpiece that was "The Curse of the Black Pearl," but it's very near it, and rumors of a fourth film have already begun circulating (which the movie's open-ended finish makes quite possible). Let's just hope that movie bosses draw the line before this superb adventure series finds itself lost at sea.
Summary of Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End (Two-Disc Limited Edition)
Just when he s needed most Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) that witty and wily charmer of a pirate is trapped on a sea of sand in Davy Jones Locker. In an increasingly shaky alliance Will Turner (Orlando Bloom) Elizabeth Swann (Keira Knightley) and Captain Barbossa (Geoffrey Rush) begin a desperate quest to find and rescue him. Captain Jack s the last of the nine Pirate Lords of the Brethren Court who must come together united in one last stand to preserve the freedom-loving pirates way of life. From exotic Singapore to World s End and beyond from Shipwreck Island to a titanic battle this adventure s filled with over-the-edge action irreverent humor and seafaring myth and magic. Everything has led to this twisting turning wild swashbuckling ride in this final chapter of the Pirates Of The Caribbean trilogySystem Requirements:Run Time: 165 minutesFormat: DVD MOVIE Genre: ACTION/ADVENTURE Rating: PG-13 UPC: 786936293012 Manufacturer No: 04099100Similar DVD Movies
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