If there’s anything we learned from Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest, it’s that there’s no modern movie franchise as critic-proof as Johnny Depp’s Rated-Arrgh trilogy. (And also, that I need to register the idea for a nautical-themed workout video called Pilates of the Caribbean. Ha!) Anyhow, with that in mind, I set sail through the entertainment sections of America’s newspapers to see if critics are lubbing the third installment, At World’s End, or if they’re ready for the entire series to walk the plank. (EW’s own Owen Gleiberman gives it a C.) And keeping in mind that everyone’s probably gonna go see this flick no matter what, I decided to extract the most positive sentiment expressed by every critic — no matter how negative his or her review ultimately swayed.
Moira Macdonald, Seattle Times: "The attention to detail is impressive… and the special effects top-notch."
Michael Sragow, Baltimore Sun: "There are four or five authentic laughs in the whole 170-minute extravaganza."
Claudia Puig, USA Today: "Visually, the film has some noteworthy moments. The production design is eye-catching, particularly in the opening scenes set in Singapore. The ‘fish people’ aboard Davy Jones’ ship remain captivating with their hammerhead shark heads and barnacled visages."
Bill Muller, Arizona Republic: "It would be remiss not to mention the great costumes and production design of At World’s End. The movie is always fun to look at, and even after three, the filmmakers manage to capture the feel of the Disneyland ride."
Jim Slotek, Edmonton Sun: "Startling ‘moments’ are still a Pirates trademark and a saving grace…."
Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle: " The competition is enormous, but with Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End, a case could be made for Piratesas the worst film series since Thomas Edison got the wacky idea thatpictures could move." (Hey, at least the dood is effusive!)
Christopher Lloyd, Indianapolis Star:"Curiously, [Keith] Richards plays it straight, without his trademarkslurry, wobbly mannerisms that Depp based his character on. It’s likehiring Pee-wee Herman and he goes all King Lear on you."
Lou Lumenick, New York Post:"It’s not a total shipwreck, but abandon hope all ye seeking acoherent, much less satisfying, narrative. Expect instead a reported$300 million worth of eye candy, delivered with enormous technicalskill…. There were scattered amusing moments that I enjoyed, and the overall film was watchable in a soulless, corporate kind of way."
Rob Salem, Toronto Star: "It’s not all bad."
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This movie was utter shite.
One thing thing I can say about the Pirates sequels: they may be overstuffed and confusing but at least they strive to be more than just slapped-together rehashes, like Shrek 3 . Everyone involved seems to be legitimately trying to progress the original Pirates story and push the limits of special effects to new highs.
Every criticism I have seen has been a C/C- rating. Of course I will still go see it, and wonder if critics should just stop reviewing the movies you know are going to rake it in; because no one cares what the rating is.
I really didn’t like Dead Man’s Chest, and it sounds like At World’s End is more of the same, “only with more explosions and stuff! and FOUR pirate captains!” Dead Man’s Chest was too scattered and the fun of the first film was nowhere to be found. I was very disappointed, and I doubt I’ll waste my money at the theatre for this one. Two tickets and concessions can easily run $35-40, and I’d rather pay $3.99 on DVD and save the moviegoing experience for a movie that’s worth it.
I did not like the first two very much, but this was by far the best of the three, i really liked it
Say what you will, but I’ll take the Pirates movies over roughly 3/4 of the junk that is made today. Sure they are escapist fare, but dang are they pretty. Mix in the humor, the top-notch CGI (which makes Spiderman’s effects look downright silly), the great performances of the often badly written material, amazing swashbuckling choreography, and the best motion picture soundtrack since the Indiana Jones films and you’ve got 1 of the 2 truly classic series of the past 20 years. Other than Lord of the Rings, I can think of no other series that generations of fans will love. Spiderman, like the Batman and Superman movies before it, will start to show its age (re-watch the 1st one and you can make the argument that it is already). These films, like Star Wars, Indiana Jones, and Lord of the Rings, are truly timeless, despite their many flaws. In fact, it tends to be the flaws that endear all of the aforementioned films to their fans–just think of the awful acting in the 1st Star Wars
The movie was out and out AMAZING! Funny, tense, clever, action packed and so satifying. I will be seeing it about four MORE times this weekend.
I just don’t understand the allure of Pirates anymore. Everytime I see a trailer for this, I say “Oh look, more water and ship effects and the octopus is back. neat.” I hardly think you can call it topnotch CGI for something that has been done time and time again. And also to nightcrawler*sigh*666, I say yes critics do matter to some of us. In this case, they reaffirmed what I already thought (the movie is overlong and confusing) but if they all would have loved the film then it would have changed my opinion and I would at least give it a chance. Even after Pirates 2, during which I fell asleep for 1 hour, woke up and nothing had changed. AAA the Krakken! AAA the Krakken again! Positively dreadful.
This one was better than the Dead Man’s Chest but it still can’t compare to the original. I wish they would have realized that sometimes less is more. There was way too much going on in this one compared to the first. It wasn’t confusing, it was just overboard. And I have yet to feel any chemistry between Will and Elizabeth. Honestly, who wears the pants in that relationship?
this movie is nothing more than what it is purported to be– a movie.I don’t understand all the hype about it.As far as I am concerned the first was just ok, yhe second downright boring and At Worlds End a disaster
this movie is nothing more than what it is purported to be– a movie.I don’t understand all the hype about it.As far as I am concerned the first was just ok, yhe second downright boring and At Worlds End a disaster
Wow…i can’t believe a poster below me actually compared this series to Star Wars and Lord of the Rings. That has got to be some kind of crime…doesn’t it?!?!?!?
I just saw it and I loved it. Not a huge number of laugh out loud moments but it’s mainly an adventure flick, not a comedy, so so what? And what is with everyone complaining that the plot is hard to follow? I had no problem whatsoever following the story as it zipped along (and I do mean zipped–never have over 2 and a half hours moved so quickly).
I just saw it and I loved it. Not a huge number of laugh out loud moments but it’s mainly an adventure flick, not a comedy, so so what? And what is with everyone complaining that the plot is hard to follow? I had no problem whatsoever following the story as it zipped along (and I do mean zipped–never have over 2 and a half hours moved so quickly).
That post isn’t fair! The New York Times, Chicago Tribune, Variety, Los Angeles Times, Washington Post, Houston Chronicle, among many others, had an abundance of fantastic things to say about the movie. You’re not allowed to review American Idol with great enthusiasm, and then pick apart Pirates of the Caribbean with a one-sided and mean bias.
Just saw it and it was wonderful! Little much for my 9 year old son, due to length but even he ejoyed it. The ending is a surprise and girls will shed a tear. Will see it again but without the kids. The special effects are astounding. If your a true pirate fan this WILL NOT disappoint! YO HO, YO HO, YO HO A PIRATES LIFE FOR ME!
I saw this movie last night and I feel nothing. I didn’t leave the theater in awe like after I The Departed, unable to speak because I was unable to process the pure AWESOMENESS that was that movie. On the other hand, I didn’t walk out in blinding rage over the loss of two perfectly good hours and $10 bucks (I’m talking to you The Village… seriously I didn’t go to the movies for like three years after that) But last night I sat in that theater with some friends for 3 hours, and when the movie was over, we gathered outside the theater and realized we had absolutely nothing to say. We didn’t rave about what a good time it was, but we didn’t rant about what a colossal waste of time it was either. I guess that kind of says it all.
I think critics are being totally unfair to these films. I mean, “worst film series of all time”?! Are you kidding me? That guy just said that so he’d get quoted. I think that these films are a lot of fun, and I don’t see what’s wrong with a movie being simply that. It’s fun to see award winning actors putting their all into an over-the-top adventure film. And I do have to give kudos to the CGI, even though that typically isn’t any sort of a draw for me in films. The simulated human body movement in some of the more complex action sequences is far and away the best I’ve seen. I couldn’t even tell that it was CGI, even though I knew it had to be. Let’s give credit where credit is due: these guys are making leaps and bounds in that field for sure. And, lastly, a poster below me compared this to seeing the Departed? Seriously? Do you have no consideration for difference in genre and intent? Come on.
I’ve read a lot of articles lately about how many people actually pay attention to what the critics think of a movie. To me, I enjoy reading critics reviews but in no way does that affect whether I will see a movie or not. Everyone has a different opinion of a movie so I think it’s pretty silly to not see a movie because a lot of critics didn’t like it.
Just my opinion though. By the way, I loved At World’s End for what it is supposed to be- a fun summer popcorn movie. It’s not meant to be an award winning film so it shouldn’t be treated like one.
My 3 oldest have seen it and they all liked it. Two complained it was too long, the other quipped that ‘long is good’, he got his moneys worth.
Personally, I’ll wait for the video.
After the crapfest that was Spider-man 3 (those who say “it wasn’t so bad” are just in denial), I’m very, very wary of any other threequel out this yr. I’m even suspect of my beloved Shrek and Capt. Jack Sparrow I love the 1st PotC movie and I’ve seen it many, many times, but I don’t even own the 2nd one on DVD. It was horrid. There never should have been a 2 and 3. I’ll probably end up seeing PotC 3 on DVD and then just pretending the 2nd and 3rd don’t exist for the rest of my life.
I’m just so jaded and bitter now. They all just want to seel toys and give you eye candy instead of an actual story w/a decent movie!
I’m glad that my seeing the first Pirates movie 5 times helped bring about the sequels, neither of which was disappointing in any way. I hope they make three MORE Pirates movies. This is by far the best film franchise since Lord of the Rings, bar none.
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