Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End
Movie Review
"Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End"
Review by Eric D. Snider
Grade: B
Rating: PG-13
Released: Friday, May 25, 2007
Directed by:
Cast:
Against all odds, and despite being the longest film in the series, "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End" is probably also the best. It's less chaotic and exhausting than "Dead Man's Chest," more emotionally engaging than "Curse of the Black Pearl." For the first time, I can see why many people LOVE this series. If only the first two films had actually been as good as their box office haul suggested they were!
"At World's End" begins with things looking grim for nearly everyone. Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) has been sent off to Davy Jones' locker, which turns out to be not just a metaphor for "death," but an actual location, albeit on a different spiritual plane and apparently rather difficult to return from. England's Lord Beckett (Tom Hollander) is cracking down big-time on piracy, with mass public hangings scheduled daily. Young lovers Elizabeth Swann (Keira Knightley) and Will Turner (Orlando Bloom) have parted company for reasons that were probably explained in the last film (well, as much as anything can be said to have been "explained" in the last film) but that I do not recall.
Now Elizabeth and the resurrected Captain Barbossa (Geoffrey Rush) have traveled to Singapore to get a map to Davy Jones' locker from Sao Feng (Chow Yun-Fat), the chief pirate captain of the Orient. Later, Elizabeth somehow winds up in Sao Feng's possession due to the latter's mistaken belief that she is the sea goddess Calypso in human form.
OK, I said this film is less chaotic than the last one, not that it lacks chaos altogether. The story is still jam-packed with double-crosses, betrayals, and secret negotiations, but it's a much more linear, straightforward story than before. Only occasionally must one pause and say, "Wait, what?" Mostly you can just smile blithely and enjoy it.
This is especially surprising given how much there is going on. The central plot has the world's pirate lords assembling to discuss how to repel the British crackdown, but that barely scratches the surface. We learn more about the mortal life of the now-cursed Davy Jones (Bill Nighy), as well as the backstory on the mystical voodoo priestess Tia Dalma (Naomie Harris). There are issues of pirate politics to deal with, and it's nice to see that, unlike the United Nations, pirate summit meetings often end in fisticuffs and stabbings. Other subplots involve the rules surrounding the Flying Dutchman and how one becomes its captain, and why a person might want that.
Regular "Pirates" writers Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio were obviously paying attention on the day of screenwriting class that talked about character objectives. Every person in "At World's End" has a very specific thing that he or she wants. Elizabeth and Barbossa want to retrieve Jack from Davy Jones' locker; Will wants to free his father from servitude on Jones' ship; Beckett wants to learn where the pirate council is being held; Davy Jones wants to restore his mortality; Jack wants to drink rum and sail the world. The film even has a prop to simplify this concept: a magic compass that always points toward the thing you want the most.
What isn't always covered is why people want the things they want. The overall objectives I've just named are self-explanatory, but some of the smaller steps they take toward accomplishing those goals aren't clear. For example, one character is put to death and I literally have no idea why. The person responsible for it obviously felt it would help him achieve his own goals, though, so more power to him, I guess.
But despite being plot-heavy like its predecessors, "At World's End" is mostly coherent and fluid, and it manages to make us care about some of the characters on an emotional level, too. Director Gore Verbinski has always shown a keen eye for visual details and spectacular set pieces; here he combines it with some genuine heart and humanity. I've always liked Jack Sparrow as a character, but this is the first time I've liked him as a person, too.
It all leads to a rousing, vertiginous climax set aboard two ships in the midst of a maelstrom. Sure, the film goes on for another 30 minutes after that "finale" (the "Return of the King" syndrome), but restraint has never been a hallmark of this franchise. The jolly performances, the lavish production design, the peculiar details and whimsical asides -- it all adds up to an enjoyable and cohesive swashbuckling adventure. It's about time.
Grade: B
Rated PG-13, a lot of shooting and sword-fighting deaths -- nothing too graphic, but there is an awful lot of it
2 hrs., 48 min.
Copyright © Eric D. Snider.
This work may not be transmitted via the Internet, nor reproduced in any other way, without written consent from Eric D. Snider.
This item has 49 comments
May 24, 2007 at 7:58 pm
Glad to read this, my wife and I loved the first movie, hated the second one. Makes me want to go see it!
May 24, 2007 at 8:07 pm
I was wary too, after enjoying the first and hating the second. Hopefully we won't fall asleep through this one like we did the last time.
May 24, 2007 at 8:58 pm
'm looking forward to watching the movie regardless of this or other less flattering reviews. The PotC movies are action/comedies, not Hamlet!
Also, what's the deal with people moaning about film length these days? Have they got something else to do? If so, go see a movie when you haven't.
May 25, 2007 at 2:03 am
If a movie has a long story to tell, then it can be as long as it needs to be.
But I've developed a strong aversion to long 'popcorn' movies -- with running times pumped up mainly by long, special-effect-laden action sequences. When a sequence isn't driving the story forward, for me the movie stops dead, and simply put, I get bored.
Just my opinion, of course. Hope it didn't sound like moaning. ;-)
May 25, 2007 at 3:21 am
Personally, I thought this was the most awful movie I've seen in a while. The first hour is a testament to the editors being stoned - it's all over the place with no cohesion whatsoever. Add a little Johhny Depp acid trip (probably the only part I enjoyed, well shot and directed) and then another two hours of absurdity and pointless chaos, and you have a recipe for refunded money. I wish they ended with the first one.
May 25, 2007 at 5:04 am
I think Eric is being a bit generous with this movie, at least by calling it the best of the series. In any case, don't forget to stay to the end of the credits, as there is more movie to be had (The last two had a monkey and a parrot short at the end). So, between the previews, the movie, and the credits, expect to be at the theater half the night.
May 25, 2007 at 6:57 am
Here in Swissland, we get an intermission too. Yay?
May 25, 2007 at 10:51 am
I agree with the previous comments. Eric was WAY too generous here. The first hour or so is very bloated and I felt the ending was unsatisfying emotionally and logically. Still, I doubt the most negative review in the world would stop anyone from seeing this film.
May 25, 2007 at 11:13 am
This was the most chaotic of the series. There were a lot of moments where I went "wait, what?" This is one of the few times that I wish that there had been more exposition in a film. The directors were more worried about the visual effects than the story and just seemed to throw in a plot twist here and there. And then back to the sword fighting.
May 25, 2007 at 5:11 pm
I agree. While I wouldn't say this was the best of the trilogy (nothing holds a candle to the magic of first meeting Captain Jack Sparrow), it was definitely a lot of fun to watch. People are too critical about movies like this...it was fun. it was full of plot, and it was about pirates (being backstabbers and not knowing who the good guys were and who were the bad). I'm a fan.
May 25, 2007 at 10:47 pm
I absolutely loved the first and second and I just saw the third and put it like this i'm seeing the third tomorrow too! all 3 are the best and I don't care what critics say about the movie (the ones that are being mean to the movies the nice ones are 10000000000000% right) theres humour, love, action, double crossing and more also I really really want to tell the director and actors and crew to make a 4th, 5th H@#L even a 43rd I would buy it and see it like 100 times+. So all you critics saying that they suck you are indeed entitled to your opinion but that certainly means you are not indeed right. AND JOHNNY DEPP IS THE BEST DAMB PIRATE, ACTOR, AND MAN IN THE ENTIRE WORLD and I think it's so cool that they had Johnny's idol in the third (Keith Richards ROCK ON MATEY hehe)
From
The one who loves Johnny the most (heck we even have the same initials JD) (not in an obsessed way by all means the mans a human too) Jessica D. I give all movies a 99999999999999999999999999..../10 stars
May 26, 2007 at 3:43 am
Jessica, you may have just single-handedly convinced me to see this movie.
May 26, 2007 at 1:10 pm
Wow, Jessica....I am speechless.
May 26, 2007 at 1:15 pm
I agree with Bonnie, except for the plot. Wait, I do agree with that. Except it was more like there were a lot of plots. It kind of made my head hurt a little bit. I think I need to see this movie again to know how much I'd enjoy it without a theater full of crazy fans cheering at every little thing. There's nothing quite like seeing a midnight movie.
May 26, 2007 at 6:12 pm
During the first 10 minutes, I found myself questioning whether England in the 18th century had codified laws about habeas corpus, trial by jury, legal counsel, etc. Couldn't the research staff who got their names in the credits have figured this out?
I think it was worth it to stay through the credits just so I could see some of the funny job titles they had on the movie set. I swear I saw a guy credited as "gang leader."
May 26, 2007 at 10:52 pm
First Shrek 3 gets a B+ and then Pirates of the Caribbean gets a B. With all due respect, Eric,...are you getting dumber?
May 27, 2007 at 2:51 pm
Finally, a good movie! Sorry, Spidey and Shrek didn't do it for me. While this one was overlong, it was GOOD. I don't think it matched the first one for sheer enjoyable-ness, but it was definitely much better than part 2. I wondered if it was a musical after the first few scenes. Also, when you've seen the last scene (after the credits) go to www.themoviespoiler.com It will explain something significant that the movie doesn't really explain that makes the ending much more satisfying.
May 27, 2007 at 6:37 pm
i was wondering if there is going to be a fourth pirates
May 27, 2007 at 8:02 pm
#16: Opinion, sir. Remember that movie reviews rely heavily on opinion.
May 28, 2007 at 12:54 pm
#19. If Eric can say the following about the audience at Wild Hogs: "The audience was vomiting on itself with laughter from start to finish. The more obscene, illogical, or juvenile the humor got, the more they howled. It was like someone set a monkey loose in a class full of retards" (which is one of my favorites lines he's ever written, by the way) then I think I have the right to ask him if he's recently lost any IQ points for giving such high marks to Shrek the Third and Pirates of the Caribbean. Yes, we are all entitled to our opinions. And because of these two recent reviews, my opinion of Eric has dropped a little. ...but not by much. He's still my favorite movie critic.
May 28, 2007 at 2:21 pm
Pirates 3 is the worst movie I have seen in years. I had the worst headache after coming out of what seemed to be a time warp of pure chaos and stupidity. Perhaps Eric's access to the plot synopsis or some other kind of pre-release guide to the film contributed to his enjoyment of the film. The worst scene was when Lord Beckett walks onto the deck of the Flying Dutchman unscathed as exploding debris and cannons fly around him. This movie was terrible!
May 28, 2007 at 2:41 pm
The movie was absolutely splendid! Way too short!! No one moved during the entire run. I wasn't confused at all. Of course I loved the first two. The last was the best of the lot. I truly believe most critics had their reviews written BEFORE they even saw the movie. Well acted; well directed; beautiful cinematography; exciting battles; happiness for Willabeth fans. Money very very very very well spent. 15 stars on a scale of one to 10:)
May 29, 2007 at 8:39 am
#15, England's common law system is is the basis of American legal procedure. Habeas Corpus has been around since at least the 14th century if not earlier, as were most of the other legal rights mentioned in the beginning. :) Looks like they did do their research.
And I loved the movie, random killing off of characters aside, because it was pure piratey fun.
May 29, 2007 at 2:01 pm
I think perhaps the best advice is that if you liked the first two Pirates movies, you're probably going to like this one too. It is not a theatrical masterpiece by any means, but it was fun.
I went to the website John Doe mentioned above in #17 (I assume he was referring to the comments at the bottom of the PotC page). Interesting, but they definitely should have made that more clear if that's what they meant by it.
May 29, 2007 at 2:44 pm
#21 - I did enjoy the movie (well, mostly, overall), but I have to fully agree with the comment about the Lord Beckett death scene. I found myself looking at my watch, thinking, "wow, this has gone on for like 3 minutes...couldn't someone have just stabbed him?" They spent an awful lot of screen time killing a character that we didn't even really like much in a ridiculous fashion, when that time could have been much better spent explaining things about the characters we actually DO like.
For example, what happened between Calypso and Davy Jones? We actually kinda liked Davy, and they just dumped him into a maelstrom and that's it? And I was thoroughly unhappy with the resolution of the Elizabeth-Will subplot. Apparently the scene after the credits was supposed to explain more of that, but #24 is right that the scene should have been much more clear. I think some plot must have ended up on the cutting room floor or something. On the whole, I found the movie disappointing...it was alright, but I was let down at the end.
May 29, 2007 at 9:14 pm
I agree with Eric--this is by far the best and the most coherent of the three Pirates movies. Although I must admit I went in forewarned with the knowledge that it was so complex that even some of the actors were getting confused during shooting--and that that would mean paying attention. It was worth it. It was worth it, too, to finally be able to see Jack come through as likeable, instead of just fun to watch. And the entire climactic battle scene was absolutely gorgeous; seriously the best action choreography I've seen in a long time. Also, the music in this film is better than the first two combined and then some! I swoon every time I hear the "I Don't Think Now is the Best Time" track (the naming of some of the tracks leaves something to be desired, I think).
May 29, 2007 at 9:34 pm
The third Pirates was the best hands down, no questions. I've seen it twice and I'm sure I'll see it again before the week is out. I was a bit disappointed in the Will/Elizabeth ending, but that's how it goes. It may also have something to do with the fact that Johnny Depp is pretty much amazing.
May 30, 2007 at 12:23 am
I think the 1st movie was the most coherent of the three. Maybe because I've seen it about 10 times...
And I agree with #25... what happened with Calypso and Davy? Or heck, even Calypso? She turns into a giant, creates a whirlpool and disappears? I thought she'd make the seas all turmoily and stuff. Wasn't that what Barbosa's point was? What Calypso herself threatened? One whirlpool and she gets bored?
No consistency, movie. C'mon.
May 30, 2007 at 4:23 pm
Yeah, I am going to have to forget that they made #2 and #3. I was hoping that #3 would resurrect the disaster that was #2, but it didn't. I agree with #28 Brandon about the movie. The Calypso story didn't explain itself.
May 31, 2007 at 1:16 am
I just watch this movie and it was a BIG disappointment. It was tooo long with out any reason! It felt like there were 20 screen writers wrote the script... and put it together just to get as much story as it can get. Cool CGIs but effects do not make a story.
I give credit to Johnny Depp and Capt Barbosa for good performance, but the development of the story was just too slow.
I was a big fan of first and secod Pirates, but definitely not the third.
May 31, 2007 at 9:54 am
Movie was good, the ending was terrible anyone who think Liz should stand around for 10 years waiting for Will to come in for 1 night is foolish and its unacceptable lets face it Will died and had to stay on the dutchmen, Liz should of then left with Capt Jack on the Pearl end of story she wouldnt have to cheat on Will because he has another destiny and she could be free to sail with Jack without feeling any guilt for her feelings for him. Dinsey blew the Jack and Liz story for a cheap love ending with Will and Liz!~ I can only say one word about it YUK!
May 31, 2007 at 12:47 pm
Dale, I was thinking that Will should kill Elizabeth so she ends up on the Flying Dutchman as his love slave. The "Jack and Liz story" was lame.
June 1, 2007 at 3:51 am
pirates 3 cant be the end there are so many things unanswered, and the thing about the fountain of youth could be a great story, and how could elizabeth waite 10 years for will why dosnt she sail on the black pearl so she could be closer to him. i love the pirates films they are the best, i never thought about becoming an actress untill these films and now thats what i want to do, plse make more and if pos put me in 1.
June 4, 2007 at 12:08 am
Wow, I was expecting a really nasty review of this. I'm a 48 year old soccer mom -type and fantasy/SF buff, and loved the first Pirates movie. I went to this movie with 6 fifteen year old male geekie types (since I can drive and have a mini-van) who were really pumped to see it, and they really thought it stunk. They said it was all over when Elizabeth was elected "king of the pirates". I fell asleep for about 15 minutes in the middle. Perhaps it would have made more sense if I had stayed awake for the whole thing. I absolutely hated the ending-- a perfectly good waste of Orlando Bloom-- no one wants to see him turned into Davy Jones. Yuck! And the throught that a sequel was hinted at was even more abhorrent.
June 6, 2007 at 6:29 pm
I'm surprised no one commented on the humour found with Captain Jack and his Daddy. I KNEW they were related as soon as he entered the screen.
June 11, 2007 at 1:03 pm
World's End is the second best of the trilogy; the first entry is still the most coherent, which counts for a lot in my book.
June 15, 2007 at 2:00 pm
Absolutely horrible movie. My wife loved it, but she can't see any error in movies with a Disney stamp. I love Star Wars and realize that the acting was horrible and dialog was worse. No accounting for taste, I guess.
June 16, 2007 at 11:29 am
Saw this yesterday... first movie I've been to in a theater in quite a while... Wow, was it LOUD!! I was practically exhausted by the time the trailers were all over... I thought it was fun and had a lot of great moments, but I think the second was the best in the series, by far. This one was kind of bloated and bogged down in some respects. The second was all fun and had the best spirit about it, and we were introduced then to the great characters of Davy Jones and Tia Dalma, whereas in the third movie everyone is just there again so there was nothing really new (well, Keith Richards, I suppose, but I didn't think his cameo was anything special, really. other than the typecasting). The boat fight sequence near the end was quite amazingly done, but again, I thought the waterwheel fight and cliff cage sequences from the second film were more clever and thrilling. I'd rate them all, out of 10, as: Curse of the Black Pearl = 7, Dead Man's Chest = 10, At World's End = 8.
June 20, 2007 at 5:10 pm
In that scene at the end of the credits, Will should have come back with an octopus face.
June 22, 2007 at 1:22 pm
Welcome aboard, Mr. Snider to seeing what us Pirates nuts saw from the start! As a real fangirl, I love all of these movies with obscene enthusiasm, but thought I would come up for air long enough to compliment you on a well-written and fair review, I'll have to read more of your writing in the future; it may save me some dollars some day - stopping me from viewing a truly horrible creation a la Catwoman. Personally, I was shell-shocked at my first viewing of this film, it's such a ride if you can relax and roll with the ship - gotta laugh (in a maniacally piratey way) at the rugs this movie pulled out from under everyone - kudos to Disney and the whole cast and company for the risks they took, and creating a dark, magical, epic, funny, bittersweet, spectacular "maelstrom" that's worth watching again and again. Like I told a friend, you either get what the director was doing, or you don't! Anyway, I will look forward to your review of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix!
June 27, 2007 at 1:19 pm
This was actually the first POC i sat down and watched in it's entirety. I saw it three times. It was worth it but the only problem I had was with Calypso. As a history freak, it goes without saying that I was like Calypso Goddess of the Sea? WTF? First of all Poseidon rules the sea, second of all Calypso in greek mythology wasn't even a major goddess, she was a sea nymph, and her only significance was that she bound Odyeuss for seven years. Oh well, despite that Calypso needed a bigger climax. 1. What the hell was she saying at her release? 2. A bunch of d*** crabs? WTF! She should had hauled @$$ and went to slayin. Other than that fact, it is one of my favorite movies, and I will be buying it when it comes to blueray. BTW WAIT TO THE END CREDIT! Though it isn't worth it (only about 25 seconds). They definately need another sequel!
July 9, 2007 at 4:56 pm
I saved my commentary until I had time to really digest the film and I hate to say it, but this was the thinnest, worst Pirate movie of the trilogy. And I love movies and I love the ensemble cast. But this was badly pu together, the character arcs were left half complete and as days go by, it was just bubblegum on the high seas without any heart. Bruckheimer really robbed this of any emotional power with too much CGI, too many "committee meetings" within the film and too many loose ends. Face it, this trilogy should die now and never rise again. Sorry, I had high hopes from T&T, but from what I gather, a lot of really thoughtful moments ended up on the cutting room floor.
July 9, 2007 at 5:52 pm
I'm really surprised Eric gave this as good of a review as he did. I am a huge fan of all the pirate movies and I was waiting on pins and needles to see the third. It was a total stinker. Even the incredible, beloved actors in this movie couldn't save it. It was all over the place with too many plot holes to keep track of and the ending was downright awful and really not worth waiting for (and yes, I stayed until after the credits). I wish I had saved my time and money. I sat through three movies to get an ending like that? Both my husband and I left utterly disappointed and deflated.
Also, it was way more violent, not to mention gory than the previous two. Really, absolutely disgusting images. I was surprised Disney would let it get that bad. I really feel they screwed up the whole series with this turkey.
July 21, 2007 at 8:48 am
I thoughgt the movie was preety great. I saw it with my close friend. When one of my friends told me the SECERT ENDING..... I looked it up and Will and Elizabeth have a child ten years later, he is like five..... Listen up- in the 4th movie we looked up, I am not sure if I am going to see it, Will and Elizabeth will not be in it , it will be an alll Jack Sparrow Movie , sorry for people who like Elizabeth and Will Turner. That STINKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
December 9, 2007 at 11:28 am
[SPOILERS] OH MAN!!!!! That sucks. They are not going to be in the 4th movie? That was the whole point for me to see the 3rd movie, so I can see Will and Elizabeth get back together. And now they only get to see each other once every 10 years. I was hoping that would be fixed in the 4th movie, but I guess not. That means Will only gets to see his son when he is 10, 20, 30, 40...etc years of age. And Elizabeth will look older and older everytime he comes back. Oh, the heartbreak!
December 12, 2007 at 9:17 am
who was the star of pirates 3?knightly or bloom? frankly elizabeth could have been left out completely. i wanted the movie for jack sparrows performance and his funny affection for will turner when he wasnt running from trouble. but it was all ruined by elizabeth and will was too dominate and there was nothing of jack . it was as if he was thrown in as an after thought. no need to make another unless jack sparrow has his place back with will as a friend and elizabeth where she belongs , 6 steps behind with her screaming mouth shut. i will never forgive the writers and producers for doing that to jack sparrow. who does knightly think she is ? who does the writers think she is. leave out all those fish. the dead people on the curse was enough and could have been followed up on somehow by something more reliable than fish. after davy jones locker is only symbolic of a sea mans death.
December 26, 2007 at 8:32 pm
You know, I think the most entertaining parts of these reviews are the comments and the way people snipe at each other. Sorry, Eric, but these spats are the only reason I read your reviews!
As much as I enjoy these comments, some people need to calm down. It's only a movie, and everyone's entitled to their opinion. Take it easy. It's not the end of the world if someone disagrees with you. Hopefully, we've all matured past the age of five......
March 10, 2008 at 5:28 pm
DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME ON THIS MOVIE!!!
I loved the first movie and thought the second one was ok. After hearing and reading rave reviews about this one, I bought it before seeing it. BIG mistake! I wasted $25. I was bored through most of this film and was lost several times. "Why's he doing this?" "What are they doing there?" As far as I am concerned, this was the weakest of the three by far and I wish I could get my money back. Oh...and Jack should have been stabbed instead of Will.
September 14, 2008 at 9:09 am
If you happen to read all the way down to my entry, I agree with all the people that thought this one was the worst out of the three. I was very dissapointed, as the first and second were brilliant films. I felt that this film was way too confusing.. I felt like turning it off halfway through but loved the first two that much i thought it must get better...??? No, it did not. What amazes me is that this film is supposed to cater for people of all ages - I am sorry but a 12 year old would completely lose interest in this!! There were a few glimmers of life, of course through the wittiness of Jack, but in all there should have been way more than this. Where has the comedy gone! Thats is what made the first two movies! There were some silly scenes as well, such as Jacks muliple personas, and the marriage scene which was pathetic and stupid. Sorry but I am way let down, and if they make another one, thay need to make it much more simple and FUN!!!!