July 2, 2003

Arrrrrrr!

It is not time to tell the entire tale of Pirates of The Caribbean yet. But after last night’s all-media, I can say this… it is this summer’s second home run. The film is 15 minutes too long in a late 2nd act, early 3rd act lull, but still, it feels like a movie that you can love over and over and over again.

Credit starts with Jerry Bruckheimer, who dumped the early versions of the conceived version of the kids’ ride adaptation and hired the right guys, Terry Rossio and Ted Elliot to find the perfect tone. The result is very reminiscent of their work on The Mask of Zorro, which was underappreciated and grossed only $96 million domestically. Then again, the high grosser of that year was $217 million. But still, a wonderful film with a star-making performance by Catherine Zeta-Jones, one of Antonio Banderas’ best Hollywood efforts and a little perspective and fun for Anthony Hopkins.

There were two other writers who did earlier drafts on the film – Jay Wolpert and Stuart Beattie – who should not be forgotten. But this movie feels like the work of Rossio & Elliot, so I give them the lion’s share of the credit. They built another reluctant hero, another strong female damsel who has the heart of a hero herself and another teacher, though Johnny Depp’s Captain Jack Sparrow is a lot more fun than any character they’ve ever written.

I am slowing my roll now, as this is becoming a review, which I am not supposed to be writing. But get used to Keira Knightly and Orlando Bloom as major movie stars. Johnny Depp gives the kind of joyous performance that would win an Oscar if they gave Oscars for fun performances. Geoffrey Rush is perfect.

This is the summer movie that summer has been waiting for. I still hold Reloaded in a different level of respect and admiration. But as for a super summer love-in that will leave every family member smiling, this is The One.

The Matrix Reloaded. Reloaded.
Read Part One
Read Part Two