Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End

Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End is the third installment to the Disney franchise based on the popular theme park ride. The film went on to break the global box office record in which the film earned four hundred and one million dollars in the first six days of it’s release, as well as breaking the memorial day weekend record here in the United States earning one hundred and fifty six million dollars. Personally this film is my least favorite out of the trilogy but it still holds it’s own and brings the story of the trilogy full circle.

Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End starts off where the second film left off, Will, Elizabeth and the rest of Jack crew team up with Captain Barbossa whom we learn was bought back from the dead by Tia Dalma in order to help free Captain Jack Sparrow from Davy Jones’s locker. The crew travel to worlds End where they plunge over a great waterfall and end up in Davy Jones’s locker and find and rescue Jack. When they make it back to the real world they realize that a lot of bad things are happening. The British army in control of Davy Jones heart is controlling him and the crew of the Flying Dutchman and making them destroy all the pirate vessels they come across in the sea, as well as any other troubles that should arise. Jack, Elizabeth, Will and Barbossa now make a trip towards shipwreck cove to convince the other pirate lords to help them fight against the British navy and Davy Jones. However along the way they will face certain problems and betrayals before they make it to shipwreck cove. The film comes to a climatic battle scene ending where the fate of the pirate world is at stake.

While there is plenty of action in the film, there is not as much as there was in the first two films. the script for the third installment relies more on story and narrative to drive the plot forward and the action seems to take a back seat this time. Now don’t get me wrong there is plenty of action to go around, but it’s not as big and extravagate as it was in the first two films. Part of what both hurts and makes the script. Sure I want a great story but this is an action film and I wanted more over the top action like I got in the first two movies. However we do learn more about the characters and their backgrounds in the film, and it’s not in a the way of development of the characters that we already know from the first tow films, but rather takes a deeper look at the roots of their past.

The acting as in the first two films is phenomenal, as always Johhny Depp is great as Captain Jack Sparrow, I don’t think anyone but him could ever play this role. Both Orlando Bloom and Keira Knightley were great in the return to their roles, but actor Geoffrey Rush I felt stole the show in his return as Captain Barbossa and felt his performance was stronger than it was in the first film. The rest of the supporting cast which includes Chow Yun-Fat,Jack Davenport, Bill Nighy, Jonathan Pryce, Mackenzie Crook, Lee Arenberg, Kevin McNally, Tom Hollander, Naomie Harris and Stellan Skarsgård as Bootstrap Bill Turner; all were wonderful in their supporting roles and rounded out the cast perfectly. There is even a cameo appearance by Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards as Jack Sparrow’s father Captain Teague.

As always the production value as with the first two films is nothing but perfect. Everything from the set design, visuals effects and props were all perfect. However one thing that stood out more than anything in terms of the production value was the great costume design. Unlike the first two films which in their own right did have great costume design as well; I can see this film winning an academy award for it’s costume design. There seemed to be a lot that went into making all the different costume and matching up the cultures of each individual pirate clan and the British navy. So the costume design in all aspects of the film was very diverse. Nothing but great overall production value as is to be expected from such a grand scale film such as this one.

Overall, while I did find Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End to be the weakest film of the trilogy, I do however think it stands on it’s own and brings the whole adventure full circle. I’m sure anyone who was a fan of the first two films will this one just as entertaining. The film also ends on a high note that does scream sequel, and god I hope Disney decides to go ahead and make another one, because this has been one hell of a great trilogy and I’d love to see the franchise that is Pirates of the Caribbean move forward and do just as good as it’s doing now.

– Horror Bob

DVD

PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN : AT WORLD’S END

2-Disc Disney DVD Bonus Materials

DISC 1

• Feature Film Presentation

• Bloopers of the Caribbean – hilarious outtakes of cast and crew

DISC 2

• Anatomy of a Scene: The Maelstrom – a detailed breakdown of one of cinema’s most

complex and impressive action set pieces

• Keith & the Captain– A revealing look at the dynamic relationship between living

legends Keith Richards and Johnny Depp

• Tale of the Many Jacks – an in-depth look at the mind-blowing FX that went into

creating multiple Captain Jacks

• Hoist the Colours – reveals the inspiration for the “Hoist the Colours” original

composition

• Masters of Design – five individual documentaries highlighting the talented design

teams behind this immense production

#1: Jim Byrkit: Sao Feng’s Map

#2: Crash McCreary: The Cursed Crew

#3: Rick Heinrichs: Singapore

#4: Penny Rose: Teague’s Costume

#5: Chris Peck: The Code Book

•  Inside the Brethren Court – a closer look at the legendary Pirate Lords and their costume designs, origins and unique personalities
•  The World of Chow Yun Fat – a look at the man behind devious Captain Sao Feng, international sensation Chow Yun Fat, and his meteoric rise to fame
•  The Pirate Maestro: The Music of Hans Zimmer – meet the renowned composer who created the film’s rousing score

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BLU-RAY DISC

• PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN : AT WORLD’S END
• Blu-ray 2-Disc Bonus Materials

DISC 1

•  Feature Film Presentation
• Jolly Roger Host – BD-Java Exclusive
• Bloopers

DISC 2

• Enter the Maelstrom – BD-Java Exclusive

• All Standard DVD Bonus Content – available in high-definition

PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN : AT WORLD’S END

Single Disc Disney DVD Bonus Materials