Plot: What’s it about?
You know, you’ve really got to hand it to Johnny Depp. Who knew that a guy who started out in Hollywood playing a character less memorable than the geyser of blood he eventually became would grow up to be one of the most versatile and interesting leading men on the big screen? Back in 2003, the very idea of a Pirates film was something of a joke. What could really be made out of what was essentially just a theme park ride? Comic book movies were one thing, but this? Needless to say, Jerry Bruckheimer and company took everyone by surprise, beginning with a remarkable ad campaign that did wonders to prime the pump for an opening that no one could have expected. Almost incidental, of course, was the fact that the film shockingly turned out to be one hell of a good time. I hadn’t watched the first installment of the franchise since the initial DVD release a while back, so I came to it as fresh as possible. I’m pleased to say that the film still holds up extremely well, and perhaps even better than I remembered. While it’s undeniable that Depp’s portrayal of the now iconic Captain Jack Sparrow is the glue that holds this franchise together, I was surprised upon revisiting this film that I found nearly as much of interest in a few other characters as well. Each individual is given as close to a three-dimensional persona as a jam-packed action film like this one could possibly allow, and it’s refreshing to see a movie that cares almost as much for its characters as it asks us to do in return.
As this is a long film, a decent chunk of the running time is devoted to expositional storytelling, with more than a few presumably throwaway moments actually taking on greater importance in the first sequel. This serves to give one the impression that the seeds for a franchise were being laid here, though whether that decision was made this early on or during the production of the next feature is anyone’s guess. Suffice it to say that while this film is deceptively simple and straight forward, you do actually have to pay attention and follow plot points (quite the rarity in the big explosion, high-flying adventure yarn genre). Orlando Bloom does just fine with what he’s given, though admittedly it isn’t much. I suppose his purpose is simply to function as the straight man to Sparrow’s manic, over-the-top personality, but in all honesty, the character of Will Tuner just isn’t interesting enough on his own to carry the picture. All involved seem to fully understand this, mind you, and as a result Sparrow is spotlighted at every opportunity. Geoffrey Rush is under-appreciated as Sparrow’s nemesis, Captain Barbossa, proving himself to be every bit the chameleon that Depp is in a role that’s equally engaging, if less blatantly scene-stealing. As far as the action itself goes, it’s every bit as great as you remember it. Whatever else is said about Bruckheimer, he does know how to stage action set pieces with the best of them.
With all of these things going for “Pirates Of The Caribbean: The Curse Of The Black Pearl”, I’m a bit surprised that I don’t whole-heartedly love the film. That’s not to say that I didn’t have a great time watching it. I most certainly did. I’m simply not as enamored with these films as most appear to be, and I’m not sure why. I think it’s a combination of things. First, this film is just too long. I mentioned that much of the exposition in this entry is essential later on…but not all of it is. Twenty minutes could easily be excised from the film without losing any of its overall impact, and at the same time it would tighten up sections that tend to drag. This problem is perhaps more prevalent and obvious in the second film, but it’s here, too, with one too many endings tacked on to an already draining experience. Another issue I had is one I’ve already touched on earlier: Will Turner isn’t interesting. And I don’t blame Bloom for that. I blame a weakly-written character with little to contribute to an otherwise highly interesting film, especially when put alongside such scenery-chewing performances as Depp’s and Rush’s. That’s a shame, because it’s his character’s arc that these films are supposed to be about, and it’s the least engaging by a mile. This tends to makes the action unfolding around him a lot less emotionally charged than it really should be. In the end, as much fun as it is to watch, it still feels like an overblown Hollywood extravaganza that doesn’t have as much in its heart as it does up its sleeves.
Video: How does it look?
Wow. Before I watched this disc, I’d heard that it was something to behold in high definition, and Buena Vista’s AVC MPEG-4 1080p transfer certainly lives up to my anticipation in every way. This film and its sequel are, in short, THE demo discs to show off your Blu-ray capable home theater system. Talking about black levels, compression problems, or any kind of noise is simply a moot point on these transfers. The level of apparent detail in direct comparison to the previous DVD is both staggering and stunning. A friend and I did a side by side comparison and all we could keep asking ourselves was “have DVD’s really always looked this terrible and we just never realized it”? I can say with conviction that in this case, the answer is sadly, “yes”. Textures on coats and hats that were never even visible before leap off the screen on the Blu-ray and transform a film that looked deceptively dark and muddy into a colorful celebration of the previously hidden talents of the art department. It’s truly a great time to be a film enthusiast. It’s hard to believe the amazing quality and clarity that we now get to enjoy films in at home, and “Pirates Of The Caribbean: The Curse Of The Black Pearl” is a crystalline example of what to expect from a next generation format.
Audio: How does it sound?
The 5.1 tracks presented here are every bit on par with the visuals. This is an aggressive mix that will get the most out of your speakers, regardless of what kind of setup you have. I was consistently engaged by the transparency of the sound field and the tightness and fullness of the bass present here, and it’s enough to satiate the appetite of even the most discerning audiophiles out there. Even in the quiet scenes, the surrounds are utilized for effective ambiance, and in the action sequences, the mix comes as splendidly to life as one could hope on such a recent release. No complaints whatsoever.
Supplements: What are the extras?
Those who have already picked up the previous edition of “Pirates Of The Caribbean” can safely discard their old editions, as Buena Vista has graciously ported over virtually every extra from those incarnations of the film. All three previously-released commentary tracks are here this time around, along with a trailer for “At World’s End” in full 1080p video. Also included is a 38-minute documentary called “An Epic at Sea: The Making of Pirates of the Caribbean,” a 20-minute “Fly On The Set” featurette, three video diaries totaling around 20 more minutes, 19 deleted scenes (which are actually just scene extensions with very little “new material to speak of), the 7-minute “Moonlight Serenade Progression” featurette, a brief but amusing blooper reel, an excerpt from “Walt Disney’s Wonderful World Of Color” which showcases the original Pirates Of The Caribbean attraction at Disneyland, and a rather extensive still gallery. Lastly, there’s the HD-exclusive “Scoundrels At Sea” feature, which utilizes Blu-ray’s interactivity to greater extent, allowing viewers to customize their supplementary experience. All of the easter eggs from the previous DVDs return here as well.
