Pirates Of The Caribbean: The Curse Of The Black Pearl

Pirates Of The Caribbean: The Curse Of The Black Pearl aka the film that started the most successful franchise based on an amusement park ride. Although technically speaking it is very much based on the swashbuckler films of old though here with a supernatural bent. Throughout filmmaking there have been films that were the noble beginning to an unpleasant end which is the case here. This is two fold one for the franchise itself and one for Johnny Depp as an actor. Depp had been known mostly for his off-beat performances in largely independent films but this thrust that off-beat style into the mainstream in a major way. In this case Depp a highly original take that energized the film that perhaps without him could have been another Cutthroat Island. His influence goes beyond just being an entertaining performance as he informs so much of the film with his presence, as so many scenes that could be standard are given a real flair whether it is making comic banter with the uptight British work, or give more of a life to his more straight forward co-stars. The film also benefits from some spirited action, an entertaining villain in Geoffrey Rush, and a particularly invigorating score from Hans Zimmer. The film isn't without flaws, its pacing is a bit off, though this is only a warm up for the sequels, and not all the effects hold up tot his day. It stands alone though as an enjoyable adventure film, though with perhaps those flaws to indicate things to come.
4/5