A ReviewPirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl

by Ryan Cardinale

         Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl was one of 2003’s biggest blockbusters. Directed by Gore Verbinski and Produced by Jerry Brukheimer, this rousing adventure film tells the tale of a group of pirates struggling to escape a curse, a captain trying to reclaim his ship, and a blacksmith with a mission to rescue the girl he loves.

         The film opens in the middle of the Caribbean. Governor Swan and his daughter Elizabeth are traveling to their home at Port Royal, when suddenly, they come across the wreckage of a ship which was ransacked by pirates. The sole survivor is a young boy named William Turner. The story then picks up ten years later. William, played be Orlando Bloom, is a blacksmith in Port Royal and Elizabeth, performed by Keira Knightley, is deciding whether to marry the military commander of the town: Commodore Norrington. During the middle of Norrington’s promotion ceremony, a pirate named Jack Sparrow, played by Johnny Depp, shows up and attempts to commandeer one of the British Navy ships. Although he battles bravely, he is captured and locked up in prison awaiting his fate: the gallows. It is then that the Black Pearl arrives.

         In the words of one of the movie’s characters, “The Black Pearl has been preying on ships and settlements for near ten years. Never leaves any survivors.” As the heroes later discover, the crew of the Black Pearl with their captain Barbossa, ten years previous, had stolen a chest of coins from the explorer Cortez. A curse was then placed on them which made them essentially living dead. Only during the moonlight could anyone see their true form of skeletons with rags. The only way for them to remove their curse would be to find and replace every last coin back in the chest from whence it came. The pirates know that the last coin is in Port Royal. With a full broad-side attack, the pirates initiate their assault. They then proceed to kidnap Elizabeth, who has the coin they need. Will Turner proceeds to spring Jack Sparrow from prison and convinces him to help him rescue Elizabeth. Their attempt, however valiant, fails. Will is captured, and Jack and Elizabeth are left to starve on a desert island.

         Fortunately, Jack and Elizabeth discover a cache of rum left on the island by rum runners, and are able to light a giant bonfire. After being rescued by Commodore Norrington, they persuade him, with much deliberation, to take the British Navy, capture the pirates, and free Will. The pirates, however, discover their plan and launch an attack of their own. While the battle rages, Jack and Elizabeth sneak off to rescue Will. A great battle ensues between Barbossa and Jack for the possession of the Black Pearl. After the rescuer is rescued, the heroes return to Port Royal for a final showdown.

         Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl is an amazingly well-made movie with a boatload of excellent special effects and edge-of-your-seat moments. The main character, Jack Sparrow, is performed superbly by Johnny Depp. Important values, such as loyalty and forgiveness are shown throughout the film. Although the battles are intense, they are nowhere nearly as violent as the ones in The Lord of the Rings. The sword duels are spectacular. Overall, this movie is very well made and should be enjoyed by families everywhere. This is one of only two movies that my dad won’t fall asleep watching no matter how many times he’s seen it. For parents who don’t want their children over ten to watch this, go ahead and preview it. You’ll quickly change your mind.