By Edwin Hopkins
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Trilogies seem to be increasing in popularity. Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings, The Wachowski’s Matrix triad, Deepa Mehta’s trilogy of the elements Earth, Fire and Water ,even Vin Diesel imagined his Chronicles of Riddick as a trio of films. Pirates of the Caribbean will undoubtedly be added to this venerable roll since it does have a third and final chapter arriving May 25th 2007.

Dead Man’s Chest opens with the beautiful Elizabeth Swann (Keira Knightley) kneeling at an altar in a lavish wedding dress being drenched in a rainy downpour.  Apparently, she’s waiting for her husband -to-be, Will Turner. Unfortunately both end up being arrested by haughty government official, Beckett, for aiding and abetting their old friend Captain Jack Sparrow to escape the gallows. Swann’s ex-fiance Commodore Norrington is taken also for releasing Jack from his sentence. Knowing of Elizabeth’s tenuous relationship with Sparrow, Beckett strikes a deal with her, exchanging her, Will’s and Norrington’s freedom for a special compass in Jack’s possession.

Johnny Depp is the quintessential and irresistible Jack Sparrow who, despite his cavalier attitude and double mindedness towards practically everyone he knows, you can’t help but to like. Considerable time ensues before his first appearance, wetting your anticipation before he finally pops up from an unusual place. He’s on his way back to The Black Pearl.

Seems like Jack is always in trouble, but this time the trouble may be beyond his wiliness. He owes a blood debt to Davey Jones, captain of the ghost ship, Flying DutchMan . Since Jones simply won’t take “no” for an answer, Jack must come up with something for him to accept in his place or something that Jones’ fears to bargain his way out. Once Gore Verbinski takes you through some dramatic exchanges with his incredible cast, his film sets sail with an invigorating zest that keeps you excited and wanting more.  Ocean scenes are just as lavish as in Curse of the Black Pearl thanks to Verbinski’s brilliant cinematographer, Dariusz Wolski. They could’ve made this movie 3 hours long without boring the audience.

Scribes Ted Elliot and Terry Rossio’s lengthy script brings life and some extra depth to all returning characters, including newcomer, Tia Dalma played by the versatile Naomi Harris.  Their snappy, comedic, adventurous dialogue kept me going throughout and by the end, I was really satisfied.

Speaking of the end, which holds a very big surprise for those (like me) who won’t figure it out until it hits, stay after the credits to see the fate of one particular ship mate.  It’s the final hilarious cap to this family friendly comic escapade.
 

Pirate Rumors and Previews

     We've added some cast and two writers (Stuart Beattie, Jay Wolpert), and Hans Zimmer has joined the team as the Composer.  Mr. Zimmer has been the composer on a few films you may have seen: The Weather man, Wallace & Gromit, The Island, Batman Begins, Madaqascar, The Ring & The Ring 2, Spanglish, Shark Tale, Night Watch, Something's Gotta Give, The Last Samurai, Matchstick Men, and, oh yes, Pirates of the Caribbean.

   Bad news for those of us who were eagerly awaiting a Keith Richards performance as Jack Sparrow's father in Dead Man's Chest, or Pirates of the Caribbean II.  About this news Johnny Depp said, "It doesn't look like it will happen now. Keith is on tour so it's hard to fit into the timeframe we're working to." 

   As we've reported, Depp based the Jack Sparrow's speech pattern on the famous Rolling Stoner.  We at HugeReviews.com are hoping that a way will be found to get around the problems, what could be better for a Jack Sparrow fan, than having two of them on screen at the same time, Sr. and Jr., that is.  Watching for a change in the wind to a happier direction...

Joe De Matteo

   In a recent Empire Online interview with Orlando Bloom he was asked if he knew anything about the rumors that Rolling Stoner Keith Richards would appear in the next Pirate film.  He said,  "I've heard those rumours (UK English for rumors) too and I believe there may be some truth in that, yes."

   You may remember that in an interview for the first Pirates of the Caribbean, Johnny Depp said he'd come to the voice he used by trying to imitate Keith Richards.  This should be interesting, and fun.

   There is going to be more than just a Pirates 2, they are actually filming Pirates 3 at the same time.  This confirmation also from the Bloom interview.

   And if you're a game player, you will have a Dead Man's Chest game in your grubby little fingers in short order, too.

Joe De Matteo

Breaking the Disney Curse of the Black box office scores:  Pirates of the Caribbean

            Back in the day, when I was young (I’m not a kid anymore), Disney used to make some pretty good fare.  The cartoons were the best, bar none, and even their kids’ movies  were fun and entertaining, The Apple Dumpling Gang, Herbie, Blackbeard,Condor-Man, etc….  Heck, think back a few years and remember that Disney’s Legend of Sleep Hollow was the standard by which most people compared Tim Burton’s (and Johnny “I can pull off any freaking acting job in the world” Depp) Sleepy Hollow.  Things however... Read all about Pirates 1