'Pirates of the Caribbean' out in theaters
8:18 a.m. Friday, July 7, 2006
How can you compete with pirates?
Apparently you can't and that's why "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest" is the only movie opening in area theaters this week.
Expectations are high for this sequel to 2003's enormously successful "Curse of the Black Pearl," considering the flick brings back the same cast and crew, including Johnny Depp as eccentric Captain Jack Sparrow.
And on many levels the movie doesn't disappoint. Its story of Sparrow searching for Davy Jones' locker provides the foundation for wall-to-wall action involving cannibals, giant sea creatures, the Flying Dutchman and oodles of swordfights.
It is fitting that the first film took its name and concept from a Disney theme park attraction, because "Dead Man's Chest" is very much like one of these rides. It's a great combination of velocity, twists and a few scares. Trouble is that the film doesn't know when the ride should end. At over two-and-a-half hours this sequel veers toward overkill. Even with all the creativity and talent concerned, the picture eventually becomes rather mind-numbing.
"Dead Man's Chest" is kind of "The Empire Strikes Back" of the series: It builds to an unresolved crescendo that sets up part three, which was shot at the same time as two and will be released next May. Hopefully, that next cinematic ride will be a little more concise.
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