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July 20, 2007
Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End (2007)
Should I see it?
No.




This final installment of the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise left me more disappointed than a beer vendor at a Baptist convention. Even if you liked the first two Pirates of the Caribbean movies, this one will still probably let you down.

Johnny Depp reprises his role as Captain Jack Sparrow and fills the screen once again with his performance. The problem is that even a wildly popular character cannot mask a thin script. Numerous loose ends from their previous film Dead Man’s Chest proves too much to for screenwriters Terry Rossio and Ted Elliot to overcome. To force a resolution to their sprawling narrative, the writers introduce new characters, conflicts and rules that are simply inorganic when held against the previous films. By the end of this outing it is clear that it is a good thing the franchise is going away.

This film is proof that it is possible to have too many spokes in your narrative wheel. It’s a bad thing when your audience needs a scorecard to keep track of all of the competing plots and characters.

Go back and watch the original Pirates of the Caribbean and ignore this fumbling mess.


Worldview: Just like the previous film this movie promotes a view that moral relativity rules the universe. The original film’s line of thought that the pirate’s code is more of a set of suggestions fuels this piece. Everyone is out for themselves, while there are brief moments of sacrifice, any semblance of actual goodness is vacant. When one looks at the behavior of the “good guys” they are not far removed from the villains. The only thing that makes the protagonists good is that our attention is pushed their way. In the world of this film there are no good people.

In the world of this film there is also no God. There are plenty of curses and odd afterlife notions but God is not present. Instead of being rescued from the price of their sins by the blood of Christ, this film shows that their pals can save people – if their pals really try hard. I always find it interesting that filmmakers are likely to casually mention sin, curses and the devil but can’t quite muster the logic to speak of Christ standing against these things.


Production Notes: The main reason this film is so scattered is that doesn’t have much to do with the first film. As mentioned in my review of Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest, the three films form a three-act structure. The first film is the opening act and this film is the final act. Literally, this film not being deeply connected to the first (by narrative) is no different than telling the story of Snow White and ending the tale with the resolution from Cinderella. It’s confusing and unrelated.

The characters are the same throughout the films but the story is too transitory to maintain any sense.


Cautions: This film contains cartoon violence, but it is dark. The violence isn’t gory but the nonchalant attitude towards killing may be disturbing. There is a brief moment of sensuality between two characters involving the male lead passionately kissing at the leg of the female lead.

As with the previous films, the biggest concern with this work is the godless worldview which allows for the casual violence and whatnot. The afterlife is considered to be a pliable plane of existence that can be manipulated and molded by human endeavor. Since this is the case one’s morality in this world isn’t of concern. You can always have your punishment absolved if you’re well connected and people will come to your aid.


Other Reviews:
Reel.com
Film School Rejects


Kiera Knightly movies:
Bend it Like Becham (2002)
Domino (2005)




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posted by Michelle Obama's Left Nut at 10:10 AM




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