Pirates Of The Caribbean: At Worlds End Review

Overall Rating

Jack Sparrow
The return of Captain Barbossa
Funny
Epic action sequences

Complicated plot
Too long for some
Multiple Jack Scenes (You'll know when you see them) are a but weird

There has been a lot of rubbish written about Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End. Many critics will have you believe that this film isn't worth seeing, is boring and lacks humour. In response to that I would say such sentiments are a load of garbage. While At World's End isn't as good as The Curse of The Black Pearl it is still a very enjoyable film that is well worth the price of admission.

The great thing about the Pirates of The Caribbean franchise is that it is good, clean fun with plenty of jokes for both the adults and kids. This one is no exception, and while not laugh out loud funny all the way through, it certainly has it's moments. Jonny Depp is on fine form as Sparrow and Captain Barbossa, the marvelous Geoffrey Rush, steals every scene he is in. The banter between Rush and Depp is brilliant and if ever two characters were made to bounce off each other it's Captain Jack and Captain Barbossa. The famous Pirate Monkey also steals a few scenes himself with many a comedy moment.

The plot, which is the main criticism people throw at this film, is fairly convoluted, but you always have a fair idea of which way the wind is blowing - which is all that matters.

The plot picks up where Dead Man's Chest left off. Elizabeth Swann (Knightley), Will Turner (Bloom) and the former crew members have recruited old foe Barbossa to help them rescue Jack from Davey Jones's Locker. All the characters have different motives which is what confuses many. Elizabeth feels a debt to Jack after stitching him up at the end of Dead Man's Chest, Will Turner wants to rescue Jack in order to subsequently rescue his father and Barbossa needs Jack in order to sanction a key meeting between the Pirate Lords of the seven seas.

High jinx are on the radar from the off as things in Pirates rarely run smoothly with plenty of deal making and breaking between our Pirate Heroes, the army of Lord Cutler Beckett and of course Davey Jones who is being manipulated and controlled by Beckett. If you remember Beckett has Jones's heart locked away in a case following the escapades in Dead Man's Chest.

This film is fairly long, but I can honestly say I never wanted it to end and the final battle is brilliantly executed as is the last 10 minutes which pay homage to the original.

Every single one of the significant characters from the previous two is in this which just adds to the enjoyment. Killjoys may not have liked At World's End, but I think everyone else should sit back, crack open some rum and enjoy what could be the last swashbuckling adventure for Jack Sparrow and his motley crew.

Members' Comments onHank's Review

• Helen of Troy on 29th May 2007

  Excellent review as always Hank! We have just been to see this film and agree with everything you have put in your review.
  Great film! My 8 year old seemed to follow the plot better than I did. He was on the edge of his seat at some of the scenes!

• Hank on 29th May 2007

  Hi Helen, I'm glad you liked the review and more importantly that you liked the film!
  
  Did you see the scene at the end of the credits? Unfortunately I missed it and only found out afterwards which I'm not happy about.
  
  I look forward to reading your review of this film on the Review Centre shortly!!!

• affleck on 30th May 2007

  Absolutely agree with everything you say, this film doesn't take itself to seriously and I watched it with a smile on my face all the way through. A triumph for the film makers, i also did not want it to end

• Anonymous101 on 5th Jun 2007

  I have seen POTC 1, do I need to watch 2 before 3?

• Hank on 5th Jun 2007

  Ahoy there Micky69! The answer to your question is a resounding YES. POTC 1 is fairly independent of 2 and 3, but 2 and 3 are basically a double header. There are characters and plot developments that won't make sense to you unless you have seen Dead Man's Chest.

• Anonymous101 on 6th Jun 2007

  Shiver me Timbers, I need to go and hire me a thar DVD then don't I, before I does go down the Cinemas like, thanks a lot me harty's.

• Helen of Troy on 23rd Jun 2007

  I missed the scene at the end credits Hank! Knew nothing about it until I saw Bozinater's post in the forums! So annoying!

• Bertie on 28th Sep 2009

  I found this review very helpful because of previous experience of Hank's sound judgement of films. I had the three episodes of Pirates on DVD from eBay for seven quid and watched them wearing my upmarket headphones on a huge TV with full stereo sound and all the gubbins. Zounds, what sounds and we won't talk about the picture quality!! Wow!! Thats what I call ENTERTAINMENT!!