Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl

Let me first of all address one of the things that is misleading in the list of special features. Fans of Keira Knightley and Jack Davenport who may be excited to listen to a full-length feature commentary by the two English stars will be disappointed. Much like the DVD `The Girl Next Door' which promises an audio commentary from Elisha Cuthbert and Emile Hirsch, what we have here instead is several scenes in which the two actors comment - though at least with Pirates of the Caribbean the two actors were obviously recorded together and the selection of scenes is more extensive. Okay, now onto discussion of the movie itself - and what a fun ride it is (unlike the rather ho-hum DisneyWorld ride from which it takes its name and reportedly inspiration). Stealing the show and dominating every scene in which they appear is Johnny Depp as Capt. Jack Sparrow and Geoffrey Rush as Barbossa, what we have is possibly the best pirate movie since such productions were in their heyday with such fun filled swashbucklers as `The Crimson Pirate.' Forget more recent pretenders such as `Cutthroat Island' and the truly terrible Matthau vehicle `Pirates', this movie shows that Hollywood can still assemble a good cast and spin a pirate yarn that is both enjoyable, thrilling and well written. The plot concerns the effort by Depp's character to recapture his former ship The Black Pearl from his former shipmate and mutineer Capt. Barbossa. The curse of the title involves Barbossa and his crew being in a perpetual state of undead (cue some pretty nifty special effects) and new meaning to the term `skeleton crew.' Barbossa seems understandably anxious to rid himself of the curse (though why I am not so sure since it certainly gives him and his crew an edge in battle) and searches for a doubloon necklace that hangs around the neck of the beautiful Governors daughter Elizabeth Swann (Knightley). One thing that did surprise me is that Depp does not play the romantic lead in this movie, deferring that part instead to Orlando Bloom as blacksmith Will Turner who vies for Elizabeth's affection with the Jack Davenports snobbish Cmdr. Norrington. Of course there are no prizes for guessing who will win out in the end. One reviewer commented on the movie playing out like a wild Halloween party on the high seas. While this is true of many of the scenes in this movie there are some quiet moments and more traditional action movie moments to imbue this flick with a comfortable sense of familiarity for any of those who grew up watching the pirate adventures of yesteryear on Saturday afternoon television. It's a great ride and wonderful news that a sequel is currently in the works. Although a three-disc edition of this movie is upcoming in November I opted for this 2-disc set and was mightily impressed by the special features. Aside from the slight disappointment noted at the beginning of this review, I relished the extensive background into the history of pirates. As a person longtime fascinated with the role of these high seas rogues I found the information both fascinating and enjoyable. I also quite liked the 40-minute making of... documentary that included interviews with most of the principal actors (yes including Knightley) and a look at how many of the visual effects and computer effects were created. Together with a selection of deleted and extended scenes and blooper reel, the decision on if to purchase this or wait for the 3-disc set is purely a judgement call on how many features you want. But I can vouch that this 2-disc set will leave you truly satisfied - aside from the Knightley/Davenport commentary.

Good family movie

One of the best adventure movies ever made. The story is exciting, the characters are unforgettable, and the action keeps you entertained from beginning to end. Johnny Depp’s performance is outstanding, and the special effects still hold up very well. A movie I can watch again and again.”

The movie itself is fantastic, but it's truly annoying that Prime doesn't show the stinger after the credits.

When it comes to adventure movies with a dash of supernatural elements, few films have captured the public's imagination quite like "Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl." Released in 2003, the movie, directed by Gore Verbinski and starring Johnny Depp, Orlando Bloom, and Keira Knightley, offered a perfect blend of action, humor, and suspense. Here's what makes this film a modern classic: A Unique and Engaging Story: Set against the backdrop of the Caribbean Sea in the Golden Age of Piracy, the film weaves an enthralling tale of cursed pirates, hidden treasure, and a damsel who's not so in distress. The plot is well-paced, giving room for both action and drama, making it a fulfilling watch. Memorable Characters: Johnny Depp's portrayal of Captain Jack Sparrow is iconic for a reason. His quirky mannerisms, comedic timing, and magnetic screen presence make Sparrow a character for the ages. Orlando Bloom as Will Turner and Keira Knightley as Elizabeth Swann add depth and heart to the film, offering more than just sidekick roles. Cinematography and Special Effects: The visual elements are astounding for their time and have aged remarkably well. From the ghostly appearances of the cursed pirates to the stunning sea battles, the special effects complement the story without overwhelming it. Score and Soundtrack: Composer Hans Zimmer's score adds a grandiose touch, underlining key moments and contributing to the movie's larger-than-life feel. The soundtrack remains one of the most recognizable and enduring aspects of the film. Humor and Wit: One of the standout features is the film's humor. Sparrow's one-liners, the clever repartee, and the comic relief provided by side characters all contribute to making this a genuinely entertaining experience. My Opinion: In my view, "The Curse of the Black Pearl" successfully modernized the pirate genre for a new generation while staying true to its adventurous roots. It took risks with its storytelling and character development that paid off incredibly well, resulting in a franchise that has stood the test of time. Would I recommend this film? Without a doubt. Whether you're a fan of adventure films, pirate lore, or just looking for a highly entertaining movie, "The Curse of the Black Pearl" ticks all the boxes. In summary, "Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl" remains an exceptional adventure film that masterfully combines humor, action, and supernatural elements into an unforgettable cinematic experience. With stellar performances, impressive visuals, and a compelling storyline, it stands as a high-water mark in the adventure genre.

I'll have to admit that I'm substance over style when it comes to movies. In fact, I didn't even hesitate refusing this one in theaters for two reasons: 1) It's a Disney flick, so there's always the threat of syrupy goodness through morals, bubbly yet not funny gags (which were prevalent in the previews that also made the movie seem a bit unoriginal), and characters who have a better chance of being remembered by infants, who have imaginations so vivid that poor CGI and a weak story is a stroke of genius(if you take into account Disney's other works that came out around this time, then you'd know that this reason is true, except Pixar, b-cuz those movies are Pixar productions through Disney distribution and therefore don't count). 2)Actors starring in POTC provoked suspicion: Johnny Depp= chick magnet/acceptable by males b-cuz they most likely haven't watched that teen-soap he starred in, but has seen his other performances that has earned him a cool actor pass (the coolness right below Deniro, Pacino, Hopkins, etc...) Orlando Bloom= chick magnet/unacceptable by males because he really hasn't paid any dues as far as showing any real talent and is only in this movie because he's a chick magnet before being a 1/3rd decent actor. So I guess it's fair to say that my reasons are only from the outside looking in rather than looking into it and judging when I get outside. It wasn't until I stumbled upon it while my relentlessly renting father rented a bunch of new movies and I caught him watching it. After watching it halfway through to the end, then watching from the beginning to the end, then watching it all over again, I realized I was almost a closed-minded fool. I won't be rushing to the next Johnny Depp/Orlando Bloom colaboration or anything, but if they're recurring the roles for another POTC, then I'm definitely down for it! This movie was a good peice of work. Screw the fact that this was "historically inaccurate and that pirates raped, killed, and stood as a symbol of selfishness" (which, in fact, isn't really historically accurate to all pirates, but that's another discussion)...this was a highly entertaining movie. It's an adventure as big as Indiana Jones with lush environments, situational action sequences and gags that are inventive, and small intriguing plot twists that both make sense and save a character at the same time. If that's not enough, Geoffrey Rush (probably the only reason I would see the movie, but wasn't enough to make me risk a night of debauchery to watch it) is the antagonist who retains that brash arrogance yet animalistic flair that makes him cool to watch. Orlando Bloom, while a chick magnet, is likeable in that he is treated like a newbie (synonymous with my statement of his acting experience) and is hazed, or punked, pretty regularly by Depp, who (here's the interesting part) uses a coherent variation of his character in Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, which is infectious and captivating to the point where you forget about who plays the character and you instantly think he's a good antihero. It's also at a good length. I've always considered good movies at 120 minutes +, a decent expenditure. So yes, this movie is worth buying as long as you can accept that it's meant to be an excerise in entertaining everyone, then even the most hardcore of masculine movie-buffs will enjoy this as a guilty pleasure. I gave it four stars because, like I said, it attempts and succeeds to entertain everybody. So there is love and hope and rare sappy one-liners that are sooo not the reason why I enjoyed it that I'm sure any self-respecting man would be hesitant to suggest it as a viable selection to those among his brethren who haven't seen it without proving that he's borderline gay.

Great family movie

Enjoyed watching again after many years. Depp is priceless! I believe he truly was inspired by Keith Richards! 😂

Excelente produto e custo-benefício. Chegou na data certa, sem contratempos na embalagem e conteúdo.

Es una excelente película, con una excelente mejora de audio y vídeo recomendable para los fans de piratas del caribe.

Great transfer. Unreal that it looks better than the low quality 4k version.

Story (4) Die Walt Disney-Studios hatten sich diesen Piratenfilm wahrlich etwas kosten lassen, stolze 140 Millionen Dollar wurden in die Produktion gesteckt. Ein grosses Budget ist jedoch nur selten ein Garant für einen guten Film – für einmal hat es jedoch eindrücklich geklappt, denn „Fluch der Karibik“ ist ein rasant und abwechslungsreich inszenierter Piratenfilm, der jedem Fan dieses Genres gefallen dürfte. In der Tat ist es eindrücklich, mit welchem Aufwand Regisseur Gore Verbinski und sein Team hier zu Werke gingen. Um ein möglichst authentisches Bild zu vermitteln, wurde grösstenteils in der Karibik, auf der Insel Saint Vincent gedreht. Dort wurden mit viel Akribie die Kulissen für Port Royal aufgebaut. Ebenso aufwändig waren die Szenen mit den alten Segelschiffen, die zum Teil für diesen Film umgebaut werden mussten. Die schönsten Kulissen nützen jedoch nichts, wenn der Cast nicht stimmt – und auch hier wurde alles richtig gemacht. Während Orlando Bloom und Keira Knightley sehr überzeugend spielen, hat Johnny Depp in der Verkörperung des Captain Jack Sparrow die Rolle seines Lebens abgeliefert. Vor allem Depps Leistung ist es zu verdanken, dass dieser Streifen ein so grosser Erfolg wurde. Seine Darstellung harmoniert kongenial mit der Grundidee dieses Piratenfilmes. Eine Grundidee, die auf Selbstironie und Esprit beruht, und mit dieser Mischung eine gelungene Parodie des Piratenfilm-Genres darstellt. Zusätzlich wartet die Inszenierung mit unzähligen Anspielungen auf andere Filme auf, wie zum Beispiel den Piratenfilm „Der rote Korsar“ von 1952… Kurz und gut, ein spannender, origineller und äusserst unterhaltsamer wie auch humorvoller Piratenfilm, der das gesamte Genre Revue passieren lässt und durch seine aufwändige Inszenierung Massstäbe setzt! Bild (5) Das Bildseitenverhältnis liegt in 2.35:1 (21:9 – Neues CinemaScope-Format - Panavision) vor. Die Bildqualität bewegt sich auf sehr hohem Niveau und dies sowohl bei Nahaufnahmen wie auch Totalen. Dazu kommen ausgezeichnete Kontraste und ein exzellenter Schwarzwert. Selbst in dunklen Szenen gehen kaum Details verloren. Die Farben sind kräftig und natürlich gehalten. Ein HD-Bild, bei dem erfreulicherweise die technischen Möglichkeiten voll ausgeschöpft wurden. Ton (5) Das Tonformat liegt in DTS 5.1 vor. Die Tonumsetzung kann ebenfalls überzeugen. Die Surroundabmischung ist äusserst gut gelungen, und es entsteht eine beeindruckende Räumlichkeit. Auf den Surround-Lautsprechern sind viele Effekte zu hören – der mitreissende Soundtrack zieht den Zuschauer mitten ins Geschehen hinein. Die Dynamik ist hervorragend, und auch die Tonbalance ausgewogen und stimmig. Die Dialoge sind zudem jederzeit bestens zu verstehen. Extras (3) Es gibt eine separate Blu-ray-Disc für die Extras, die ich mir jedoch nicht angesehen habe. Ein WendeCover ist leider nicht vorhanden! Fazit: Für Fans von gut gemachten Abenteuerfilmen und Johnny Depp ein Pflichtkauf! Die technische Umsetzung der Blu-ray ist zudem auf Top-Niveau – kann ich weiterempfehlen!

El inicio de una excelente saga, las grandes actuaciones de Deep y Bloom, excelente calidad de imagen y version de 3 discos y a un excelente precio.