Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl

The film that made Johnny Depp a true star, a film that showed that pirate movies are definitely not passé and that Disney still has something to offer to a wide audience. It’s fun, action-packed, and imaginative, with great characters, and surprisingly, it doesn't get boring even after multiple viewings. True, I already know the story too well, but it's still a thrilling ride. (12/04/2015)

Definitely the most comprehensive, logically independent, and best installment (by a wide margin) of the series. Gore Verbinski, under Jerry Bruckheimer's supervision, accomplished everything he could, especially in terms of actors. Orlando Bloom gets by just by playing himself as an innocent blacksmith, Keira Knightley is traditionally captivating, Geoffrey Rush is appropriately slimy, and Johnny Depp's performance has already become iconic after just a few weeks. A perfect example of an entertaining adventure film that can be watched over and over again. (30/05/2007)

Disney was obviously flaunting their budget. Despite a few flaws, I had fun watching the film and I wasn’t bored even on a rewatch. Johnny Depp was brilliant as a bisexual pirate; Geoffrey Rush was charmingly half-mad, and I also liked the performance of my favorite Jonathan Pryce. On a more negative note, Orlando Bloom kept looking like the winner of a staring contest and his Will Turner turned out to be the least likable character in the whole film. Keira Knightley’s had better roles and her acting has been better, too. The humor in some scenes felt a bit forced and intended for cheap laughs. Then I realized who Disney make their films for, I eased up on the criticism and the fourth star was saved, so a happy ending after all. (12/12/2016)

Concentrated, clean, and excellent entertainment that really has very few weak points. Verbinski managed to revive the pirate genre and the attraction of Disneyland in a single movie. The truth is that he really had the support of Jerry Bruckheimer (thanks for Keira, Jerry :), ILM and especially Johnny Depp, who captivated everyone with his now-well-worn creation: Jack Sparrow, “The Worst Pirate You've Ever Heard of". Part two is knocking on the door of our old, dusty, small-town movie theatre. I couldn't go there without watching the first movie again. (05/09/2006)

A routine story framework decked out with great jokes and excellent effects. The Curse of the Black Pearl is charming yet dull Hollywood entertainment that’s hindered by its exceedingly long runtime, though the excellent Johnny Depp elevates it from time to time. (16/07/2003)