This is a submission to Candice and Dionne's Tandem Write-Off! Everything that Julie713 wrote is in plain font. Everything written by Ddward is in italics. You can go to either one of Candice's or Dionne's profile page to find out about Candice and Dionne's Tandem Write-Off and how you can enter!

Pirates of the Caribbean is a great movie that the whole family can enjoy. I went with my mother, grandmother and younger cousins after it was recommended to me very strongly by my sister, Candice923. She was right: This is a terrific movie!

I thought a movie based on a ride would be stupid. Disney really proved me wrong. The story is cool: Pirates of the Caribbean is a sweeping action-adventure story set in an era when villainous pirates scavenged the Caribbean seas. This roller coaster tale teams a young man, Will Turner (Orlando Bloom from both of the Lord of the Rings movies), with an unlikely ally in rogue pirate Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp). Depp plays his role in a strange drunken, homosexual manner that works. You cannot help but wonder how he wants the audience to take Jack Sparrow, but the end result puts out a great performance for the eclectic Mr. Depp. Will and Jack must battle a band of the world's most treacherous pirates, led by the cursed Captain Barbossa (Jeffrey Rush), in order to save Elizabeth (Keira Knightley from Bend it Like Beckham), the love of Will's life. You see Will and Elizabeth were childhood friends as a result of her father's boat rescuing him from sea. He was wearing a necklace that symbolized piracy. She took it off of him so that he would not be hanged for being thought of as a pirate. He grew up to be a blacksmith and she the daughter of a politician. They both seek work to recover the lost treasure that Jack Sparrow seeks. Against improbable odds, they race towards a thrilling, climactic confrontation on the mysterious Isla de Muerta. Clashing their swords in fierce mortal combat, Will and Jack attempt to recapture The Black Pearl ship, save the British navy, and relinquish a fortune in forbidden treasure thereby lifting the curse of the Pirates of the Caribbean.

This movie is action-packed! I am really into old Errol Flynn swashbuckling movies, and Pirates of the Caribbean ranks right up there with them. The acting was great, the scenery was breathtaking, and it was a lot of fun. All of us, ranging in ages from 9 to 79, really loved this film.

The curse I will not give away, but Disney does some eye popping things with computer animation and the entire movie keeps you on the edge of your seat. This is a movie that I would not recommend for young children though. The violence is rampant and my four and seven year old were a bit frightened in some of the scenes. It is rated PG-13 for a reason. Adults should see the movie first before bringing their children to see it, but they will not be disappointed if they can tackle the sword fighting. Apparently Disney is trying to put its older attractions from their theme parts on screen so they can tear them down and make room for newer attractions. The first to be made in a movie was last year's The Country Bears which was just awful.

Next will be the Haunted Mansion in November 2003, so if you have not had a chance to view the attraction, I would hustle on down to Disneyland and/or Disneyworld to check it out before Haunted Mansion hits the big screen.



Recommended: Yes