There is always a place in one’s heart for indie film, especially as that’s where films most likely to be relevant to our community tend to hang out. But sometimes it’s sheer joy just to go and watch the big studios give film making all they’ve got. The third in the Pirates of the Caribbean series, At World’s End is one of those films.
Hilarious hideous costumes are a real highlight of the film, and the eye candy isn’t bad either – Orlando Bloom, Keira Knightly and Johnny Depp sweeten the screen. Since she made our hearts beat faster in Bend it Like Beckham, it’s always been a pleasure to watch Keira Knightly swashbuckling her way through anything. And swashbuckle she does, as the feisty, if nauseatingly earnest, Elizabeth Swann. Partner in ‘nice and earnest’ is the also delectable William Turner (Orlando Bloom).
Welcome contrast to the pair is provided by scene stealers Geoffrey Rush and Johnny Depp who relish their cantankerous roles as bickering, backstabbing pirate lords. Snaps as well to James Davenport who, as Admiral Norrington, has the kind of snooty arrogance that has you itching to use him for cannon ball target practice yourself. Keep a weather eye out too for a cameo from Keith Richards.
At the heart of the film is a couple of love stories, rounded out with an obligatory though somewhat tumultous wedding. And I thought it was just gay and lesbian people who had a hard time getting hitched… The love stories aren’t all predictable though, thwarted passion and one very crabby woman scorned are a lovely break from the sap.
It’s interesting to see an American film where the British are the enemy – the usual stereotypical Hollywood villains appropriated from the Cold War or the War on Terror momentarily displaced by those of the War of Independence. Maybe that’s because still lurking deep in the hearts of the landlubbers of the post-colonial nations is a feral desire for the British Empire to get its come-uppance. Like loathing Collingwood, it must just be one of those things you’re born with. ‘Pirates’ takes mighty advantage of historical, geographical and cultural details, but for some obviously ancestral reason watching a bunch of wise-cracking rogues pound the mighty British colonial force to a pulp really is awfully satisfying.
‘Pirates of the Carribean – To the Ends of the Earth’ is one mother of a franchise with more tentacles out than Davy Jones’ face, and will be everywhere for a while, but it is worth appreciating the spectacular settings, lavish costumes and special effects on the big screen rather than DVD. They’ve thrown millions at satisfying your bloodthirsty inner child and gee it works for a bit – til you get home and start sword fights at home….find yourself climbing the rigging at the local children’s playground…..pretending your dog’s really a ship’s monkey and you realise there’s gotta be a sequel soon, and you want it NOW.
With the popularity of a filmatic juggernaut like Pirates, there’s a huge demand for bootlegged copies. Funnily enough whilst the production company is a big fan of Pirates, in an effort to stamp out piracy, the Admiralty promise to keel haul the kind of pirates who illegally copy the film. Apparently Perth is a pirate’s den, so if that’s you, watch out – with special built-in security features for this film, you’d be better off containing your piratical tendencies to the high seas.
Warning to all – it’s a long film, nearly 3 hours, and you’ll be needing the really big popcorn. Don’t be running out before the credits are over either. Or like this idiot here you’ll miss out and have to go see the end all over again…..
Over the top? yes. Really quite silly? yes. But fun? yes, Yes, YES!
