Pirates Of The Caribbean: At World's End
Director: Gore Verbinski
Rated: M
Now Screening


At World's End picks up right where Pirates 2' left off, with a resurrected Captain Barbossa (Geoffrey Rush) gathering a new crew to rescue Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) from Davy Jones' Locker. The journey to the netherworld is just the tip of the seafaring iceberg as Will Turner (Orlando Bloom), Elizabeth Swann (Keira Knightley) and company battle it out with a fleet of pirates in an ultimate conquest of the mighty seven seas.

It seems the case when a trilogy reaches the final chapter that the well of ideas start to run dry. Whilst the previous 'Pirates...' films delivered plenty of bangs for the movie bucks, '... At World's End' offers up firecrackers instead. The salty characters are in abundance, as usual, but for the first time in the series they seem to play second fiddle to the opulent special effects. The effects are certainly spectacular, but what made the series enjoyable was the zesty fun and interplay of its participants. Less care seems to have been taken on the script, which appears to rest on the laurels of the previous films.

By top and tailing the film with action, the film exposes a rambling mid section giving time to ponder various plot holes. Whilst previous films had their problems, these weren't as noticeable due to the almost non stop action. '... At World's End's heavy exposition saps the energy and fun from what should have the best film of the series. With so little action, the film seems like an ordeal to watch at times, with the constant double cross and twists muddying the already murky plot waters. The film still maintains the visual excitement of its predecessors however, successfully re-capturing the fairy tale element within.

What saves the film from being a complete disaster are the performances. Johnny Depp still has the manic energy that has made his anti-hero so popular; Knightly and Bloom make for effective romantic leads, with Bill Nighy once again hamming it up outrageously as Davy Jones. Geoffrey Rush steals the film from everyone else as a very fruity Barbossa. Rush shines whenever he appears thus providing a much needed fun element in an otherwise dull film. A memorable cameo by the old seadog himself, Keith Richards, works a treat, showing Jack Sparrow a few new tricks.

Third time isn't necessarily the charm as '... At World's End' docks at the port a clapped out vessel. The series deserved a fine send off with great performances not matched by the promised action, which takes forever to arrive. Despite claims this is the end of the road, the film does leave enough threads hanging for further adventures. When - and not if - the series returns, hopefully there is a renewed spring in its finely heeled pirate boots.

Patrick Moore