Originally Posted By u k fan Ok, so thanks to my brother who works for a cinema chain I managed to get into a press screening for POTC:AWE this evening. It's my aim to keep this spoiler free so as not to ruin anyone's enjoyment, but I may say something that you may consider a spoiler so if you're really worried then proceed with caution! Where to start, straight of the bat I will say that this movie is better than DMC and on a par, if not better than CotBP. Them's fighting talk so here are a few reasons why. Firstly, while there are still a heck of a lot of plot points and Piratey deals to be done this movie is less complicated than the last one. Most likely because here the aim is to wrap up the story and not set it up. Also while Captain Jack Sparrow provides a small armada of comedic moments, don't expect the Wile E Coyote style pratfalls of the last flick. There are enough great supporting characters that they all get to have their moment to make us laugh, Jack gets to be funny in a different way this time. To mention a few things that we all love about the POTC movie, there are a couple of really nice references to the attraction (maybe some of the best). The music is excellent as always, I'll be buying the soundtrack album I'm sure. Also, Jack's entrance was at first a bit of a let down after his two great entrances in the previous films. This one seemed to be an anti-climax, but this was quickly resolved 5 minutes later. I think the opening to this movie is probably my favorite, forget Elizabeth meeting Will, forget last year's wedding. They pale in insignificance compared to the first scene of this movie. I wouldn't be surprised if this scene, and one other notable moment, helped towards the PG13 rating. Acting wise, it was nice to see Naomie Harris have more to do, she is brilliantly understated as Tia Dalma and has a beautiful scene that I won't mention. Bill Nighy is also excellent as he shows the softer side of the squid along with the harder husk of the halibut(?). Geoffrey Rush just chews through the scenery so much I was worried that his rotting teeth wouldn't stand it. He's great in this. He has such an enthuisiasm for it all. There are also nice moments from Jonathon Pryce and, in particular, Jack Davenport, but my top honors go to Tom Hollander (my new hero) for one amazing scene. I want to grow up to be him. You'll know the scene when it happens! Keith Richards is fab! As an actor he's a great musician and I don't hear the academy calling, but he shows up just at the right moment to give you something to focus on when the plot needs it. The Pirate lords are kind of wasted, but I would love to see more of their adventures, maybe not as movies but elsewhere for sure. The effects are amazing. This really is on a par with the LOTR trilogy is size and stature, but this has the added charm of having all of that on a movie that's just for fun. Very rarely did I find myself thinking "these effects are great" yet they trully are. What else, it was nice to see a few old faces back, one of which who I wasn't sure would be back holds the key to something pretty cool. Even a couple of personal faves from CotBP were present and correct. There are a handful of things from CotBP that are integrated into the plot here as well and it's cool that they did that. The movie is a long one, but didn't feel it. The time flew by. There are a couple of wasted moments as in things we don't see, but we don't need to see them in order for the plot to advance, it's just a shame we don't see them. I'm guessing we may have if the film wasn't already nearing 3 hours long! In case you're wondering things have been left open, but all but one of the characters gets the resolution to their plot arc that they deserve. If there ever was a fourth movie I would like to see more of that character, but somehow I'm not sure we would. I didn't get to stay to the end of the credits so I can't help there, sorry! I don't really know what else to say. It's a great movie and I can't wait to see it again on Thursday. If anyone has any questions feel free to ask and if need be we can start a spoiler thread!!!
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Oh man Kiz, you really have me salivating now! Thanks for the awesome review.
Originally Posted By DianaSparrow Thanks for the great review! My anticipation for this movie is growing each day!
Originally Posted By DAR Very good review UK Fan. I'm hearing that the tone of the film is very dark, any truth to this?
Originally Posted By u k fan It is dark, but I don't know if I'd say it was much darker than DMC storywise. As I said in my review the humor here is less cartoony which perhaps doesn't help to balance out those darker moments as they did in DMC. This is certainly the most serious threat anyone has faced yet. That first scene I mentioned spells it out loud and clear and is not what you would expect from a Walt Disney Pictures movie. It certainly stands out and is almost a live action equivalent to the opening of Finding Nemo not in what happens, but in tone. The difference here is that the film-makers don't need to suddenly make everything ok for the kiddies and indeed want to keep that same threat present throughout the movie. We need to know that this time our "heroes" really are in peril. This makes the threat in CotBP look like a schoolyard squabble. I have more to say about how it ends, but don't want to spoil things for anyone. Sorry if I rambled a bit, but without being able to reference certain scenes I think this is the best I can do!!!
Originally Posted By bloona Oh brilliant review , I cant wait to see it. Might be a bit much for my Kieran though do you think? (he is 11)
Originally Posted By u k fan I'll be taking Emerson (10) to see it tomorrow. There's only one moment that I'm too concerned about and it is brief. If he was fine with DMC then, IMHO, he'll be fine with this!!!
Originally Posted By jasmine7 Oh, this has me even more excited to see it. Already have my ticket for 8:30pm tomorrow night!
Originally Posted By u k fan I hope you all agree with my review when you've seen it otherwise I'm going to look very silly! I can't wait until tomorrow so a) I can see it again and b) we can start dissecting the movie properly!!!
Originally Posted By Liberty Belle I saw it last night and agree with you, uk fan! I really enjoyed it - I saw it with my parents, mum said it was her favourite of the three, dad and I preferred it to DMC (although I've really enjoyed all of them, this one just had more of a feeling of finality). I can't really add much more than what you've said - without using spoilers - but I thought it was really nicely done. I liked Elizabeth much more in this movie than the other two, and although it was definitely less funny than the other movies, it had enough fight scenes to more than make up for it!
Originally Posted By jasmine7 Chalk up another who agrees with you, uk fan. I just got home from seeing it, and I loved it. I don't think the plot was that complicated (ooh, a movie that makes ya pay attention and think, gasp! ;-), and I think this one made me laugh the most out of all of them. I think this one has become my favorite of the trilogy.
Originally Posted By Inspector 57 u k fan, I thank you for your wonderful review -- even though (a) I'm dying for you to expound on a few points and (b) I did not care for AWE. Questions for you (that you can maybe answer elsewhere): What were the attraction references? (I only noticed one new one and one old one.) What was Tom Hollander's scene that impressed you so much? <<I wouldn't be surprised if this scene, and one other notable moment, helped towards the PG13 rating.>> Which notable moment? <<There are a couple of wasted moments as in things we don't see, but we don't need to see them in order for the plot to advance, it's just a shame we don't see them.>> Curious as to what you mean here! I disagree with you on: <<I think the opening to this movie is probably my favorite>> I found it a bit much. <<The music is excellent as always>> There were a couple times when I thought it sounded too modern. It jarred me. <<all but one of the characters gets the resolution to their plot arc that they deserve>> Mmmmm... I can think of three characters who I think could have gotten a fairer dose of fate. I agree with you on: Everything else! BTW -- sorry! -- the post-credits scene conveys meaningful information. Thanks again, u k fan! Great observations!
Originally Posted By u k fan Inspector, I did get to see the post credit scene last night - very interesting! I'll find a thread with spoilers allowed and answer your questions, but I might have to do it later as I'm at work and I've already had 2 half days this week thanks to Pirates!!!
Originally Posted By Liberty Belle Dang!! I missed the post-credit bit too -- I wanted to wait, but mum and dad wanted to go. Last time I listen to THEM ...
Originally Posted By Dlmusic The post credit scene is huge importance, I'm sure it was part of the original cut of the movie at some point. It's even more important if you listen very carefully to what Tia Dalma says and how the crew escaped Davy Jones' locker.
Originally Posted By mousegrl <<It's even more important if you listen very carefully to what Tia Dalma says and how the crew escaped Davy Jones' locker.>> Uggh! I NEED to watch this movie again!
Originally Posted By lesmisfan I totally agree with you on everything ukfan. i loved this movie more than the first two. and yes the first scene was awesome, i was shocked with the child though but i loved it at the same time, it conveys that no one was safe from the east india trading company. and it reminded me of les mis as well! yeah i loved the refrences to the ride, especailly SPOILER The water fall at worlds end then darkness and hearing the attraction itself!!!!
Originally Posted By Ursula Oh, lordy, did I love this movie. If they only could take out two small parts, I could die a happy woman. I felt my heartbreak last night and that's when I realized just how into these movies I am. Great job, loved it, loved it, loved it!
Originally Posted By Ursula Although I do have a problem with something in the movie and I've been trying to resolve it in my head all night long.
