Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest (2006)

Director:

Gore Verbinski

Writers (WGA):

Ted Elliott (written by) &
Terry Rossio (written by) ...

Release Date:

7 July 2006 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Adventure | Comedy | Fantasy

Plot:

Jack Sparrow races to recover the heart of Davy Jones to avoid enslaving his soul to Jones' service, as other friends and foes seek the heart for their own agenda as well.

Plot Keywords:

East Indian Company | Underwater | Pigsty | Sea Captain | Old Flame

Awards:

Won Oscar. Another 29 wins & 34 nominations

Cast

Johnny Depp	...	Jack Sparrow
Orlando Bloom	...	Will Turner
Keira Knightley	...	Elizabeth Swann
Jack Davenport	...	Norrington
Bill Nighy	...	Davy Jones
Jonathan Pryce	...	Governor Weatherby Swann
Lee Arenberg	...	Pintel
Mackenzie Crook	...	Ragetti
Kevin McNally	...	Gibbs (as Kevin R. McNally)
David Bailie	...	Cotton
Stellan Skarsgård	...	Bootstrap Bill
Tom Hollander	...	Cutler Beckett
Naomie Harris	...	Tia Dalma
Martin Klebba	...	Marty
David Schofield	...	Mercer

Also Known As:

P.O.T.C. 2 (USA) (promotional abbreviation)
Pirates 2 (USA) (informal short title)
Pirates of the Caribbean 2 (USA) (working title)

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of adventure violence, including frightening images.

Runtime:

150 min

Country:

USA

Language:

Turkish | English | Greek

Colour:

Colour

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

SDDS | DTS | Dolby Digital

Certification:

Portugal:M/12 | USA:PG-13 (certificate #42793) | Netherlands:12 | Peru:PT | Switzerland:12 (canton of Geneva) | South Korea:12 | Finland:K-11 | Australia:M | Hungary:14 | Sweden:11 | Hong Kong:IIA | Malaysia:U | Spain:7 | UK:12A | Switzerland:12 (canton of Vaud) | Ireland:12A | Germany:12 | South Africa:10V | Philippines:G | Norway:11 | Brazil:12 | Singapore:PG | Philippines:PG-13 | Greece:K-13 | Argentina:13 | USA:PG-13 | Italy:T

Filming Locations:

Bahamas

Company:

Jerry Bruckheimer Films

Trivia:

WILHELM SCREAM: Heard when the Kraken attacks the Royal Navy ship after Will escapes the crew.

Goofs:

Continuity: Every time it is raining, the characters' faces are dry in close up shots. When the camera pulls back, the body is drenched as it should be in a heavy rain storm.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Elizabeth Swann: Will! Why is this happening?
Will Turner: I don't know. You look beautiful.
Elizabeth Swann: I think it's bad luck for the groom to see the bride before the wedding.

Movie Connections:

References Buono, il brutto, il cattivo, Il (1966)

Soundtrack:

Two Hornpipes

More than equals its predecessor.

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest does the right thing as a sequel: It maintains the same carefree spirit of the original and creates an even more fitting story to the whole Pirates lore. After narrowly escaping the gallows--with the help of his friends Will Turner (Orlando Bloom) and Elizabeth Swann (Keira Knightley)--and reclaiming his cursed Black Pearl, it still seems Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) has a few more fish to fry. More specifically the barnacle-encrusted undead on board the ghostly Flying Dutchman, lead by Mr. Octopus Face himself, Davy Jones (Bill Nighy). Jack apparently owes a blood debt to the inky captain and if he can't find a way out of it--namely locating the secret contents of Jones' famed locker--Sparrow will be doomed to eternal damnation and servitude in the afterlife (insert Jack Sparrow's face of disgust here). Making matters worse, Sparrow's problems manage to interfere with the wedding plans of Will and Elizabeth, who are forced to join Jack on yet another one of his misadventures.

Depp's Oscar-nominated performance as Captain Jack is still a marvel in slovenly pirate behavior, with his slurred speech, swaying swagger and slack, waving arms. But whether channeling famed Rolling Stones' guitarist Keith Richards or not, it's the duality of the character that continues to intrigue us. He is a lusty, fearless man with a deeply defiant and somewhat sneaky streak but whose delicate features, long, dread locked hair, Kohl-rimmed eyes and almost girly mannerisms give him a subtly effeminate air that belies his macho antics. This time around, young Brits Knightley and Bloom have a little more to do, with Elizabeth's growing attraction to Jack and Will's reunion with his father, Bill "Bootstrap" Turner (Stellan Skarsgård), who's soul is stuck on the Flying Dutchman. And Nighy (Love Actually) once again makes his mark as an effective villain, infusing his rather quirky acting ticks--the laconic delivery, the laid-back attitude--which shines through all the special effects make-up. Let's just say, Nighy certainly rivals Depp in the arrogant rock star stance, even if he has tentacles for a face.

The other thing Dead Man's Chest does right is make things bigger and better. From a hair-raising sword fight on top of a spinning water wheel to the way Davy Jones and his crew look--all water logged and crustacean-like--the film's production value is simply amazing. Returning producer Jerry Bruckheimer and director Gore Verbinski make sure the action sequences, the sets, the costumes, the make-up and the special effects give the audience a familiarity to the original while also taking them on a whole new adventure. And if you are a fan of the Disney park attraction (the one at Disneyland, not Disney World), the elements that got missed in the first one--the creepy bayou, the beating heart in the treasure chest--are in this sequel. Dead Man's Chest does lag a bit from time to time, especially in heating up the Jack, Elizabeth and Will love triangle. But that's OK. We enjoy watching their banter, as much as we do the rest of it. And for those who'll want more adventure after the movie ends, Dead Man's Chest gives us a promise the third installment will be just as much pirate fun.

9/10