Post by Hector Barbossa on Jun 2, 2007 13:53:55 GMT -5
For the love of all that is good in this world, don't read this and then complain about spoilers.
Here it is, my thoughts on Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End. About damn time, right? It's been out for a week, and I only now get off my lazy ass to write about it? I've seen it three times thus far, with a fourth on the horizon. This, however, is not a review. I'm far too lazy to write a review. What I'm going to do is write about my thoughts on specific moments in the film, or characters. You probably won't get much by way of 'direction' or 'recommendations'. I'm not in this to tell you to go see it. I'm just here to tell you that I have seen it.
Though, if you haven't seen it, I think I may have to beat you with something.
Alright, so. First off: I loved this movie. I loved the first one, from the start. The second one was okay. I was disappointed in the theater, but I watched it just before going to see At World's End and holy crap, did I ever love it. So time heals all wounds and, apparently, makes movies more enjoyable. At World's End is better than Dead Man's Chest. It is almost as good as Curse of the Black Pearl. I'm on the fence.
Why?
Captain Barbossa:
Hands down, my favorite character in the entire Pirates Universe. He is the epitome of Piracy. The embodiment of the word. He is a man capable of mutiny, yet capable of marrying a young couple in the middle of an epic battle. He is murderous, but his respect for the ocean is immense. He firmly believes that the sea should belong to the pirates: but it shouldn't be given to them. I think that was a grander motivation for him to free Calypso than just putting an end to the Armada.
I love the dynamic of how he treats the code. He clearly reveres it, and takes it very seriously, as he is more than versed in it. He demonstrates this in the first movie, each time he bends the code to his whim. It's reiterated in the third, during the Brethren Court. It's because he's the greatest pirate ever written. As important as the code is, his own sensibilities and devious nature allows him to justifiably find loopholes or work arounds. He can stage a mutiny, and send a naysayer to the depths strapped to a canon, while at the same time never losing that sense that he has some incredible pride and honor in him.
The way he moves is, in a word, holycrapIthinkIjustcreamedmyself. I can watch him fight all day. No kidding. In Singapore, one of the best moments of Barbossa badassness is so small, I doubt anyone but myself noticed it. And that's okay. I've seen the movie three times. That's my excuse. It's during that raid by the East India Trading Company, and he's running towards a bridge. Some loser cuts him off and he attacks the pitiful fool viciously, flinging him over his back and into the water below, bellowing 'get out of my way!'. That's not the greatest bit, though, I do love his fighting style. No, no. The coolest bit, the greatest example of how awesome his movements truly are, is when he leaps backwards towards the bridge. It's, literally, like a second long.
Best. Second. Ever.
He's got this strength to his walk. This wide stride, shoulders back, head high. He's got this amazing pair of... eyes. Eyes. Ignore that 'boon' scene. We're not talking about that. His eyes. They're particularly amazing when he's speaking to Calypso, before she goes all Crabby. -rim shot- He's staring up at her, and suddenly you realize the sky is as brilliant as his eyes. Not the other way around. Good lord.
I all but peed myself on his first line. Elizabeth Swann singing her way down a river, only to find angry pirates waiting for her at the dock. The pirate of Singapore informs her that it's dangerous to sing that song if you don't know what it means. Especially if you're alone. A woman alone.
CUE BARBOSSA.
CUE WICKED FALLING OUT OF SEAT.
Yeah. Badass.
I could go on and on about him, and I'll probably go back to him, but yeah. I'm pretty much in love with him.
Jack Sparrow
Since the movie was ABOUT him, I suppose I should talk some Sparrow now. I'm not anti-Jack Sparrow. In fact, I think he's an entertaining character and that Johnny Depp is a fucking genius. Not Geoffrey Rush, mind you, but still amazing.
Still. I did not need that Davy Jones' Locker scene. You know the one. Tons of Jack Sparrows being every one and every thing on a pirate crew? A chicken, but not a goat. Hmm. I love his tattoos, and as I've been curious to see the extent of them I'm glad he was shirtless. But that scene was clearly fanservice. I've zoned out/played Pokemon on my DS these last two trips to the theater during that scene.
Speaking of that scene... did anyone notice that there WAS wind? I mean. It bothers me so much! Here he is, giving this thing about how there's no wind, and he'd give anything for some wind, and yet you can see his hair fluttering in what I can only assume is wind. Unless a rock crab was speeding by him at that moment, but how the thing got that close to him, I don't know.
That said, Sparrow's character has not changed, and the consistency to his thought and speech patterns is charmingly fantastic. I am pissed that they kept the 'mini' Sparrows around, after he is rescued from the Locker. It would be just as reasonable for him to be talking to himself. And the peanut thing? Cute with Barbossa feeding Jack the Monkey one in the end, but I thought it was a bit contrived. They were clearly TRYING to make something, and they did, and now every one is going to think it's THEIR peanut.
Thanks for that. That won't get as annoying as the 'my jar of dirt' thing over here in Internet Land.
But let's talk, I know this will be a surprise for anyone still reading this, about Barbossa and Jack. No, I'm not going to start shipping them. One: I'm not a fan of Pirate slash. Two: Barbossa loves no one. Or if he does, it's not the kind of love you and I relate to. He is a true pirate after all. He simply knows better than that, and has already given his heart to the ocean.
Anyway, I get the feeling that when Jack and Barbossa were on the Pearl together, before the mutiny, they were friends. Not best friends, maybe, but pretty good ones. There must have been this level of trust between them, because of the way they banter back and forth so effortlessly. Despite the way they apparently hate each other, they have this incredible dynamic about them that I honestly struggle to find words for. It's like they still trust each other, in a way, and know each other well. There are moments where they bicker like my best friend and I do, only we're not pretending to be serious about it. We know we're kidding. And then there was that moment with the Kraken. I was so dumb struck by how much weight a well written, simple conversation can carry. They just spoke. No actions, no distractions. It was one of the most engrossing, most thought provoking moments in the movie. Not because what they were saying was profound, but that it let us in to their past, to their relationship, and to each of their minds individually.
It was incredible. At least for me.
James Norrington:
-ahem-
NooooooooOOOOOOOOOOOOOoooooooooooooooooOOOOOOOOOooooooooooooooooo
Why? He didn't have to die. Here is a man that has been struggling with himself for three movies, trying to decide what team to fight for, and where he belongs. In Curse of the Black Pearl he is a part of the royal navy, fighting for his country. In the end, however, he gives Jack Sparrow and the Black Pearl a 'one day head start'. Dead Man's Chest alludes to the fact that Norrington was loyal to his promise to hunt Sparrow down, until a storm he, in his blind desire, tried to sail through and apparently met a bad end. After that he resigned, became a drunken loser wandering around in the remains of his uniform. He signs up with Jack, pines for Elizabeth, battles with them on the island where they find the Chest, and then steals the heart to give it to Beckett.
Norrington in a nut shell? Not really. Because even though it seems he's been true to one line of thought, to battle pirates, he has faced moral and personal conflictions through it all. He should have gone straight after the Pearl. He shouldn't have resigned his commission in his own disgrace. He should NOT have let Elizabeth escape the Flying Dutchman.
Why not? Because then he wouldn't have died. Damn you, Bootstrap! Though, his moment with Davy Jones was awesome. What a way to go out. I don't know if you know this, but stabbing someone through the shoulder, particularly someone who is not of human anatomy, takes a bit of strength. Norrington did it with a PIKE STICKING THROUGH HIM.
And then half an hour later Will is Captain of the Flying Dutchman and all the servants go free. Shoot. Hindsight is 20/20, I guess. Not that Norrington has it, per se, being... dead and all. But as an audience member, I couldn't help but think 'what if he HAD BEEN afraid of death? Then he wouldn't... be... dead...'
Norrington had an interesting story. More so now that I know it complete, and I'm not so adamant that they destroyed his character. The third movie 'fixes' what the second 'broke', and looking at it over all, I think it works. His resolution just came too fast, and it was sad. I mean, how many people have to die after kissing Elizabeth? Geez.
Davy Jones:
Most. Tortured. Being. Ever.
Bill Nighy is incredible. He's eyes and voice, and he's incredible. There's something amazing in how real Davy Jones is. A computer was doing some of the best acting I've seen in ages. I mean, besides Barbossa, Davy Jones was the most well written, developed and portrayed characters in the movie. He was just short changed with his death scene, and how little air time he had while working for the East India Trading Company.
Sure, his romance with Calypso was a bit phoned in, but who didn't see it coming? And it doesn't take away from how utterly crushing it was to hear him say 'my heart will always belong to you' when he visited her in the brig. That scene was amazing. Seeing Davy as a human was worth the money I paid for the ticket, I swear. I was giddy happy at the sight of his tentacles receding, and I couldn't have been more pleased with how they portrayed him.
I'm a fan of small moments. I've already mentioned a couple, and I'll doubtless mention a number more. How about when Davy Jones catches Sao Feng's ship and Norrington has found that Elizabeth is on the ship. Jones walks up to them as they're staring at each other, demanding to find the Captain. The Singapore Pirates quickly point to Elizabeth, and Jones looks almost tickled by the idea, confused, disbelieving and amused. He says 'Captain?' with the best tone. It's wonderful. It's PERFECT.
And how about that Cowboy showdown on the tiny spit of land? He was standing in BUCKETS OF WATER. And then all the close ups of their faces as the three from the Pearl approached (Barbossa looking PARTICULARLY cool). Davy arches his eyebrow, classic Clint Eastwood. Hilarious.
Hey, why don't Will and Elizabeth fix up some sort of bucket system? A bit more refined than the one Jones used, sure, but if that worked for him I don't see why it wouldn't work for Will.
As I've mentioned, I wasn't impressed by his death. It just... happened and, as my twin points out so adamantly, there was no real closure between the two battling lovers. Their tortured hearts, both so agonizingly betrayed and recklessly devoted, simply get swallowed by the maelstrom. I don't know what I would have liked to have seen, but him saying 'Calypso' before falling from the ship was not it. At least his hat came off.
Apparently Barbossa's hat is glued to his head.
Now that I've brought Barbossa back into my write up, showing off my mad segue abilities, how FREAKING AMAZING was that ship fight between the Black Pearl and the Flying Dutchman? And Barbossa at the helm, kicking ALL SORTS of ass. He had to duck out of the way of a cannon ball, and that was awesome. Those two were not just battling for the sake of the war, pirates vs. armada; they were battling for the ocean. I can't explain it, but it's there for me. That's Barbossa's motive. He's a Pirate Lord. Captain of the Black Pearl. His plan has failed and he's been betrayed, but he still fights. He is devoted to the Pearl, to the sea, and to his own personal pride and honor as a pirate. Davy Jones was a challenge to that, being the self proclaimed master of the seas. Awesome.
Did I mention I'm a firm believer that Barbossa is the true Captain of the Black Pearl? As much as Jack loves it, loves piracy, and loves the open waters, he just doesn't FIT like Barbossa does.
Oh good Lord. I'm tired of writing. To be continued! Feel free to comment. ^^ I'd love to get some conversation going. Though... I don't want to debate you on my opinions. Haha.
No, seriously. I'll kill you.
Here it is, my thoughts on Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End. About damn time, right? It's been out for a week, and I only now get off my lazy ass to write about it? I've seen it three times thus far, with a fourth on the horizon. This, however, is not a review. I'm far too lazy to write a review. What I'm going to do is write about my thoughts on specific moments in the film, or characters. You probably won't get much by way of 'direction' or 'recommendations'. I'm not in this to tell you to go see it. I'm just here to tell you that I have seen it.
Though, if you haven't seen it, I think I may have to beat you with something.
Alright, so. First off: I loved this movie. I loved the first one, from the start. The second one was okay. I was disappointed in the theater, but I watched it just before going to see At World's End and holy crap, did I ever love it. So time heals all wounds and, apparently, makes movies more enjoyable. At World's End is better than Dead Man's Chest. It is almost as good as Curse of the Black Pearl. I'm on the fence.
Why?
Captain Barbossa:
Hands down, my favorite character in the entire Pirates Universe. He is the epitome of Piracy. The embodiment of the word. He is a man capable of mutiny, yet capable of marrying a young couple in the middle of an epic battle. He is murderous, but his respect for the ocean is immense. He firmly believes that the sea should belong to the pirates: but it shouldn't be given to them. I think that was a grander motivation for him to free Calypso than just putting an end to the Armada.
I love the dynamic of how he treats the code. He clearly reveres it, and takes it very seriously, as he is more than versed in it. He demonstrates this in the first movie, each time he bends the code to his whim. It's reiterated in the third, during the Brethren Court. It's because he's the greatest pirate ever written. As important as the code is, his own sensibilities and devious nature allows him to justifiably find loopholes or work arounds. He can stage a mutiny, and send a naysayer to the depths strapped to a canon, while at the same time never losing that sense that he has some incredible pride and honor in him.
The way he moves is, in a word, holycrapIthinkIjustcreamedmyself. I can watch him fight all day. No kidding. In Singapore, one of the best moments of Barbossa badassness is so small, I doubt anyone but myself noticed it. And that's okay. I've seen the movie three times. That's my excuse. It's during that raid by the East India Trading Company, and he's running towards a bridge. Some loser cuts him off and he attacks the pitiful fool viciously, flinging him over his back and into the water below, bellowing 'get out of my way!'. That's not the greatest bit, though, I do love his fighting style. No, no. The coolest bit, the greatest example of how awesome his movements truly are, is when he leaps backwards towards the bridge. It's, literally, like a second long.
Best. Second. Ever.
He's got this strength to his walk. This wide stride, shoulders back, head high. He's got this amazing pair of... eyes. Eyes. Ignore that 'boon' scene. We're not talking about that. His eyes. They're particularly amazing when he's speaking to Calypso, before she goes all Crabby. -rim shot- He's staring up at her, and suddenly you realize the sky is as brilliant as his eyes. Not the other way around. Good lord.
I all but peed myself on his first line. Elizabeth Swann singing her way down a river, only to find angry pirates waiting for her at the dock. The pirate of Singapore informs her that it's dangerous to sing that song if you don't know what it means. Especially if you're alone. A woman alone.
CUE BARBOSSA.
CUE WICKED FALLING OUT OF SEAT.
Yeah. Badass.
I could go on and on about him, and I'll probably go back to him, but yeah. I'm pretty much in love with him.
Jack Sparrow
Since the movie was ABOUT him, I suppose I should talk some Sparrow now. I'm not anti-Jack Sparrow. In fact, I think he's an entertaining character and that Johnny Depp is a fucking genius. Not Geoffrey Rush, mind you, but still amazing.
Still. I did not need that Davy Jones' Locker scene. You know the one. Tons of Jack Sparrows being every one and every thing on a pirate crew? A chicken, but not a goat. Hmm. I love his tattoos, and as I've been curious to see the extent of them I'm glad he was shirtless. But that scene was clearly fanservice. I've zoned out/played Pokemon on my DS these last two trips to the theater during that scene.
Speaking of that scene... did anyone notice that there WAS wind? I mean. It bothers me so much! Here he is, giving this thing about how there's no wind, and he'd give anything for some wind, and yet you can see his hair fluttering in what I can only assume is wind. Unless a rock crab was speeding by him at that moment, but how the thing got that close to him, I don't know.
That said, Sparrow's character has not changed, and the consistency to his thought and speech patterns is charmingly fantastic. I am pissed that they kept the 'mini' Sparrows around, after he is rescued from the Locker. It would be just as reasonable for him to be talking to himself. And the peanut thing? Cute with Barbossa feeding Jack the Monkey one in the end, but I thought it was a bit contrived. They were clearly TRYING to make something, and they did, and now every one is going to think it's THEIR peanut.
Thanks for that. That won't get as annoying as the 'my jar of dirt' thing over here in Internet Land.
But let's talk, I know this will be a surprise for anyone still reading this, about Barbossa and Jack. No, I'm not going to start shipping them. One: I'm not a fan of Pirate slash. Two: Barbossa loves no one. Or if he does, it's not the kind of love you and I relate to. He is a true pirate after all. He simply knows better than that, and has already given his heart to the ocean.
Anyway, I get the feeling that when Jack and Barbossa were on the Pearl together, before the mutiny, they were friends. Not best friends, maybe, but pretty good ones. There must have been this level of trust between them, because of the way they banter back and forth so effortlessly. Despite the way they apparently hate each other, they have this incredible dynamic about them that I honestly struggle to find words for. It's like they still trust each other, in a way, and know each other well. There are moments where they bicker like my best friend and I do, only we're not pretending to be serious about it. We know we're kidding. And then there was that moment with the Kraken. I was so dumb struck by how much weight a well written, simple conversation can carry. They just spoke. No actions, no distractions. It was one of the most engrossing, most thought provoking moments in the movie. Not because what they were saying was profound, but that it let us in to their past, to their relationship, and to each of their minds individually.
It was incredible. At least for me.
James Norrington:
-ahem-
NooooooooOOOOOOOOOOOOOoooooooooooooooooOOOOOOOOOooooooooooooooooo
Why? He didn't have to die. Here is a man that has been struggling with himself for three movies, trying to decide what team to fight for, and where he belongs. In Curse of the Black Pearl he is a part of the royal navy, fighting for his country. In the end, however, he gives Jack Sparrow and the Black Pearl a 'one day head start'. Dead Man's Chest alludes to the fact that Norrington was loyal to his promise to hunt Sparrow down, until a storm he, in his blind desire, tried to sail through and apparently met a bad end. After that he resigned, became a drunken loser wandering around in the remains of his uniform. He signs up with Jack, pines for Elizabeth, battles with them on the island where they find the Chest, and then steals the heart to give it to Beckett.
Norrington in a nut shell? Not really. Because even though it seems he's been true to one line of thought, to battle pirates, he has faced moral and personal conflictions through it all. He should have gone straight after the Pearl. He shouldn't have resigned his commission in his own disgrace. He should NOT have let Elizabeth escape the Flying Dutchman.
Why not? Because then he wouldn't have died. Damn you, Bootstrap! Though, his moment with Davy Jones was awesome. What a way to go out. I don't know if you know this, but stabbing someone through the shoulder, particularly someone who is not of human anatomy, takes a bit of strength. Norrington did it with a PIKE STICKING THROUGH HIM.
And then half an hour later Will is Captain of the Flying Dutchman and all the servants go free. Shoot. Hindsight is 20/20, I guess. Not that Norrington has it, per se, being... dead and all. But as an audience member, I couldn't help but think 'what if he HAD BEEN afraid of death? Then he wouldn't... be... dead...'
Norrington had an interesting story. More so now that I know it complete, and I'm not so adamant that they destroyed his character. The third movie 'fixes' what the second 'broke', and looking at it over all, I think it works. His resolution just came too fast, and it was sad. I mean, how many people have to die after kissing Elizabeth? Geez.
Davy Jones:
Most. Tortured. Being. Ever.
Bill Nighy is incredible. He's eyes and voice, and he's incredible. There's something amazing in how real Davy Jones is. A computer was doing some of the best acting I've seen in ages. I mean, besides Barbossa, Davy Jones was the most well written, developed and portrayed characters in the movie. He was just short changed with his death scene, and how little air time he had while working for the East India Trading Company.
Sure, his romance with Calypso was a bit phoned in, but who didn't see it coming? And it doesn't take away from how utterly crushing it was to hear him say 'my heart will always belong to you' when he visited her in the brig. That scene was amazing. Seeing Davy as a human was worth the money I paid for the ticket, I swear. I was giddy happy at the sight of his tentacles receding, and I couldn't have been more pleased with how they portrayed him.
I'm a fan of small moments. I've already mentioned a couple, and I'll doubtless mention a number more. How about when Davy Jones catches Sao Feng's ship and Norrington has found that Elizabeth is on the ship. Jones walks up to them as they're staring at each other, demanding to find the Captain. The Singapore Pirates quickly point to Elizabeth, and Jones looks almost tickled by the idea, confused, disbelieving and amused. He says 'Captain?' with the best tone. It's wonderful. It's PERFECT.
And how about that Cowboy showdown on the tiny spit of land? He was standing in BUCKETS OF WATER. And then all the close ups of their faces as the three from the Pearl approached (Barbossa looking PARTICULARLY cool). Davy arches his eyebrow, classic Clint Eastwood. Hilarious.
Hey, why don't Will and Elizabeth fix up some sort of bucket system? A bit more refined than the one Jones used, sure, but if that worked for him I don't see why it wouldn't work for Will.
As I've mentioned, I wasn't impressed by his death. It just... happened and, as my twin points out so adamantly, there was no real closure between the two battling lovers. Their tortured hearts, both so agonizingly betrayed and recklessly devoted, simply get swallowed by the maelstrom. I don't know what I would have liked to have seen, but him saying 'Calypso' before falling from the ship was not it. At least his hat came off.
Apparently Barbossa's hat is glued to his head.
Now that I've brought Barbossa back into my write up, showing off my mad segue abilities, how FREAKING AMAZING was that ship fight between the Black Pearl and the Flying Dutchman? And Barbossa at the helm, kicking ALL SORTS of ass. He had to duck out of the way of a cannon ball, and that was awesome. Those two were not just battling for the sake of the war, pirates vs. armada; they were battling for the ocean. I can't explain it, but it's there for me. That's Barbossa's motive. He's a Pirate Lord. Captain of the Black Pearl. His plan has failed and he's been betrayed, but he still fights. He is devoted to the Pearl, to the sea, and to his own personal pride and honor as a pirate. Davy Jones was a challenge to that, being the self proclaimed master of the seas. Awesome.
Did I mention I'm a firm believer that Barbossa is the true Captain of the Black Pearl? As much as Jack loves it, loves piracy, and loves the open waters, he just doesn't FIT like Barbossa does.
Oh good Lord. I'm tired of writing. To be continued! Feel free to comment. ^^ I'd love to get some conversation going. Though... I don't want to debate you on my opinions. Haha.
No, seriously. I'll kill you.