Guest Author - Kirsten Olsen-Keyser

Just when the 2007 summer blockbuster season seemed to be on a downward spiral, Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End redeemed the action adventure/fantasy genre with swords blazing. Much like the second film, AWE is a complex story with triple and quadruple crossings happening across the board. Witty, stylish and well paced, the fun never stops making this three hour long movie seem too short.

All of the characters from the first two films are present along with some new faces. Chow Yun-Fat plays Sao Feng, Chinese pirate and captain of the Empress. The character of Sao Feng is based on the real pirate Cheung Po Tsai, a 19the century pirate active along the Guangdong province of southern China during the Qing Dynasty. Sao Feng is one of the nine pirate lords called to the Brethern Court at Shipwreck cove when the East India Company declares all out war on piracy killing even those associated with pirates with no court, jury or remorse. Newly allied Barbossa, Elizabeth and Will seek out Sao Feng for his help with a boat and crew now that Jack and the Black Pearl are trapped in Davy Jones’ Locker. Also joining the cast is the much anticipated arrival of Keith Richards as Captain Jack’s father. While the cameo is superb, Richards does not get as much face time as some fans will be expecting or wanting.

While the story line remains the complex, the needs and wants of the main characters are not. Will seeks to free his father from servitude aboard the Flying Dutchman while struggling with the fact that in order to do so he would have to kill Davy Jones, thus becoming the captain of the Dutchman himself. But will his love for Elizabeth prevent him from making such a harsh choice? Elizabeth is desperate to find Jack and bring him back from the land of dead in order to clear her conscience. But will her decision to let Jack die in the first place interfere with her realtionship with Will? Barbossa is willing to help but is there an alterior motive in his plans? Perhaps to get the Black Pearl back for himself? Jack secretly wants the Dutchman and is more than willing to kill Davy Jones for the chance at sailing the seven seas for all eternity. But will he have to fight Mr. Turner for that position? In between all the turmoil of the main characters, decisions are being made and strings pulled by Governor Swan, Commander Norrington and Lord Beckett and added to that mix is the ultimate love story of betrayel and revenge between Davy Jones and Calypso, goddess of the sea.

Aside from a few over the top moments, AWE is an entertaining romp through high seas and the after life. While not quite as good as the original, this third installment holds up well against the previous two tying up loose ends, deciding the fates of all characters but still leaving a little wiggle room for a fourth film – perhaps sometime in the near future?
One of the most refreshing aspects of this film in general is that it’s ending is not predictable and viewers should be pleasantly surprised if they sit through the credits once again for a brief look into the future. Yo ho and a three bottles of rum to Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End.


Director: Gore Verbinski

Writers: Ted Elliot
Terry Rossio

MPAA Rating: PG-13 for intense violence and disturbing images