Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl - PG-13
Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that there's lots of violence for a PG-13, and while it is not especially graphic, there are images, including the literally skeleton pirate crew and a false eyeball that keeps coming out, that may be disturbing to some viewers. There are some revealing bodices and some mild sexual references, including prostitutes (not explicit and no nudity or sexual situations). There is some strong and colorful pirate language. Characters drink rum and get tipsy.
Families who see this movie could talk about the rules/guidelines distinction and the movie's many broken promises.
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Nell Minow
Avast, me hearties and come hear the tale of a terrible pirate curse.
No, not the one about the curse on pieces of gold that turn anyone into the walking undead, revealed as skeletons when touched by moonlight. This is one about the curse of the pirate movie, which has been known to turn fine actors into eye-rolling, scenery-chomping over-actors and empty the bank accounts of movie studios faster than real-life pirates pillaged their victims.
It takes a lot of courage to take on a pirate movie following notable critical and box-office catastrophes like Roman Polanski's Pirates and Cutthroat Island with Jonathan Pryce) is fascinated by pirates. On their voyage from England, Elizabeth helped rescue a boy named Will Turner. While he was unconscious, she took his gold medallion with a skull and crossbones.
Now grown up, Elizabeth (Bend it Like Beckham's Keira Knightley) is still wearing the medallion and is loved both by Commodore Norrington (Jack Davenport) and by Will (Lord of the Rings heart-throb Orlando Bloom). When the dreaded pirates of the Black Pearl, led by Captain Barbossa (Geoffrey Rush) sack the town, Elizabeth offers them the medallion if they will leave. They take it, and take her, too. Turner takes off in pursuit with the notorious Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp), with Norrington and his men right behind them.
It turns out that the medallion is the last of the cursed pieces of gold that turned Barbossa and his crew into the walking dead, always hungry and thirsty, but unable to eat or drink. By restoring the gold to its chest -- with the right person's blood -- the curse will be removed.
There are advantages, though, in being a pirate who cannot be killed.
Just like the theme park ride that inspired it, the movie's greatest strengths are its atmosphere and art direction. The production design has that splendidly imaginative synthesis of classic book illustrations and some innate collective unconsciousness that gets the essence of every detail right, from the curve of the sail to a pirate's pet monkey. Then come the action sequences, both energetic and entertaining. The script has some nicely creepy twists and some nicely saucy lines. Johnny Depp falls prey to the pirate curse, speaking as though he is recovering from dental surgery and at times seeming to be acting in his own movie completely separate from everyone else. But he is undeniably fun to watch.
Families who enjoy this movie may also enjoy pirate classics like The Crimson Pirate with Burt Lancaster and Errol Flynn's Against All Flags and The Sea Hawk. Fans of pirate movies with truly over-the-top pirate performers must see Robert Newton's definitive Long John Silver in Treasure Island. For a landlubber version, any version of Zorro -- with Antonio Banderas, Guy Williams, or Tyrone Power -- is swashbuckling fun. And every family should watch The Princess Bride. Disney's Shipwrecked is a sort of Home Alone with pirates, a neglected delight starring Gabriel Byrne. Fans of musicals will also like the Gilbert and Sullivan gem The Pirates of Penzance, with Kevin Kline as the Pirate King and the delightful The Pirate with Judy Garland and Gene Kelly.
Rate It!
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Sexual ContentSexual references, prostitutes, revealing bodice. |
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ViolenceA lot of action violence, characters killed. Some images, including the literally skeleton pirate crew and a false eyeball that keeps coming out, that may be disturbing to some viewers. |
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LanguageColorful but strong pirate talk. |
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Social BehaviorStrong female lead character, one strong minority supporting character. If you think an eyeball speared by a fork is funny... |
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CommercialismRemember, this is one big ad for a Disneyland ride. |
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Drug/Alcohol/TobaccoCharacters drink rum, get totally smashed. |
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