Cutthroat Island (PG-13, 1995)

This swashbuckling tale follows the adventures of lady pirate Morgan (Geena Davis), whose mortally wounded father bequeaths her his ship and crew, and tells her the location of the hidden map before he expires. But ambitious and greedy pirate Uncle Dawg (Frank Langella) is also after he fabulous treasure of plundered Spanish gold hidden on uncharted Cutthroat Island, and thus begins a booty-fueled race between Morgan and Dawg. Morgan needs a Latin scholar who can translate the map, so she buys one at a (white) slave auction of colonial prisoners. Enter the dashing Shaw (Matthew Modine), a con-artist thief who becomes Morgan's love interest.

With massive sailing-ships and port cities in Malta and Thailand, the high-budget Cutthroat Island is a giddy swashbuckling pirate adventure that never stops moving with the action-cliffhangers (it's perfect for widescreen viewing). Aside from size and cost, the film's major difference from most other Hollywood pirate swashbucklers is that it's a roguish lass wielding the cutlass. Commendably, even with hunky Shaw on board, Morgan remains the take-charge central figure.

Still, Davis doesn't seem to know whether to play it straight or comedic, even though she throws her all physically into the demanding role. Kids might especially like Morgan's expressive pet monkey. Parents might not favor her lifestyle, with its glorified drinking and (non-explicit) action-hero sex. But the films opens up discussion about real female pirates, such as Anne Bonny and Mary Read.

Studio: Artisan Entertainment
Director: Renny Harlin
Cast: Frank Langella, Geena Davis, Matthew Modine, Maury Chaykin
Genre: Action/Adventure
Run time: 118 minutes
Theatrical release: December 22, 1995
DVD release: May 22, 2007
MPAA Rating: PG-13
MPAA explanation: some strong pirate action/violence and brief sensuality