Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End (PG-13, 2007)

common sense media says

Swashbuckling action, but too many puzzling plots.


parents & educators say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this installment of the Pirates franchise is packed with more death, action, and violence than most superhero flicks -- from the grim opening sequence in which Caribbean civilians (including a young boy) are led to the gallows to the climactic swashbuckling showdown. Since it's nearly three hours long, younger kids (or those with short attention spans) may not go the distance. And with so many double crosses and betrayals, the plot may even be confusing for adults. That said, thanks to Disney's ubiquitous merchandising and advertising campaigns, even 5-year-olds know who Captain Jack Sparrow is, so chances are your youngest kids will want to see it. But if they do, be prepared for them to wake up with nightmares.

Positive messages: Elizabeth and Tia Dalma are strong, fearless female characters, and the cast of this movie is much more diverse than the previous two. Despite several betrayals, Jack and Will sacrifice what they want most and act selflessly for the greater good. Jack often acts as though he has no morals or ethics, but he's true to a strange code of his own.
Violence: Characters are hanged -- including a young boy -- and their dead bodies are shown in a pile. Lots of pirates, British soldiers, and unlucky seamen are stabbed and blown up -- especially in the final hour. Younger children may be disturbed by the opening gallows sequence and by seeing major characters die.
Sex: Elizabeth and Will kiss passionately. Several scantily dressed pirates' mistresses; a couple is discreetly shown dressing after marital sex, but there's no nudity. Captain Jack loves making sexual innuendos.
Language: Colorful pirate insults.
Consumerism: Nothing in the movie itself, but the entire thing is a giant marketing machine for Disney.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Pirates love their rum, and once again it flows freely.

More on Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about what made kids want to see this movie -- the story or all the product and toy tie-ins. Do kids want something because Captain Jack is connected to it? Why is Jack such an appealing character? And does the movie live up to all the hype? Families can also discuss the Pirates franchise as a whole. Do you think there should be a fourth movie or is this one a good finale? Which movie do you like best, and why?

What's the story?

What's the story?

Captain Jack (Johnny Depp) is back IN PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: AT WORLD'S END, living in the hallucinatory limbo of Davy Jones' Locker. While he's busy seeing imaginary clones of himself, Elizabeth Swann (Keira Knightley), Will Turner (Orlando Bloom), and resurrected Captain Barbossa (Geoffrey Rush) travel to the Singapore. Their goal is to enlist pirate lord Sao Feng (Chow Yun-Fat) to help save Jack and join his fellow captains against the British, who are in control of Davy Jones (Bill Nighy) and his Flying Dutchman crew. But that's just the beginning -- basically, everyone's out for revenge. Will must free his father, Bootstrap Bill (Stellan Skarsgard), from Davy's cursed ship; Elizabeth finds herself an avenging pirate captain; and Barbossa and the mysterious Tia Dalma (Naomie Harris) are also up to no good. But never fear, matey: This is a Jerry Bruckheimer action flick, so everything turns up (mostly) roses. Some major characters die, disintegrate, or what have you, and others are revived. No one quite gets a perfectly happy ending, but at least Keith Richards shows up for a few minutes as Jack's hard-scrabble pirate pop. That tiny bit of perfect casting alone is worth the cost of the ticket.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
There's no denying that the billion-dollar Pirates of the Caribbean franchise is wildly entertaining. But even though AT WORLD'S END -- the series' third and ostensibly final adventure -- is more action-packed than the first two sagas, it's still overlong and bewildering. The movie has so many story developments and double-crossing betrayals that the confusing plot merits an encyclopedic fansite. Even hardcore fans of whodunit mysteries will be puzzled by the number of twists and turns.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: Buena Vista
Director: Gore Verbinski
Cast: Johnny Depp, Keira Knightley, Orlando Bloom
Genre: Action/Adventure
Run time: 168 minutes
Theatrical release: May 24, 2007
DVD release: December 4, 2007
MPAA Rating: PG-13
MPAA explanation: intense sequences of action/adventure violence and some frightening images.
Watch our review

This review was written by Sandie Angulo Chen
 
 

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What parents & educators say

9

Most useful reviews by all members

pen7777
teen, 15 years old
 
Darker and deeper plot
This movie dosnt have as much comedy as the last two, but theres more action and suspense. Still an awesome movie!!

sowhat1111
teen, 14 years old
 
Arrrrgg
Good, but Jack, the pirate and Elisabeth kiss. And Gibbs drinks alot. But it's an awesome movie!!!!

buuuuuub
kid, 9 years old
 
this movie is for ages 10 and up
i LOVED it. There is iffy stuff for ages 9.But it is on for ages 10 and up.

bananalover
teen, 16 years old
 
the best one yet!!!!
the best one yet.

 
If you love pirates, this one is for you!
Excellent movie - lots of twists to the plot! Had to have seen the second one to understand this one - but it was great! Incredible special effects! Definitely one to own when it comes on on DVD!!! Five stars all the way!

hulkvswolverine
kid, 13 years old
 
awsome pirates movie
this is the best out of the three. nothing really that bad in it and johnny depp is really funny.i recommand this for kids 9+.

Smartface
kid, 9 years old
 
Best in the series!!!!!
A little violent, but best in the series.AWSOME!!!!!!!!!

back2schoolboo
parent of 10 and 15 year old
 
Yuck!
-the first 5 minutes made me want to throw up -picture me watching this movie with a huge "?" above my head -Within an hour of the movie, more people were killed than how many people would be dead in a nuclear bombing -I could only watch on hour it was so bad -I really liked the first two movies and I will never know what happened

 
GREAT!
This was a great follow-up to 2006's "Dead Man's Chest". The movie was plenty funny, with great action, and a little bit of romance. Alright for 6+, the only thing really questionable is the hanging at the start and Davey Jone's Crew.

sek98
teen, 14 years old
 
A really good, funny, confusing movie.
Pirates of the Caribbean is really good! Johnny Depp and Orlando Bloom make the movie even better. It is the most confusing out of all of the movies. And you probably need to watch it a couple times. Disney is really good with the violence and how to make it as kid friendly as possible. It isn't bad with the violence at the first part where they are hanging everybody. They don't show anything. All in all, it is a really good movie.

theshark
kid, 12 years old
 
excellent, but violent and pretty disturbing
i think it is great, but very violent. the blood is minimal, but the violence isnt. there are a few disturbing images that would scare kids, but the good thing is it isnt as gory as the first or second

9001
teen, 15 years old
 
Great movie, but a little scary.
I saw this movie when I was 10, and the scene with Davy Jones sticking his tenticles through a guy's mouth and then out of his nose scared me. This movie has some frightening images and a lot of violence. Depending on what your child can handle, I'd say this movie is age appropriate for 12-13+ year olds.

clone4-55
teen, 16 years old
 
great movie
a great movie :) my fave of all the 3 movies,because this is the most violent movie. it's also funny , but the PG-13 suits perfect. not for kids under 12 or 13 years for sure.

OldBob13
teen, 16 years old
 
Honestly, it wasn't logical to make another sequel
Pirates of the Caribbean is living proof that a Disney theme park ride can be changed into a multi-million dollar franchise, thanks to producer Jerry Bruckheimer. The first two were passable, but this thrid entry is downright awful. Where do I begin? Maybe with the overused special effects. Or perhaps the nonsensical plot. Or what about the bad potrayal of major characters? Any way you look at it, Pirates 3 is a bad action flick. Johnny Depp plays Jack Sparrow well, but that's definetly not enough to save this mess. Plus, it's just plain confusing. Why would a man who gives his heart away be turned into a slug thing? What is Jack Sparrow's purpose at the end of the day? Why is a movie like this even made? Questions I just can't answer. Just please don't watch it. Content issues: there is quite a bit of adventure violence, as well as a passing reference to sex, some salty language, and lots of rum drinking. Best reserved for preteens and up.

movie fan141999
kid, 12 years old
 
whell miss swan is told to tack off her clothing and lots of blood and harts and blowing people up and sex

ClearastheSea
teen, 16 years old
 
A personal favorite
Aww, come on, commonsense. This movie does NOT have too many puzzling plots, especially if viewers have seen the first two films. The actors do a great job and so do the film crew and director. Great balance of action and storyline.

keira knightly fan
kid, 11 years old
 
perfect for people who like tongue and cheek humor and scary adventure with female lead
I loved it because I love adventure and scary movies. I am 11 years old but for some people it would be better to watch in 13-18 years old.

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