The second installment of the Pirates franchise clocks in just a few minutes longer than the first movie, but in some ways it seems quite a bit longer. Perhaps we’ve become used to Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp, in the role he was born to play), or perhaps it just went on too long. One thing is sure, and that’s that the visuals are superb.

From the opening sounds of the lonely pirate singing, you are whisked off to a world of adventure with Captain Jack. Unfortunately it gets a bit bogged down after that. There’s an adventure on an island which, while fun, could probably be dropped in its entirety without affecting the rest of the movie one bit. The movie then drags for a while before another fun bit that goes on and on and on. And then it goes on some more.

Read the rest of this entry »

Adam Sandler generally isn’t the first actor you think of when it comes to dramatic performances, and this isn’t really a dramatic role, but he did a pretty decent job. Sure, there are moments. There are references to his other films, whether it’s the inclusion of his buddies or names or what-have-you. But there are also moments where he and Drew Barrymore really do fine job of making things work.

Henry Roth (Sandler) is something of a serial liar. He works at the aquarium, but you wouldn’t know it if you were to happen across him in a bar. He tells women that he works for the CIA – or just about any other secret organization – in order to avoid having to call them. He only dates tourists, so that they will leave at the end of their trip and he doesn’t have to see them again. Ever. But that changes when he meets Lucy (Barrymore) one morning at breakfast.

Read the rest of this entry »