by Donna Cooper

Created on: May 16, 2008

Finally! A "Third" film that actually lives up to the hype! Unlike Spiderman 3, and Shrek the Third, At World's End does it's job!

Despite the abundance of negative reviews that have earned it a rotten tomato status, I feel Walt Disney's Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End was, so far, one of the best movies I've seen this year. (I'm still holding out hope for the fifth installment of Harry Potter.)

Of course, if you're not looking at it from an Oscar Contenders standpoint (which, by the way, it has been nominated in the past), and you look at it for pure entertainment value, then you won't be disappointed.

No, it isn't a hard-hitting drama that draws you into the characters deepest darkest moments. And no, it isn't some cinematic feat that people will be cooing about come awards season (well, it might). It is, however, an epic action-adventure flick that will keep you entertained from beginning to end.

I will agree with the critics on one thing, and one thing only. The story was a might hard to follow with all the piratease and Tia Dalma (the creepy voodoo woman), who is often incoherent. But, if you concentrate on the movie you'll get it. Plus, it's worth watching just for Captain Jack and the amazing cinematography. Not once through out the movie did it look fake or hokey.

Stone crabs. That's all I'll say about that.

Will Turner's story becomes tangled and complex with leftovers from the second film that come to the surface and battle it out in grand pirate fashion, while Elizabeth Swann tries to find her place in the predominately male pirate world.

Through out the movie we learn about the tug-of-war that is pirate loyalty and just plain pirates being pirates. They often go back and forth on their word and it's hard to tell if they are double-crossing their pirate partners or if they are double-double-crossing the evil Lord Cutler Beckett. It's hard to keep track because everyone is making deals behind each other's backs, for their own benefitor are they?

We learn more of why Davy Jones became squidman and who Tia Dalma really is. Viewers are also treated to many more sides of Captain Jack Sparrow. As soon as you think you know where his loyalties lie, he reminds you that he's a pirate. The love hate relationship between Jack and Will seems to reach an sour note this time around, but it's not at all what it appears. Keith Richards made a delightful appearance as Captain Teague, a frightening old pirate who bears an uncanny resemblance to Jack. Could this be Captain Jack's pap?

All in all, it was a jolly good time! Viewers weren't left hanging this time around as everything was neatly wrapped up by the end of the movie. Although, they did leave room for the possibility of another film, undoubtedly involving the Pirates continuing search for immortality.

There are many things to love about this movie, and only a few that could take a swim with the fishes. It was certainly worth the $10 bucks I spent on the ticket and a large diet coke (I don't know how I managed that). In fact, I'm tempted to pay the theater another visit for more Pirates!

Pirates of the Caribbean clocked in at 2 hours and 45 minutes and was worth every second. I give this movie 4.5 golden pens out of 5.

PS~Make sure you stay through the credits as there are more bonus clips! I missed them, so now I must see it again to catch what I missed.

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