by Zack Mandell

Created on: December 19, 2010

Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean “Curse of the Black Pearl” and “Dead Man’s Chest” are both great movies.  Each high-sea adventure has mysterious twists and turns that feature the main character captain Jack Sparrow. So which one is superior? “Dead Man’s Chest” beats “Curse of the Black Pearl” hands down because of the computer graphics, action packed fights, comical acting, and strange plot.

            The computer graphics in “Dead Man’s Chest” are a better quality than the first installment because they actually look as if Davy Jones (Bill Nighy) is real. It seems you could actually stand next to the man and his tentacles would feel slimy when they touch you. The only thing comparable to this in “of the Black Pearl” is when captain Barbossa (Geoffrey Rush) walks out into the moon light and he changes from his human form into a skeleton. That moment in “Curse of the Black Pearl” is the only time that it is comparable to “Dead Man’s Chest” in terms of computer graphics.

            “Dead Man’s Chest” is also better because of all the action packed fights throughout the entire movie. It’s the first time that Elizabeth Swan (Keira Knightley) gets to fight like a man using a sword and not like a sissy princess using a candlestick. It’s also the first time when the characters have a three way sword fight. This happens when Turner (Bloom), Norrington (Jack Davenport), and Sparrow (Jonny Depp) fight over Davy Jone’s key to his chest on the large moving wheel.        The only memorable fight from “Curse of the Black Pearl” is when Turner and Sparrow sword fight in the Blacksmiths Post, over whether or not Sparrow should escape the British. Overall, “Dead Man’s Chest” has more sword fights to make the movie interesting and more appealing to action moviegoers.

Another thing that makes “Dead Man’s Chest” better than “Curse of the Black Pearl,” is the comical acting. Sparrow’s personality is shown more through his feelings and actions. This is seen when he runs from the cannibals across the bridge with his feet failing in the air and when he kisses Elizabeth (Knightley) at the end. Elizabeth’s personality is also brought out more when she dresses as a man so she can search for Will. This shows how she will do anything for her lover. Will’s character is also brought out more when he keeps his promise to his father. It shows how devoted one person can be.

            Also, making “Dead Man’s Chest” superior to “Curse of the Black Pearl” is the strange plot that keeps getting stranger. At one moment Sparrow is being chased down by Cannibals, the next William Turner being freed if he can find Sparrow and his compass, at the same time Norrington is trying to find Davy Jone’s chest, and Elizabeth is trying to free Will with a deal to Lord Beckett. The list keeps going on and on which makes the movie interesting to watch over and over again because each time you’ll realize something you hadn’t before. Overall, “Dead Man’s Chest” is better than “Curse of the Black Pearl” because the plot keeps you thinking and you can’t really predict what will happen next. Hopefully “On Stranger Tides” will be just as exciting as “Dead Man’s Chest.”

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