Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest

World-Building: Great
Characterization: Awesome
Plot: Great

This is the second installment of Pirates of the Caribbean and while there are some new things that were very annoying - like the whole cannibal episode - there were also some improvements over the last one. The most noticeable improvement is in the characters of Will and Elizabeth. I mentioned in my last review that their story was what anchored the whole thing, but this time it shows even more. These characters are more interesting and more driven now that they've had some pirating experience and are on the run from the East India Company. I think there's also a slight, but noticeable, improvement in Orlando Bloom and Keira Knightley's acting.

Jack is the same old Jack played brilliantly by Johnny Depp. Like last time he has his own motivations, but this time instead of getting his ship back his motivation is staying alive/escaping Davy Jones. And again, he'll do almost anything to achieve his goal, including risk the lives of those around him.

One of the great improvements was the Davy Jones storyline. It brings this movie more solidly into the genre and shows us a new version of the undead. Davy Jones and his crew of sea-creature-men is awesome in a creepy kind of way.

Some have complained that the plot becomes convoluted in the second and third PoTC movies, but I never saw why. Just like the first movie this one relies on the story of Will and Elizabeth to keep it grounded while following many different motivations and plotlines. It's realistic. It's also a trend that's becoming very common in the genre. It's now common to pick up a fantasy book with over 6 POVs and in my opinion this is a good thing. The speculative genre shouldn't be restricted to the limited perspective of just one "main" character.

As I mentioned there are some very annoying things like the cannibals and the stupid dog with the keys and the Jack/Elizabeth plotline, but overall it's a great movie in which the characters show some development and do interesting things.

I especially liked the angle they took with Norrington and the East India Company guy, Lord Cutler Beckett. He's a much more frightening villain and I like Norrington's constant sarcasm and pessimism when he's with the pirates.

I would highly recommend this movie just like the first, but be prepared to watch the third movie as well because this one will not give you a satisfying ending.