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Captain Jack Sparrow and his band of scurvy dogs sailed into theatres this weekend and invaded the box office for a record $132 million -- even if they didn't manage to plunder many plaudits from the critics.
In fact, "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest" proved once again this summer that taking a beating from the critics only heightens the chance that a movie's going to open big. For instance, one of moviedom's most influential critics, Entertainment Weekly's Lisa Schwarzbaum, put the smackdown on "Pirates," calling it "a hellish contraption into which a ticket holder is strapped, overstimulated but unsatisfied, and unable to disengage until the operator releases the restraining harness." Schwarzbaum gave the film a dismal D+ -- and look what happened.
As for other summer hits that were misses with the critics, veteran Rolling Stone critic Peter Travers called "The Da Vinci Code" a "dud," and added that it was "a dreary, droning, dull-witted adaptation." One way, suggested Travers, to silence the film's strident religious protestors was to "have them see the movie. They will fall into a stupor in minutes." Stupor or not, the protestors -- and millions of other people -- did go to see "Da Vinci," and last time we checked (today), the film had grossed over $720 million around the world.
Then there are the critics who appear to live in an alternate universe, like the Las Vegas Review-Journal's Carol Cling. Writing about "Superman Returns," which had been touted as a potential record-breaker but fell about, oh, $60 million short, Cling wrote, "There's more than one airplane zooming around, but they're specks on the horizon compared to the return of a beloved movie franchise that actually lives up to its blockbuster potential."
And it only gets more puzzling and awkward from there: "After such hype machines as "Mission: Impossible III" and "The Da Vinci Code" landed in theaters -- with a thud -- some of us wondered whether the whole concept of big-bang-boom summer popcorn blasts had become obsolete...Even 'X-Men: The Last Stand' proved underwhelming."
Maybe what happens in Vegas really does stay in Vegas, because the three films that Ms. Cling refers to as landing "with a thud" and "underwhelming" have brought in a paltry $1.5 billion in ticket sales worldwide.
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And they are laughing all the way to the bank Schwarzbaum who ever the hell YOU are. We need more movies like POC in which kids and adults can watch together and both are actually very entertained. My six year old LOVES to play Jack Sparrow at home, in the grocery, on our boat- anywhere, all the time. Soundtrack blasting in the car, on the boat, and at home. Johnny Deep is briliant and esp. with this character. He has made it all his own and it would not be POC without his outstanding creativity and talent. We saw POC1 twice at the movies, own it on DVD and have seen POC2 three times at the movies and will also own it as well. I can not say enough good about Johnny Deep. Besides being the sexiest man alive in my eyes, he is also extremely talented. I think I have seen every movie he has ever done.
Oh, my. Yes I was overstimulated and unsatisfied ONLY because I wasn't the one being held and kissed by Johnny. I truly love him for all he is.
I saw him in NYC when he was doing the David Letterman show. He looked absolutely fantastic! He looks great no matter what he wears and I think he has a very unique style.
It was kind of funny though, I was with my sisters and my friends, i was sitting on someone's car! [laughs] I couldn't reach him though, so my friend got him to sign my magazine. I think he's really nice, because he signed something for almost everyone there! Well, except my sister. She had a red pirates shirt for him to sign. I hope she can get it signed next year. I can't wait to see the third POTC movie!!
We loved it. We've been following all the rumors, spoilers, behind the scenes stuff and bloopers on wherestherum.com. When we saw the movie it was a pleasant surprise to see they were right on every aspect too.
I think a couple of actors finally proved their worth and that I will be first in line to get to the next movie. Arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
Let's see... it's summer, kids are out and wanting to see movies, probably the biggest population segment that is willing to shell out $10 to see a movie NOW (at least they're able to convince their parents of that). The 8 year old to teen LOVED the first movie and is dying to see the second (and couldn't care at all what some adult writes about the movie). And there's not much competition. Translation - box office smash! Maybe, and I mean maybe, if kids get lost in the second, their pirate fever for the third will be less. But I mean, come on - think demographics (I'm sure Jerry Bruckheimer does).
The first part of the movie was pretty entertaining, but I think the part about the monsters on the ship was a bit over the top. I think it would have been more interesting if it was made without monsters, and a stonger plot and story line. Most of it seemed to revolve around the map of the key, and treasure chest. It really seemed like the movie needed more than that. I liked the action, and some parts were pretty funny. I think the acting was good, and Johnny Depp is adorable even as a grubby pirate with gold teeth. I brought three kids ages 8, 9 and ten. When I asked them how they liked the movie, they replied "it was okay." But in comparison to this years movie Superman it wasn't even a contest. I had to take them twice to see that one, they loved it! But anyway this movie will do well because Johnny Depp is in it, and kids love the"Pirates' movies! Good review or bad review it doesn't matter.... they are selling those tickets like crazy!
I am a huge Johnny Depp fan and had such high hopes for this film. I enjoyed it but, was slightly disappointed. Too much over stimulation is right on the money. All the computer generated stuff was just over the top its like they were trying to over do it. The first one was a million times better and Jacks character just seemed to settle into an old boring routine.. he was hot but, to me just predictable. I hope its back to basics for the next one.
I bought 1st one on dvd(never having seen it)will do so with 2nd and 3rd one and so on! I say ARRRRRRRGGGGGGGHHHHHH------KEEP EM COMING!
The movie's not bad. Two and-a-half out of four. Some of the action sequences are impressive, but they do tend draaaag on a bit too long. Whereas Titanic flew by at 194 minutes, POTC gets you readjusting your rear the last 40 minutes.
And all for that ending?! Reminded me of Empire Strikes Back, a bridge to the next episode, but not nearly as entertaining.
Loved this show! Johnny Depp is super as the Keith Richards inspired pirate! Critics? Who needs 'em? Just go see some hilarious, witty, best animation, scenery, lines, and everything else you expect from a movies, NOW!!!!
The box office from this past weekend proves that most people will see what they want to regardless of what the critics say. Most of those critics have never produced,directed or acted in a film of any kind,yet feel qualified to critique films. Go figure.
if you liked the first "Pirates" you'll probably like this one. It is a bit too long ,but pretty entertaining overall.
WE LOVED !!! CAN NOT WAIT UNTIL THE 3RD ONE. I LOVED THE LITTLE REFERENCES OF JOKES IN THIS ONE REFERING TO THE 1ST ONE.
LIKE "HIDE THE RUM" AS ELIZABETH COMES ONTO THE SHIP.
OR WHEN JACK CALLED HER A "PIRATE" IN THE END.
LITTLE INUENDOS AS THAT.
The critics are supposed to review a film to help people think about going or not going to a movie. Lately after reading the reviews, I wonder if they saw the same moive, I did. I have come to a point that if some reviewers hate a film , that's the one I want to see, and if they like it, I would skip it. I already saw Superman, X-men, Pirates, and Da Vinci. All 4 will be on my DVD list when they come out.
This not a new problem I remember this when "Star Wars IV" came out the same year as "Last Emperor of China". All the critics hated Star Wars and loved the other, but how many people have "China" at home? This happen in 1974.
