The DVD Dissection: Pirates of the Caribbean - At World's End (2 Disc Collector's Edition) Review
Posted by Chad Webb on 12.04.2007
The new “Collector’s Edition” Pirates DVD has arrived, but how does it stack up?
Johnny Depp: Captain Jack Sparrow
Geoffrey Rush: Barbossa
Orlando Bloom: Will Turner
Keira Knightley: Elizabeth Swann
Jack Davenport: Norrington
Bill Nighy: Davy Jones
Jonathan Pryce: Governor Weatherby Swann
Lee Arenberg: Pintel
Mackenzie Crook: Raghetti
Kevin McNally: Gibbs
Stellan Skarsgard: Bootstrap Bill Turner
Tom Hollander: Lord Cutler Beckett
Naomi Harris: Tia Dalma
Chow Yun Fat: Captain Sao Feng
Directed By Gore Verbinski
Theatrical Release Date: May 25, 2007
DVD Release Date: December 4, 2007
Running Time: 168 minutes
Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of action/adventure violence and some frightening images.
The Film
May Contain Spoilers
The ship that is the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise has always been forced to paddle against the current. Now that the third installment, of what was envisioned as a trilogy, is finished, the results are positive. Critics sank their fangs into its body and gnawed away, but the mixed reception is not a shock. Unless sequels are deepened on a level that is satisfactory, and the sense of fun is diminished considerably, many of them just dismiss it as forgettable summer fare. Pirates of the Caribbean is not a trilogy comparable to Lord of the Rings, but keep in mind, this is based on a theme park ride, not the written works of J.R.R. Tolkien. At World's End is a glorious and invigorating conclusion for this saga.
I still maintain that Pirates of the Caribbean is the Indiana Jones for this generation. It is pure escapist delight that fulfills the masses on virtually every level. The crew at hand wanted to raise the stakes without overstuffing their boundaries, or overly convoluting the story. They succeeded, and have completed as solid a series as one should hope for. All the questions have been answered, and all the necessary sub-plots ran their course. The Pirates tale is parallel to the Back to the Future trilogy. Obviously the first film is the best, but parts two and three are just as fabulous, and have noticeable entertaining qualities that are unquestionably memorable.
At the end of Dead Man's Chest, Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) was killed by the Kraken. Now, Will (Orlando Bloom), Elizabeth (Keira Knightley), Tia Dalma (Naomi Harris), and Captain Barbossa (Geoffrey Rush) must travel to the land of the dead to rescue Jack, and assemble the pirate lords from every corner of the planet. Since Jack did not appoint a successor before he died, his presence is imperative at this congregation. Due to the fact that Lord Cutler Beckett (Tom Hollander) holds the heart of Davy Jones (Bill Nighy), he forces him into an reluctant alliance. The two control the seas with the Flying Dutchman, and seek a way to eliminate all pirates from existence. Despite uncertainty of who stands on what side of the playing field, the pirates prepare for one final epic encounter against the East India Trading Company.
The opening minutes are wonderfully eerie. As Beckett sends all pirates, anyone ever affiliated with them, or anybody having ever associated with them to be hanged until death, one young boy approaches the platform singing a song. It is this tune which prompts the Brethren Pirate Court to gather at once. Following this scene, a coin drops while the title appears on screen. The audience at the showing I attended was at a hush silence. At that moment, I had a feeling At World's End would be a bit different.
The most evident alteration is the action. Regardless of a small skirmish that commenced the festivities, and the exhilarating finale, the bulk centers on the characters, giving each of them a chance to shine. It seems many reviewers are throwing temper tantrums due to the increase of dialogue and concentration on a storyline. The removal of countless stunt work and sword fighting was risky, but essential. It gives Dead Man's Chest an identity of its own. The rumors of a fourth adventure are still anyone's guess, so At World's End had the task of not only adequately amplifying the excitement, but also crafting absorbing new plot threads, and closing the series in a way that moviegoers would be contented. At nearly three hours in length, all is accomplished fairly well. Make no mistake, this is not a masterpiece, but it does meet expectations.
The general theme for this phase is betrayal. Each person has their own agenda, and no one really knows for sure who is loyal, who is lying to suit their needs, and where their allegiances lie. I could attempt to clarify and untangle what transpires, but on paper, it would not just be too long, but rather confusing. Will wants to save his father, Beckett is balancing deals to wipe out the pirates, Barbossa wants to free the Goddess Calypso, Norrington is stuck obeying orders, and Jack wants the Pearl. Meanwhile Elizabeth tags along for the trip. That was a brief summary of what's on everyone's mind, but you get the idea.
The first time viewers see Johnny Depp in his iconic role, he is aboard the Black Pearl on a white, barren piece of land in Davy Jones's locker. Suffering from hallucinations, Jack leads a crew of numerous other Jack Sparrows, only the ship isn't sailing anywhere. I was reminded of that scene in Being John Malkovich. Coming back from the dead has substantial side effects, and these delusions would remain with Jack throughout the escapade. It was strange, but funny. Depp is still in prime form as Captain Jack Sparrow. His lines are terrific, and his eccentric mannerisms continue to hold the structure in place. It is not about the performance anymore. The chief concern is whether or not the fascination with Jack persists. Fortunately, his power has not been damaged, or watered down.
Will Turner marks the most interesting and pleasing journey over the three films. He is not the flamboyant and romantic swordsman anymore. At World's End reveals a darker, more organized individual. He still wants to marry Elizabeth, but he has other priorities, and does not rely on her approval. Orlando Bloom is more enjoyable, more tolerable, and more convincing this time around that he ever has been. Bloom has grown and matured as an actor, much like Will Turner has in the story. I found that I was actually mesmerized by his involvement.
This is almost Keira Knightley's show. The significance of her character has intensified dramatically. Knightley's portrayal of Elizabeth Swann has gradually turned into one of the more captivating female heroine's in recent years. It was somewhat startling that Elizabeth became a Captain. The romance between Elizabeth and Will is on shaky ground, but it was dealt with sufficiently after the events of Dead Man's Chest. She is still sexy and forceful, but it is easier to care about Elizabeth and the obstacles that bounce her way.
Geoffrey Rush is fantastic as Barbossa. The amounts of humor he and his irreplaceable monkey lend to the proceedings are stupendous. As the veteran leader and former Pearl Captain, his knowledge of procedure and pirate law is progressively engrossing. It is the stride, the accent, and the facial expressions that are so superb about Rush's contribution. Bill Nighy is not just a tentacle-faced villain. He is a three-dimensional creature that was cursed, and a poignant and sensitive side to his personality is exposed. I loved the shot of his normal human features.
For the small part he was given, Jack Davenport does wonders with Norrington. By not ignoring these minor, yet crucial characters, and also improving them in certain areas, the potency of At World's End is made abundantly clear. Norrington is refreshingly compelling. Lord Cutler Beckett is one area that was overlooked however. He is depicted as a mere paper-thin foe for the pirates. Bill Nighy enabled us to be sympathetic towards Davy Jones, but Tom Hollander has no room to breathe with Beckett. The addition of Chow Yun-Fat as Captain Sao Feng from Singapore was neat, but too succinct. His presence at the Brethren Court meeting would have been a bonus.
At World's End can be easily recommended due to so many devastatingly beautiful scenes. Director Gore Verbinski and company have crafted a masterful combination of live-action and CGI. If they do not receive the Oscar, a crime will have been committed. When Captain Jack is retrieved from Davy Jones's locker, the crew needs to figure out how to get back to the land of the living. They pass through a creepy, but cool, body of water with endless amounts of dead bodies. Shortly thereafter, a dazzling sequence occurs in which they tip over the boat completely rendering a spectacular side view. This was simply genius. Another instance has the Pearl sailing at night in a breathtaking moment where the stars in the sky fill the sea. Ship Wreck's Cove was also a special effects sensation where a virtuoso shot of the island is revealed with ships stacked on top of one another. The funniest scene has Jack, Barbossa, and the rest of the gang pointing their guns at each other. They pull their triggers and hear only clicking since the powder was wet.
Gore Verbinski has worked his magic in magnificent fashion, and outdone himself in more ways that you can imagine. Take for example a scene that Sergio Leone would be proud of where Jack, Barbossa, and Elizabeth meet their enemies on a small patch of sand in the middle of the ocean. This was perhaps unnecessary, but it was effective and just plain awesome nonetheless. Similar to Dead Man's Chest, the pacing is a bit off, but that is a trivial complaint. The further expansion of the Calypso character was stimulating, and I was anxiously awaiting her arrival, but it is disappointing to say the least. The appearance of a giant was quite goofy, and thankfully it was short. No doubt this will be the primary flaw for most people. After so many years of grueling hours, day in and day out, Mr. Verbinski and his stellar team all deserve a break, and should give themselves a hearty pat on the back as the millions are raked in.
The score provided by Hans Zimmer is exceptional and stirring. His music swells at each key scene, and queues us to feel a specific emotion. It satiates the background, and creates a mind-blowing outcome at the end when those two ships are furiously circling each other in battle. Ted Elliot and Terry Rossio had the daunting mission of carrying out a screenplay that would make everyone happy. While a bit overwhelming at times, the one-liners and twists were extraordinary. The list of names in the effects departments is literally a mile long, and if I could, I would type every single name. That is how good the CGI is.
When the lights went out, and I sat through what felt like 20 trailers, and eventually became hypnotized by the film, I had forgotten about what I was really anticipating. It was Keith Richards, and his extremely hyped entrance as Captain Teague, the father of Captain Jack Sparrow. I had read an interview in Rolling Stone magazine with Johnny Depp and Keith Richards, who discussed his participation, among other things. I was amazed that it had slipped my mind 5 minutes into the beginning. The theater erupted, and I can safely say he was a treat to watch. With four years worth of swashbuckling analogies under my belt, I am ready to move on, hang up the costume, retire my sword, and stash away the old eye patch. This is a victorious achievement, and an honorable way to dock the ship, and award these pirates an extended vacation.
The hidden extra after the credits indicates a sequel is brewing. The credits are long, but the wait is worthwhile just to understand what everyone will be talking about on the internet. This is not a perfect movie, or a final installment which will be nominated for Best Picture, but it is very good regardless.
The Video
If there is one section you can count on above the extras, it is the technical specifications, which Disney always delivers on. Pirates 3 is the most visually breathtaking of the trilogy with some of the best images put to the screen in years I would argue. The picture is completely clear and free of grain, blurs, and fuzziness. Considering that a lot of this takes place at night, it is amazing how great it looks. The detail is impressive, the contrasts are more than satisfying, and the tone levels are terrific. I already discussed key scenes which cause your eyes to pop out of your head in my review, so let's just say the DVD does not diminish the experience much at all. This is presented with an aspect ratio of 2.35:1.
The Audio
You can't go wrong with the sound either. This is the reason DVD journalists love their jobs. Pirates 3 has enough sequences with explosions, gun barrels firing, and swords clanging that your speakers will want a break after the film is finished. This will get the bass working overtime, and as a matter of fact the Dolby Digital 5.1 track is just fantastically rendered in each speaker channel. The audio is sharp, potent, and even, while the music is bombastic and penetrating. Every character is of course understandable despite the pirate lingo being spoken. You'll find the volume knob resting comfortably at a normal position. There is a Dolby Digital 5.1 track in Spanish, as well as subtitles in English and Spanish.
The Packaging
Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End is distributed in a slim double keep case with a slip sleeve cardboard cover on top of that. The artwork is the same for both, and it has the floating heads cast type thing going on. The security clips on the sides are in place also. Inside are booklets galore. One has chapter listings, trivia, and an easy guide for navigation. Another mini pamphlet is a catalogue of sorts for Pirates toys and junk, and the last one is an advertisement for Disney DVD's. The menus are easy to navigate, and like the previous DVD's they are very cool.
The Extras
DISC 1
Disney Montage (:51) - A short introduction featuring the legacy of Disney.
Sneak Peeks (9:49) - The following trailers are included: 101 Dalmations DVD, National Treasure: Book of Secrets, High School Musical 2, Underdog, and The Game Plan. The remainder is a preview of the Pirates saga on Blu-Ray, and the Pirates on-line game.
Bloopers of the Caribbean (5:23) - These are quite funny, especially since Depp stays in character most of the time. Geoffrey Rush supplies some amusing moments as well.
DISC 2
Keith & the Captain: On the Set with Johnny and the Rock Legend (4:40) - For such a long title, this featurette was remarkably short. They inform us that Sparrow was partially based on Keith Richards, and proceed to show his arrival, him playing the guitar, and so forth. Interviews are given with cast and crew members. This was entertaining. Depp and Richards seemed to get along well.
Anatomy of a Scene (19:30) - If you buy this and only watch one extra, make it this. That climactic scene at the end is broken down from start to finish, and the enormity of the construction needs to be seen to be believed. I wouldn't want to spoil too much as my review cannot express it nearly as good as simply watching it. The bulk of it was filmed in a warehouse, and in the end they said the film contained over 2000 special effects shots. Again plenty of interviews from the crew and Producer Jerry Bruckheimer can be found.
The Tale of Many Jacks (4:48) - When we first see Captain Jack, he has gone a bit wacky, and this just quickly explains how they pulled off the multiple Jack sequence. Gore Verbinksi said it was one of the weirder days, but fun. I can see the dreadlock set must have been bizarre as well.
Deleted Scenes - Only two were cut, but luckily they have optional commentary from Mr. Verbinski. The first is "I Like Riddles" (:55) and the second is "Two Captains, One Ship" (1:29). Both are extremely funny, but it evident why they were kept out. Neither served a purpose.
The World of Chow Yun Fat (4:13) - The title kind of says it all right? Chow Yun Fat speaks in his native tongue, but the subtitles are easy to follow. A friend reveals why the Chinese became pirates, and goes on to praise Yun Fat's work ethic and optimism. I like Chow Yun Fat, so this was neat.
The Pirate Maestro: The Music of Hans Zimmer (10:32) - The unstoppable composer Hans Zimmer conjured some new themes for this installment including "New Love Suite" as the main one. He worked with 80 musicians, and this in depth glimpse shows he and Verbinski working side by side. Zimmer talks a lot about his part in the film. It was interesting to see Gore Verbinski play the guitar here.
Masters of Designs - This is divided into six mini featurettes, and the first is "James Byrkit: Sao Feng's Map" (6:18). It covers all facets in making this map intriguing from the codes to the artwork on it. "Crash McCreery: The Cursed Crew" (5:24) is second. He chats about conceptualizing Jones' crew from human to fish and shows drawings. "Rick Heinrichs: Singapore" (5:13) is basically some info on constructing the set from sketches and how it was influenced. "Penny Rose: Teague's Costume" (3:37) is fourth, and she elaborately describes each minor aspect of the costume Keith Richards wore, and how she joined him while on tour. "Kris Peck: The Code Book" (5:20) exposes this mans strenuous task of pleasing Bruckheimer and Verbisnki with such small details of this book which we see for a second. All highlighted the individual contributions of the workers wonderfully.
Hoist the Colours (4:41) - This illustrates how and why they concocted the song at the beginning where the boy sings, thus making all pirates raise their flags and join forces. This has enjoyable interviews with Hans Zimmer among others.
Inside the Brethren Court - This is a bonus you will only unearth on the Pirates DVD's. It features a dish with specific pieces that the eight pirate lords held and had to present at any meeting. You must click on the pieces to see a brief segment on the characters and the significance of the item they possess. Navigate carefully through here because it is easy to overlook one. There are 9 lords, but 10 things to click on: Captain Jack Sparrow, Barbossa, Vallenueva of Spain, Mistress Ching, Capitaine Chevalle, Sri Sumbhajee, Sao Feng, Elizabeth Swann, Armand the Corsair, and Jocard.
Easter Eggs - This disc has a bunch of golden nuggets to discover at the bottom of the menu pages. One is one drummer Simon Phillips and his history. Another shows the shooting of Sparrow and his special peanut. The third is an animatic of a missing scene involving Will and Barbossa, and the last is a time lapse of the construction of the Singapore set. I realized after further navigation, certain eggs can viewed with a PC, and others on a standard DVD player.
The Film: 8.0/10.0
The Video: 9.0/10.0
The Audio: 10.0/10.0
The Packaging: 8.0/10.0
The Extras: 8.5/10.0
The 411: The Pirates of the Caribbean DVD’s have gone from excellent to pretty good, and while that may not seem like much, it has made a difference. This one includes no commentaries compared to The Curse of the Black Pearl which had multiple. Overall though, Disney and company have done a bang up job of loading snazzy extras onto two discs. The real reason to buy this is the superb audio and video transfers. The film itself still rests as a great ending to the trilogy. I maintain hope that this goes no further. I would definitely pick this edition up over the mediocre single disc version. The five bucks extra are worth it for the bonuses that show just how much work went into the production.
